Paris photos usually fall into two camps: rushed snapshots or the same Eiffel Tower pose everyone already has. This private session takes a different route, using central Paris streets and Rick Alarcon’s eye for natural poses and good light. I like the personal attention, and I like getting both 40 edited photos and every original file.

You also get clear posing advice, which matters if you feel stiff in front of a camera. The main consideration is time: one hour goes quickly, especially if you want several outfits, props, or a different location. Ask about those requests before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Meet by Metro Saint Paul: The session begins in front of Starbucks at 8-10 Rue de Rivoli.
• Private one-hour format: You work directly with Rick Alarcon Photography rather than joining a large group.
• 40 edited photos plus originals: You receive the photographer’s chosen and enhanced images, along with the unedited files.
• Fast delivery: High-resolution images are placed in a private online folder within 24 hours.
• Useful posing help: Rick shows beginners how to use different poses, positions, and framing.
• Flexible purpose: Plan images for a profile, social media, family memories, friends, or a personal record of Paris.

A Paris portrait session that avoids the usual postcard pose

This experience is less about checking off famous sights and more about making useful, personal images in Paris. You meet Rick Alarcon at Metro Saint Paul, then spend an hour working through a series of poses and compositions around the streets nearby.

That makes it a good choice if you want photos that feel connected to Paris without requiring a formal sightseeing tour. The exact route is not set out in detail, so you should think of the session as a guided photo walk from the meeting point, not as a fixed list of monuments.

I like that you can bring a clear goal. You might want a new professional profile image, fresh social media content, photos with friends, or a record of your time in the city. The photographer invites those ideas before and during the shoot, so you are not limited to one standard portrait style.

The format is private, which helps. You do not need to share the photographer’s attention with another party, and the session can focus on your own preferences. The booking information lists the price as $117 per group up to one person, so confirm the exact arrangement if more than one person will appear in the photos.

Starting at Saint Paul on Rue de Rivoli

Your meeting point is in front of the Starbucks at 8-10 Rue de Rivoli, beside Metro Saint Paul. This is a practical place to begin because it is easy to identify and well connected by public transit.

Arrive ready to start. A one-hour booking includes the session itself, so time spent searching for each other or deciding on a plan cuts into your camera time. It is smart to message ahead if you want to use another meeting point.

At the start, Rick goes over your needs and the available options. This brief talk is important. Tell him what kind of images you want, how comfortable you are with posing, and if the photos are for a particular professional or personal use.

You can also raise special plans before booking. Proposals, props, costumes, and a change of location may be possible as additional arrangements, but they are not part of the standard session. The provider specifically asks you to send those details in advance.

One hour of poses, positions, and framing

The session is designed to give you variety rather than 60 minutes of one fixed pose. Rick works with different positions, angles, and framing so the final set can include more than one expression or use.

If you are new to portrait photography, the posing advice is one of the most useful parts. You learn simple ways to stand, move, and place yourself for the camera. That help can serve you beyond this single session, especially if you often avoid photos because you do not know what to do with your hands or where to look.

The photographer also pays attention to the way light affects the image. The supplied information does not promise a particular monument or exact street route, so I would not book this expecting a full tour of Paris landmarks. Book it for directed portrait work in Paris streets, with the location choices shaped around your needs.

The session includes a photo stop in Paris and a return to the Rue de Rivoli starting point. A separate stop is marked as a hidden gem, but no further details are provided, and it carries no stated extra time. Treat that as a possible nearby setting rather than a guaranteed major attraction.

What the final photo package really gives you

You receive 40 images selected and edited by the photographer. These are the finished photographs Rick considers the strongest from the session, with enhancement work intended to improve the result.

You also receive all originals. That second part is valuable because it gives you more control. You may prefer a different expression, pose, or moment than the photographer selected for editing. The originals also let you make personal editing choices later.

One useful detail comes from the experience itself: a client received about 300 photographs along with 40 retouched images. That number is not presented as a guaranteed total for every booking, but it shows that the shoot can produce a substantial set of source files. Ask if the number of originals matters to you, since the guaranteed inclusion is all originals, not a specific count.

Additional revisions or proofing, meaning client selection of images for editing, cost extra. Print services are also available by inquiry. The standard package therefore gives you a clear base product, while custom editing and physical prints require a separate conversation.

High-resolution delivery within 24 hours

The quick turnaround is a strong point for short Paris visits. Your high-resolution images are placed in a private online folder within 24 hours of the shoot.

That timing can work well if you are still in Paris the next day, but it also helps if you are leaving soon. You will have a chance to download the files without waiting through a long editing period.

Make sure you have reliable access to the online folder and enough storage for the originals. The information confirms private online delivery, but it does not specify how long the folder remains active or what file formats are supplied. If those details matter, ask before booking.

The 24-hour promise refers to the included delivery. Extra proofing, revisions, and prints are separate services, so they may follow a different schedule.

How the price compares with the result

At $117 for the listed private group of up to one person, the value depends on how seriously you want to use the images. This is not the cheapest way to take a few holiday snapshots, and it is not meant to be. You are paying for a dedicated photographer, direction during the session, image selection, editing, and fast file delivery.

I see the best value for someone who already planned to hire a photographer or who needs polished images for a specific purpose. A new profile image, a proposal plan, family portraits, or a professional update can make the cost easier to justify.

The package also includes all originals, not only the 40 finished selections. That gives you a wider record of the session than the edited set alone. Still, additional edits and prints cost extra, so include those in your budget if you want a highly customized final collection.

Because the price is shown per group up to one, do not assume it automatically covers a larger party. If you are booking for a couple, family, or friends, ask how the provider defines the group and whether the price changes.

Who will get the most from this session

I would choose this experience if you want guided portraits but do not want a large, formal photo package. It suits solo visitors who need a strong profile picture, couples who want personal Paris images, and families or friends who want a shared record of the trip.

It is also a good fit for camera-shy beginners. Rick’s instructions are meant to make posing easier, and the private setting means you can ask questions without performing in front of strangers.

You should consider another option if your priority is a long sightseeing route, entry to a landmark, or a full-day photography package. The session lasts one hour, begins and ends near Saint Paul, and does not include tickets, food, drinks, or additional travel expenses.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, which makes it worth considering for visitors who need an accessible private arrangement. The precise street route and surface conditions are not provided, so message ahead with mobility needs and any preferred locations.

Practical preparation for better Paris photos

I would keep your clothing simple and comfortable enough to move in. The session includes different positions and poses, so clothes that restrict movement may limit the variety of images.

Bring a clear idea of what you need. If you want a professional portrait, decide whether you prefer a formal or relaxed look. If you want personal memories, tell Rick whether you prefer candid-feeling images, posed portraits, or a mix.

You can share location ideas before booking, but do not count on a different area unless it has been arranged. Changes of location, props, costumes, and proposal setups are additional requests and need advance planning.

Arrive at the Saint Paul meeting point with your phone available for contact. The meeting instructions identify the Starbucks in front of Metro Saint Paul as the place to meet, and a map link is provided with the booking information.

The standard activity does not include food or drinks. That is easy to handle in central Paris, but it is worth remembering if you are trying to fit the session between meals or other timed plans.

Booking flexibility and language

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the scheduled start for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also lets you hold the booking without paying at the time of reservation, which is useful when your Paris schedule is still shifting.

Rick works in English and French. That makes it easier to discuss the look you want and understand posing instructions, especially when small adjustments matter.

The session is private rather than shared. The listed restrictions are straightforward: weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

My take on the photographer’s approach

The strongest part of this experience is the combination of direction and choice. Rick does not simply point a camera at you and hand over a small number of files. He helps with posing, tries different framing, and then supplies both selected edits and originals.

The feedback attached to the experience is especially consistent about three things: a friendly manner, patience, and natural-looking photographs. One client also praised the attention to light and detail, while another appreciated that the photos did not look like standard Eiffel Tower pictures.

Those points matter because portrait sessions can feel awkward at first. A photographer who explains what to do can turn the hour into a relaxed working session rather than a string of forced smiles.

The main limit remains the fixed one-hour length. You need to decide what matters most before you arrive. A focused portrait session can produce a strong set of images, while too many requests may leave each idea only a few minutes.

Should you book Private Photo Session: Streets of Paris?

Book it if you want personal Paris portraits, useful posing guidance, 40 edited images, and all originals delivered within 24 hours. I especially recommend it for solo visitors, couples, families, and anyone who needs polished photos without a large group or a standard monument backdrop.

Before paying, message Rick if you want more than the basic plan, including extra people, a proposal, props, costumes, or a new location. If you need a longer session or a detailed tour of landmarks, this one-hour format may feel too short.

For a focused photo session near Saint Paul with quick delivery and a private photographer, the $117 price is fair, provided the included one-person group size matches your plan.

FAQ

Where does the photo session begin?

You meet in front of the Starbucks at Metro Saint Paul, at 8-10 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris.

How long does the session last?

The private photo session lasts one hour.

How many edited photos are included?

You receive 40 images selected and edited by the photographer.

Do I receive the original photographs?

Yes. All originals are included along with the 40 edited images.

When will I receive the images?

High-resolution images are made available in a private online folder within 24 hours of the session.

Is the session private?

Yes. The activity is listed as a private group experience.

Which languages does the photographer speak?

The session is offered in English and French.

Can I request a proposal, props, costumes, or another location?

Yes, but you should message the provider with those details before booking. Additional requests may involve extra arrangements or costs.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.