I was so happy and proud to be a part of the team for the Paris Editorial Photoshoot with Decca Recording Artist Alexandra Whittingham. When most people imagine Paris, they think of the Seine at golden hour, the elegant façades of Haussmann buildings, and the timeless romance of its streets. For me, Paris is all of this—and also an endless stage for artistry. Every photoshoot in this city feels like a story waiting to be told. Recently, I had the privilege of photographing Decca recording artist Alexandra Whittingham, a guitarist whose music is as delicate, powerful, and timeless as the city itself.

This shoot was one of those dream assignments where music, artistry, and the editorial aesthetic I love all came together. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes of this Paris photoshoot: how we chose locations, the mood we wanted to capture, and the way Alexandra and her team at the record label brought her artistry into each frame.

Who Is Alexandra Whittingham?

For those who might not know her yet, Alexandra Whittingham is a classical guitarist with a modern presence. Signed to Decca Records Classics, part of Universal Music Group, she has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and captivated millions through her recordings and videos.

What stands out about Alexandra is the way she bridges classical tradition with a contemporary audience. She is elegant yet approachable, technical yet deeply emotive. For an editorial photographer in Paris, this combination is a dream—because her artistry already tells a story before the camera even clicks.

When we first discussed the photoshoot, Alexandra and her team at Decca emphasized that she wanted portraits that felt authentic, artistic, and connected to Paris. Not just generic musician photos, but imagery that could reflect both her personality and the timeless sophistication of her music. Alexandra has launched her new CD, Letters from Paris, and she wanted these images to reflect her connection to Paris. Her team explained to me that it was like a couples photoshoot, and Alexandra’s “partner” would be her guitar.

Planning the Photoshoot in Paris

Paris is one of the most photographed cities in the world, but for me, the key is always finding ways to make it feel personal to the subject. With Alexandra, we wanted to strike a balance: recognizable Parisian beauty but with a cinematic, editorial edge.

We focused on three main backdrops:

1. The Eiffel Tower in the early morning – soft light, calm atmosphere at the world’s most famous monument, so emblematic of Paris itself. In addition, it was April, so we had the beautiful cherry blossoms to enjoy, too!
2. The magnificence of Montmartre – this village in the city screams romance and was the perfect place to capture Alexandra’s romantic mood
3. Hidden Streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés – textured walls, ivy, and a sense of intimacy.

Each location allowed Alexandra to embody a slightly different aspect of herself: the romantic musician, the sophisticated recording artist, and the approachable human being behind the artistry.

Shooting at the Eiffel Tower

We started the day early, at the most magnificent romantic and iconic monument in the world, the Eiffel Tower. The light was simply divine!

For Alexandra, I wanted to capture a sense of movement and serenity, reflecting the fluidity of music.

We played with motion: walking shots, the wind catching her hair, her guitar case gently swinging at her side.

Editorial portraiture often lives in these unscripted gestures. Alexandra has a natural elegance that makes even candid frames look composed. By leaning into that, we created portraits that feel alive, almost like film stills.

The tones here were soft and romantic—muted spring tones and warm highlights from the April sun. Paris itself became part of the composition.

Exploring Montmartre

After the Eiffel Tower, we shifted to a different Parisian icon: the village of Montmartre, that has inspired so many musicians and artists throughout history. Painters such as Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, have painted these romantic streets with incredible architecture and a bit of color, too.

Alexandra wore a minimalist, timeless outfit that allowed the lines of the architecture to play their part. Here, I focused on clean editorial compositions—straight lines, negative space, strong use of natural light and incorporating color and nature as I could, which I love to do.

These shots feel refined, almost like an album cover. In fact, part of the goal of this photoshoot was to provide Alexandra with imagery that could live not just on social media, but across press features, tour posters, and promotional materials. That meant balancing intimacy with professionalism, artistry with clarity.

I often think of Paris as a co-artist in these shoots—the city gives you frames that are already halfway composed. The key is knowing how to place your subject so that both the artist and the architecture feel equally elevated.

Wandering Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Finally, we closed the shoot in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris. Unlike the grand architecture of central Paris, here you find winding streets, ivy climbing over stone walls, and a quieter rhythm of life. Near to Notre Dame Cathedral, this is one of the most iconic Parisian neighborhoods.

This was where Alexandra really came alive in a natural, candid way. We wandered, stopping whenever a doorway or corner caught our attention. She laughed, leaned against café chairs, and let the city interact with her. We also played a lot with the use of her guitar case.

The result was a series of documentary-style portraits—less posed, more lived-in. These images are intimate, almost like a visual diary of her day in Paris. For an artist like Alexandra, who connects so deeply with her audience, these kinds of portraits are essential. They remind fans that behind the polished performances is a person with warmth, humor, and light.

Editorial Photography for Musicians

One of the things I love most about photographing musicians is the interplay between sound and image. With Alexandra, I kept thinking of her music as a guide for the shoot.

Her guitar playing is precise but never rigid. It flows, it breathes, it surprises you. I wanted the photographs to feel the same way—structured but never stiff, timeless but never static.

In editorial musician photography, you’re not just capturing how someone looks. You’re translating the essence of their art into a visual medium. For Alexandra, that meant:

• Romantic tones → soft light, warm colors.
• Sophisticated styling → clean lines, Parisian architecture.
• Candid warmth → laughter, quiet moments, walking shots.

Together, these elements created a gallery of portraits that Alexandra can use across platforms—press releases, album promotions, concert posters, or simply to connect with her fans online.

Why Paris Is the Perfect Backdrop for Musicians

I often get asked why Paris is such a powerful location for editorial photography. The answer is simple: Paris is a city that embodies artistry. Its architecture, light, and history all work together to create a timeless stage.

For musicians, Paris adds resonance. The city has been home to centuries of composers, painters, poets, and performers. Walking its streets, you can feel that lineage of creativity.

For Alexandra, photographing here wasn’t just about beautiful backdrops. It was about connecting her music to a place that has inspired generations of artists. That layer of meaning adds depth to the portraits.

Behind the Lens: My Editorial Approach

As a Paris editorial photographer, my approach is always about blending storytelling with aesthetics. I don’t just want pretty pictures—I want images that say something about the subject.

With Alexandra, that meant:

1. Collaboration – listening to her ideas and ensuring the photos reflected her personality.
2. Light as narrative – using Paris’s natural light to add softness, mood, and atmosphere.
3. Movement over poses – encouraging her to move, walk, and interact with the space to create authenticity.
4. Editorial framing – thinking like a magazine spread, keeping negative space for text placement if needed.

The result is a body of work that feels both intimate and versatile.

Alexandra’s Presence in Front of the Camera

One of the joys of photographing Alexandra is how comfortable she is in front of the camera. As a performer, she understands presence—how to hold herself, how to project emotion without words.

But what surprised me was her naturalness. She never felt “staged.” Even in editorial setups, she brought a warmth and sincerity that made the images resonate.

That’s a lesson I often share with other artists: the camera doesn’t need perfection, it needs authenticity. Alexandra embodied that beautifully throughout the shoot.

The Final Collection

When I look back on this Paris shoot, what stands out to me is the variety we captured. From romantic Eiffel Tower portraits to bold architectural compositions and candid street moments, the gallery tells a multifaceted story of Alexandra as an artist.

These images now live as part of her public presence—supporting her artistry, strengthening her brand, and giving her audience new ways to connect. For me, that’s the ultimate goal of editorial photography.

Why This Photoshoot Matters

At its core, this wasn’t just about photographs. It was about celebrating an artist at a pivotal moment in her career. Alexandra Whittingham is bringing classical guitar to a wider audience, and imagery plays a powerful role in how that story is told.

By capturing her in Paris—a city that mirrors the elegance and artistry of her music—we created a visual narrative that amplifies her artistry.

For me, this shoot reaffirmed why I love being a Paris photographer. Every session is a chance to merge creativity, place, and personality into something lasting.

Final Thoughts

Photographing Decca recording artist Alexandra Whittingham in Paris was a reminder of why I fell in love with editorial photography. It’s about more than images—it’s about storytelling, collaboration, and creating visuals that carry meaning beyond the frame. The creative and visual team that accompanied here were also fantastic to work with and made the day a joy!

Paris gave us its light, its architecture, its atmosphere. Alexandra gave us her presence, her artistry, her warmth. Together, those elements created something timeless.

If you are a musician, artist, or creative looking to tell your story through imagery, Paris is the perfect canvas—and I would love to help you bring that vision to life.

Make sure to check out Alexandra’s music at www.alexandrawhittingham.com. I’m sure you’ll become a big fan, just like I have!

Ready to take your artistry to the next level?
Reach out to inquire about my editorial and commercial work, I’d love to chat about your project!

📍 Based in France | Available throughout Europe
📸 Now booking editorial and corporate/commercial assignments

View My Web Site: karinaleigh.com

• Paris Editorial Photoshoot with Decca Recording Artist Alexandra Whittingham
• Dreamy Gordes Elopement in the Lavender Fields of Provence
• Romantic Catholic Wedding at Eglise Saint Roch in Paris
• 5 Great Ideas for a Private Marriage Proposal on the French Riviera
• Top 10 Ways to Celebrate a Wedding Anniversary in Paris