Reza & Julia – Engaged in Paris

The idea of a night shoot can sometimes be a last choice for a shoot that can capture the essence of Paris. This is certainly not the case with my clients Reza & Julia.

After weeks of planning the photo-shoot over emails and Skype to plan the perfect shoot, we finally meet in person on the night of the photo-shoot at their luxury and beautiful hotel – Westin Vendrome, Paris. This beautiful hotel overlooks the stunning gardens of the Tuileries right next to the Louvre.

We then stepped into the cold winter night air and Paris opened up her secrets to us all night.

Shooting in Paris at night really takes you in to a past Paris where the streets are empty, the city was quiet and the glitz and colour of the modern day melts away with the soft golden street lights and lamps that scatter this magical city.

Streets that through the day are passed by without a thought, become dramatic film sets. The lights transform each cobbled stoned alley, and corner…. after all Paris is the city of light.

Shooting around the Louvre at night was truly an incredible experience for all of us. The tourists have all disappeared for dinner and the pyramid is left to breathe and stretch its arms. The golden stone of the surrounding buildings come alive and you are given the illusion of being in an Audrey Hepburn movie with the keys to the city.

Reza and Julia were transformed into movie stars for the night and the results were breathtaking.

 

 

THEIR LOVE STORY:

Reza tell’s us their romantic love story:

We met through my sister. My sister wanted me to meet her so she kept insisting I go to her Yoga classes where Julia taught. Julia wasn’t looking to meet anyone, so she kept rejecting me and wouldn’t give me her number. She finally gave in and went on a date with me, and we have been inseparable ever since.

 

THE PROPOSAL:

The original plan for the proposal was to fly into Paris (on her birthday) check in to the suite at the Westin, propose we take a walk outside at the Jardin des Tuileries, and propose to her there.

What I didn’t plan for was… my bag not making it to Paris, and landing in Paris wearing sweats and no other clothes. We spend the afternoon looking for clothes for me to buy, so by the time we got back to to the hotel it was pitch dark. I couldn’t wait to propose the next day because I was worried the restaurant that I had planned dinner at would make a mention of us getting engaged by congratulating.  I had to do it that night… and it had to be before dinner as there was no plan B.

 

Luckily, Julia looked was looking at our amazing view from our room and saw the Grande Roue De Paris and said, “hey maybe we should check out the ferris wheel after dinner”. My good friend from work who’s French had recommended originally I propose to Julia on there so when Juila mentioned it, I was so happy.

I agreed and then persuaded her that we go quickly before dinner. We walked over and luckily there was no line as it was a windy and cold night.I was pretty nervous that whole day and by now I was getting really nervous. What I forgot once we got up, was that both Julia and I are deathly afraid of heights. As the wheel reached its peak, it got really windy and we just laughed because we were both so nervous. We did one slow full turn and I finally calmed myself down to ask her except the wheel started speeding up for the 2nd turn and I realized it only goes around slow once and the 2nd turn is faster and the ride is over. I thought I blew it and wasn’t going to be able to ask. Right then the wheel started to slow down, and I realized this was my chance, and I got really nervous again.

I said, “hey I’m really nervous” and she said, “don’t worry, the ride is almost over and we’re safe”…I said, “no, that’s not why….” and got down on one knee….the rest is history.

  

I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel all over the world, but after going to Paris for the first time last July, there was nothing in the world like it. When I realized I was going to propose, there was no other choice but Paris.

 

 

VENDORS:

Photography: Claire Morris Photography

Hair and Make up: Harold James Paris