When receiving enquiries for outdoor lifestyle shoots, I will often get requests to cover several diverse locations within one long photo session. I always reply recommending several shorter shoots, on different days, rather than trying to cram everything into an entire morning, afternoon or evening. Here I outline why, when being photographed in Paris, it’s better to take your time to explore, rather than rushing through all the city’s attractions in one sitting.
WHY MULTIPLE SHORTER SHOOTS ARE IMMEASURABLY BETTER THAN ONE LONG SHOOT
No Time (or Money) Wasted in Transport
Jumping from location to location will inevitably require you to take transport. Whether you use the public services (bus, métro or tram) or have the budget to pay a private chauffeur, the time you spend traveling could easily surpass the time you spend being photographed. That's a real shame when you've paid to have (and enjoy) the unique experience of a professional photo shoot.
If you split your time (and budget) over several shorter sessions you'll be able to dedicate each shoot to one single section of Paris without having to keep an eye on the time and without the hassle of having to organise the next pickup.
True Exploration
If your goal is simply to be photographed in front of various Paris landmarks, then, by all means, hiring a private driver for the day may well be the most suitable option. However, that stop-start approach will only allow you to explore each area superficially. As outlined in my article on the benefits of walking photo shoots, shorter durations concentrated on one sole area will allow you to truly experience each location; dedicating time to each place will give you chance to soak in its unique atmosphere which is what will make your photo souvenirs all the more significant. For visitors, this is massively important.
True Clothing Changes
Unless you intend to retire to your hotel midway through, one long shoot will only allow you (at best) a superficial clothing change. This will namely involve you adding / removing / alternating accessories (any of which you would have to carry with you during the whole shoot).
Multiple shoots will allow you to don a completely different attire for each location; this adds variety to the photographs thus truly making each location / shoot its own. In addition, as you’ll arrive already wearing exactly what you want, you won’t have to carry any additional accessories to make clothing adjustments mid-shoot. This will enable you to move freely at all times, which for lifestyle genre photographs is ideal.
I should also point out that, as you’ll have time to fully prepare yourself for each outing, in addition to your changing your attire there’s nothing to stop you varying your hair and / or makeup between shoots.
You will always be at (and therefore look) your best
If there were just one reason why it’s best to stick to shorter shoots, this is it. No matter your age or level of energy, being professionally photographed is tiring and the longer we go beyond my recommended photo shoot duration, the more likely it is that dwindling motivation and fatigue will show both on your face and in your movement. There is nothing worse than this. Several shorter shoots ensure that you will always be at 100% energy and therefore always looking your best.
Better value for money (yes, really!)
One of the reasons some clients are tempted by the all-in-one-go approach is the false perception that squeezing everything into one session will be more cost-effective; nothing could be further from the case…
Even if the photographer's overall fee is reduced by limiting the shoot to within one day, you need to take into account:
all the paid shooting time that will be lost in transport, in addition to the cost of transport itself.
the increased quality of photographs that will be delivered thanks to the benefits outlined above.
the fact that booking multiple shoots in itself will grant you a significant discount anyway: booking several shoots with the same photographer could save you 30-50% per-shoot compared to the cost of a single one.
Put simply, multiple shoots will always offer the best value for money.
