There is a little jewel inside Paris. A place where the streets climb uphill, the houses look like they belong in another century, ivy spills over pictoresque façades, and you can turn a corner and suddenly feel as though you've stepped into a French movie.
Welcome to Montmartre.
It's one of my favorite places to photograph couples in Paris, not just because there is beauty in every corner, but because it has a certain feeling to it. A little nostalgic, a little playful, a little imperfect.
Montmartre doesn't ask you to hurry. It invites you to wander. To take the longer way up the hill. To stop because the light falling on a building is too incredible to ignore. To steal a kiss in a quiet street, even if you're not entirely sure where you are.
And when I'm photographing a couple here, that's exactly what I want us to do. Forget about ticking off landmarks for a little while, and immerse yourself in the neighborhood.
So, if you're dreaming of a couple photoshoot in Montmartre, here's how I'd love to spend a little time with you in one of Paris's most charming areas.
1. Lamarck–Caulaincourt: where Montmartre feels like a village
There's something about arriving at metro Lamarck–Caulaincourt that feels different from the rest of Paris. The streets are quieter, the atmosphere is more local, and the neighborhood seems to unfold slowly as you make your way uphill.
It's a lovely place to begin a Montmartre photoshoot because we don't need to rush straight towards the famous sights.
Rather than beginning with a series of posed photographs, we'll start walking. I'll ask you to hold hands, walk close together, or talk about something while I photograph you along the way.
It sounds too simple to be effective. You may wonder if you are going to look good whilst you're speaking and walking.
But trust me. This is often when people start feeling more comfortable in front of the camera. You have something to do, your attention is on each other, and you slowly start to forget about being in a photoshoot.
I also like having these quieter photographs at the beginning of the gallery. They establish a sense of place without making every image about a famous landmark.
2. Rue de l'Abreuvoir: A classic Montmartre setting
Rue de l'Abreuvoir is one of the streets people often have in mind when they imagine Montmartre. The cobblestones, the gentle curve of the road, the old façades, the greenery.
It's a beautiful location, but it's also a popular one, so I prefer to bring couples here in early morning, when we are more likely to have this wonderful setting entirely to ourselves.
I might photograph you running down the street, standing together near the buildings, or sitting next to each other, looking at the dome of the Sacré-Cœur in the distance.
Sometimes with a wider frame, other times moving closer to makes the photograph feel more personal, in this stop we'll create stunning compositions: the lines of the street, the colors of the façades, the light falling softly onto bricks and greenery. And you two, having fun and embracing the adventure.
3. La Maison Rose — A little corner of old Montmartre
La Maison Rose is one of those places that doesn't need much introduction. Its pink façade and green shutters make it instantly recognizable. But what I love the most about photographing here is the angle of the house itself.
Because of the way it sits at a corner, we can play with perspective and create photographs that feel a little more intimate and layered. Rather than standing far away to fit the entire building into the frame, I like getting closer, using the different planes of the façade to add depth and making the house part of the composition in more unexpected ways.
4. To the Sacré-Cœur: Small street details and surprising architecture
As we make our way towards Sacré-Cœur, we'll take our time exploring the little details that make Montmartre so much fun to photograph. Street art, unexpected architectural details, and those quirky street mirrors that are just asking to be played with.
I'll encourage you to be a little silly here. Pull a funny face in a mirror, stop to look at a piece of street art, or make each other laugh while I capture the moment.
And every now and then, as we turn a corner or look up between the buildings, the dome of Sacré-Cœur will appear in the distance. I love catching your reactions to these little discoveries, especially when you're not expecting the view.
These photographs are less about posing in front of a landmark and more about documenting the experience of exploring Montmartre together, with all its unexpected details and small surprises.
5. The Sacré-Cœur: A breathtaking view on Paris
Eventually, we'll reach Sacré-Cœur, one of Montmartre's most recognizable landmarks. Its white domes, grand staircase, and elevated position give us a completely different setting from the narrow streets we've explored along the way. And a breathtaking view over Paris.
I like using this stop to play with scale and perspective. We can take a few wider photographs that show the basilica in all its grandeur, then move closer to focus on the two of you, using the architecture as a backdrop rather than the main subject.
I'll guide you into positions that work with the light and surroundings, but I also want you to have time to simply look around and take it all in.
Sometimes the best moments happen between directions, when you're talking to each other or reacting to the view.
6. Square Louise Michel: A little breathing space
After photographing around the basilica, we'll spend some time in the gardens and paths in front of it.
This gives us another way to photograph the area, with greenery, stairways, and gorgeous views across Paris.
I find it useful to alternate between photographs that are clearly tied to a location and those that focus more closely on the couple. A gallery feels more varied when the distance, composition, and subject change from one image to the next.
Here, you can sit on the grass and cuddle together, run or dance, or simply spend some time interacting while I photograph from different angles.
I won't ask you to repeat the same pose over and over. Instead, I'll make small adjustments when needed and let the rest happen naturally. What matters the most, is that you use this time to enjoy each other's company.
Before leaving the Square, I like including the carousel because it introduces some colour and movement. I can photograph you beside the carousel, watching it turn, or interacting with each other while it moves in the background.
6. Jardin des Abbesses and Métro Abbesses: Between secrets and crowds
As we make our way towards the end of our walk, we'll stop at Jardin des Abbesses and the nearby Métro Abbesses entrance.
I love the contrast between these two spots. The garden offers a quieter, almost secret setting where we can slow down for a few portraits, while the metro entrance, with its iconic Art Nouveau design, brings us back into the bustle of everyday Paris.
It's also a lovely place to play with the contrast between the two of you and the world around you. We might capture a quiet moment in the garden, then move towards the metro to photograph you among the movement of people coming and going.
And yes, this area can get busy. But I don't see that as a problem.
Sometimes, a little bit of the crowd adds context and makes the photographs feel more like a real afternoon spent exploring Paris together.
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