Paris is definitely one of the most romantic cities in all the world, and it’s no wonder couples flock here to get engaged and celebrate the next chapter of their love story. As a Paris engagement photographer, that’s why I’m so happy to have been contacted to photograph this gorgeous Paris engagement photoshoot for a lovely couple visiting Paris. I was so excited to meet them and capture their timeless love story with this photo session in the Tuileries Gardens and nearby Louvre Museum.
First Contact
Stephen contacted me a couple of months before he and the love of his life, Kristhine, were coming to Paris. He explained that he wanted to ask her to marry him in Paris. We decided on a surprise proposal location, which was along the Seine River, with a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower.
As they approached where I stood, I backed up and captured the magnificent moment for them to cherish forever. The next day I was thrilled to capture their engagement with a Paris engagement photo session at the Louvre Museum and nearby Tuileries Gardens.
Despite the fact it was a cloudy day with the chance of rain, it was beautiful. The Louvre Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world and is visited by on average, 9 million people a year. That’s a lot of people looking at Mona Lisa! This former palace of the monarchs has been a museum for a very long time, and it’s absolutely as exquisite on the outside as the artworks within its walls, and is a popular place for a Paris engagement session.
The French monarchy abandoned the Louvre to move to the palace built at Versailles, where they was more room to build, and nearby forest to be used as hunting grounds. The empty palace in Paris was then transformed into the museum we see today, all the way back in 1793. The most famous works in the museum are of course, Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. I particularly enjoy seeing the many sculptures, which I find amazing that we still have these treasures all these years later to enjoy. I don’t go inside to see the works very often, but I’m frequently outside admiring the architecture which is so distinctly Parisian.
Early Morning Visit to the Louvre Museum Courtyard
I met Stephen and Kristhine early in the morning (early is best, as Paris gets so busy), and on a day, actually, when the Louvre is closed to visitors. One day a week intensive cleaning takes place, but it’s still a lovely place to roam, even if you can’t go inside. The intricate architectural details make a great romantic backdrop. The glass pyramids, not original to the museum, are a fan favorite at the Louvre. On this day, the fountains were on, so it was lovely to be able to capture the pyramid with the fountain as well.
I work with so many wonderful couples, but I have to say, Stephen and Kristhine are really in love, and it was so sweet to see, it definitely warmed my heart! Stephen serves in the US military, and Kristhine is an ER nurse, so they lead busy lives. This trip to Paris was important for them to spend some quality time together, and they brought the romance! I loved Kristhine’s positive energy and light, she radiated positive light and was a delight to be around, she and Stephen make a wonderful couple!
A Visit to the Stunning Tuileries Gardens in the Center of Paris
We headed across the street to the Tuileries Gardens, which were stunning, and I captured them with the Louvre in the background and also in the gardens themselves, culminating in a relaxing rest at one of the famous Tuileries ponds, where Parisians while away their time with friends or a good book on a Sunday afternoon. They deserved to relax after being my talented models!
I really did not want to say goodbye, I’d enjoyed our time together so much. I wish this gorgeous couple so much love, happiness and joy, and thank them from the bottom of my heart for trusting me to capture their precious memories in Paris!
Karina Leigh Photography
If you can see yourself in this wonderland that is Paris, please contact me to learn more about your Paris engagement session, I’d be so thrilled to meet you and capture you in images to treasure the rest of your lives!
