It’s so fun to be a professional photographer in France, because you meet the most amazing people. One day I was contacted by a lovely lady through my Instagram account. She and her husband were to be vacationing on the French Riviera, and planned to take a trip to Provence. She found some of my past photoshoots in Arles and said she’d love to come and visit the town and have some photographs with her husband, and her family member, her little Pomeranian dog would be joining us too! I’ve never done a family photoshoot with a dog, but I love dogs and I was so excited to meet all three of them!
Meeting Bean the Pomeranian
I was so excited to meet this couple in Arles, and I knew we were going to have an amazing couples photoshoot together. However, as I met Michelle and Kelvin as they parked their car, I realized that it had slipped my mind that there was another member of the family joining us on this day. I saw Kelvin unloading the doggie stroller and that’s when I caught first glimpse of Bean, a charming little Pomeranian girl, cute as can be! I couldn’t believe I forgot she would be joining us!
The couple could not have been nicer, or more fun to spend time with. Originally from Hong Kong, they now live in the UK and love to travel. This was their first time to Arles, and I couldn’t wait to show them around and photograph them in my favorite places.
A Walk Around Historic Arles
Most of the photoshoots I do in Arles start at the Roman amphitheatre, which to this day still takes my breath away. No, it’s not nearly as large as the Colosseum in Rome, but it’s so impressive to see, well cared for, and really transports you to another time. Still used for events to this day, it’s the shining jewel in the town of Arles. I started photographing Michelle and Kelvin on the staircase, and then, Bean would join. She was such a mild, calm dog, and seemed to enjoy the sights. I would talk to her and pet her head from time to time, which meant that not only was I having fun photographing Bean’s mom and dad, but I was obsessed with her too!
You see, a couple of years ago somehow a friend and I got on the topic of dogs. She has a dog, and thought I would love to have one too. While it’s true I love dogs, and grew up with them on the farm in Minnesota where I’m from, I don’t have a lifestyle for a dog at this time. Still, my friend insisted that a Pomeranian is the kind of dog I need, so this wonderful photoshoot in Arles with this cute as can be Pomeranian was a a real treat!
A Photo Tour of A Roman City
My approach to photoshoots in Arles is as a combination of a photo tour and traditional photo session. You simply cannot photograph in Arles without discussing everything you’re looking at. After the amphitheatre, we walked through the town to the main square, and admired the obelisk, which is from Roman times. Then, a walk through the main shopping center of the old town, to the old hospital where Van Gogh stayed after he cut off his ear in Arles in 1888. Now, this complex houses a school, a library, the archives of Arles, and there’s a beautiful garden Van Gogh painted. I love photographing couples (and dogs!) in this garden. Bean posed beautifully, and then we headed over to the charming La Roquette neighborhood, to soak up some 17th century architecture and see some of the vibrant colors and plants of the neighborhood.
Bean was a big hit everywhere we went, as Kelvin pushed her in the stroller, we saw so many smiles on people’s faces, which was really lovely. We took turns with photographing Michelle and Kelvin, whose love story was so inspiring, they’re so beautiful together, and then with Bean. When Bean wasn’t being photographed, she patiently waited in her stroller and enjoyed watching all that was going on, not even barking once. Such a good girl!
Time to Say Goodbye
While I adored showing Michelle and Kelvin around Arles, and photographing them, and talking to their beautiful Pomeranian, Bean, also, I knew I couldn’t wear out my welcome, because if I had my way, my photoshoots would go on a majority of the day, I love them so much. But the couple had to get back to the Riviera town they were staying, and Bean needed her nap. Our final photograph was at the Place du Forum, in front of the last remaining column from the old Roman forum. A fitting way to end this historic photoshoot in Arles! Michelle and Kelvin were so nice, as a parting gift, they allowed me to hold Bean and photographed me.
I had so much fun today with this beautiful couple, and was so glad to meet their precious dog. I will always treasure this day!
Karina Leigh Photography
Even if you’re not traveling with your Pomeranian dog, I’d love to photograph you in Arles, or anywhere in Provence, and capture these beautiful sunny memories of Provence. Feel free to contact me to plan your own Provence photoshoot!
