Reviewed · EIFFEL TOWER TOURS
Paris: Eiffel Tower Private Professional Photoshoot
The clever part of this Paris experience is its timing: an early morning session gives you softer light and a better chance of avoiding the thickest crowds around Trocadéro. Photographer Rick Alarcon uses the 30 minutes to move you from the terrace toward the Eiffel Tower, rather than keeping you fixed in one spot.
I like the clear posing help, especially if you usually feel stiff in front of a camera. I also like the fast delivery: you receive 25 edited, photographer-selected images plus all original files, often the same day and always promised within 24 hours.
The main drawback is the clock. Thirty minutes passes quickly, and there is no extra time for late arrivals, costume changes, or several outfits unless you arrange and pay for additional time beforehand.
Key points to know before booking

- Dawn light at Trocadéro: The early slot helps soften the light and may reduce the number of people in your background.
- Rick Alarcon’s posing guidance: With more than 20 years of experience, he gives direct tips on posture, angles, and movement.
- Three useful photo settings: The session begins near the meeting point, continues across Place du Trocadéro, and finishes with Eiffel Tower views.
- A private 30-minute appointment: You are not sharing the session with another group, so the photographer can focus on your preferred shots.
- 25 edited images plus every original: You receive a finished selection and the unedited files for your own personal editing.
- Quick digital delivery: Images arrive through a private Google Drive folder within 24 hours, with some customers receiving them the same day.
Why a short Eiffel Tower session can be worth it

Paris gives you plenty of chances to take snapshots, but getting a good photograph of yourself is another matter. You can ask a companion to take a picture, use a phone timer, or hope a passing stranger understands the framing you want. None of those methods gives you much control over expression, posture, background, or the light.
This session solves that problem in a compact way. You get a private photographer, a famous setting, and practical direction without spending half a day away from your sightseeing plans. I see it as a focused appointment rather than a tour of Paris. The point is not to learn the city. The point is to leave with photographs that show you in it.
The price is listed as $74 per group up to one person, so check the booking options carefully if you are booking for two or more people. Value depends on your group size, but the package includes the photographer’s time, 25 edited photographs, and all original files. For a solo visitor, couple, or small family that wants polished Eiffel Tower pictures, the cost can make sense.
The strongest value comes from the direction. Rick does not simply point a camera and ask you to smile. He suggests poses, angles, and positions, then gives you room to request a particular image. That is useful if you are not used to being photographed.
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Meeting Rick at Trocadéro

Your meeting point is in front of the Théâtre National de Chaillot, at 1 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre. If you use the Metro, take line 6 or 9 to Trocadéro and leave through Exit 1, marked Avenue du Président Wilson and Palais de Chaillot.
Give yourself extra time to find the exact spot. The appointment time is precise, and late arrivals do not receive extra minutes. That matters more here than on a slow walking tour because half an hour is the entire session.
The starting area is practical as well as scenic. You meet near the City of Architecture and Heritage, then begin working around Trocadéro. From here, the Eiffel Tower appears across the open space, giving the photographer room to frame both the monument and the person in front of it.
You should arrive ready to shoot. Bring the outfit you plan to wear, check your hair and clothing before the appointment, and have a few ideas in mind. The photographer welcomes requests, but the session is too short for a long planning discussion once the clock starts.
Place du Trocadéro: the best opening frames

Place du Trocadéro is the main photo stop and takes up much of the session. Its broad terrace provides the classic Eiffel Tower view, but the photographer does not need to repeat the same image twenty-five times.
Rick works through several positions and poses as you move closer to the tower. That change of distance helps produce a more varied set of photographs. You might begin with a full view that places you against the Paris skyline, then try closer portraits where your face and expression matter more.
This is also where posing instruction earns its keep. Many people know what kind of picture they want but do not know what to do with their hands, shoulders, or feet. Rick gives simple directions on how to stand and where to look. Several customers specifically appreciated that he made them feel comfortable, which is important when the setting is public and the camera is close.
You can bring your own ideas, too. If you have a particular pose, walking shot, romantic image, or family arrangement in mind, explain it early. The photographer can then balance your requests with his own suggestions about light and composition.
The open terrace has one unavoidable weakness: it is a public place. Even at a quieter early hour, you cannot expect a completely empty setting. The advantage is that Rick knows how to choose angles and timing that can make the background feel less crowded. You should still accept that a few people may appear in the distance.
Moving toward the Eiffel Tower

The route from Trocadéro toward the Eiffel Tower is short, but it adds useful variety. Instead of treating the tower as a single fixed backdrop, the session uses several viewpoints along the way.
This movement also helps the photographs feel less formal. You can shift from posed portraits to walking images, side views, and pictures that show more of the surrounding setting. A professional photographer can watch your posture while you move and adjust the shot when a natural expression appears.
I would not book this expecting a full tour of the Eiffel Tower grounds. The activity is built around exterior photo stops, not an interior visit or a guided explanation of the monument. You do not spend time in a museum, climb the tower, or receive a long talk about Parisian architecture.
That narrow focus is a benefit if you want photographs without a major time commitment. It is less suitable if you want a broad sightseeing experience. Think of it as a photo appointment placed in a famous part of the city.
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The final Eiffel Tower views

The final stop centers on the Eiffel Tower itself. By this point, Rick has had time to see which poses suit you and which angles produce the strongest results. He can use that information to make the last images more personal rather than simply repeating the opening view.
The tower works well for different kinds of photographs. A couple might want close, relaxed portraits and a few wider pictures together. A solo visitor might prefer a mixture of full-length poses, walking shots, and images that show the scale of the monument. Families can use the time for group arrangements, though larger groups should be realistic about how quickly 30 minutes can go.
The activity is private, so you do not need to share the photographer’s attention with another booking. That makes it easier to pause for a requested pose or adjust an arrangement. Still, private does not mean unlimited. The time includes moving between positions, giving instructions, and taking the pictures.
If you want a proposal, props, costumes, or a different location, contact Rick before booking. The same applies to multiple outfits. The area is not suited to a quick costume change, and extra time may be needed.
What Rick’s direction is like

The most consistent praise centers on Rick’s manner and guidance. He is described as professional, patient, friendly, and good at explaining how he wants you to pose. That combination matters more than fancy equipment when you are nervous in front of a camera.
You should expect active direction rather than a silent photographer. Rick may suggest how to stand, where to turn, or how to move. He also leaves room for your own ideas, so you are not locked into one style of portrait.
This works particularly well for beginners. You do not need to arrive knowing the difference between a flattering angle and an awkward one. The photographer’s job is to help you find positions that look natural and suit the setting.
The atmosphere is another practical strength. People have described the session as easy, fun, and relaxed, with conversation and humor helping them settle down. That does not mean the appointment is casual about time. Rick can be personable while still keeping the shoot moving.
The experience is available in English and French. If you have a precise request, explain it clearly at the start. The supplied information does not promise a formal planning consultation, so use the first few minutes efficiently.
What you receive after the shoot

Rick selects 25 images for editing and enhances those photographs before delivery. You also receive a copy of all originals, which gives you more choice than a package that provides only a small finished set.
The edited selection is useful if you want ready-to-share photographs without doing the work yourself. The original files are useful if you have your own editing preferences or want to keep a complete record of the session. The package does not include client proofing, so you do not choose which 25 images receive the standard edit.
That distinction is worth understanding before you book. If you want to review a larger set and choose every final image yourself, proofing and client selection can be arranged for an additional fee. Ask about that before booking rather than assuming it is included.
Images are placed in a private online folder through Google Drive within 24 hours. Several people received their photographs the same day, sometimes only a few hours after the session. You download them to your own device, so check that you can access Google Drive and have enough storage available.
Printing is not included. Additional proofing and printing services may be available, but you need to ask in advance.
Timing, clothing, and practical limits

The early morning slot is one of the main reasons to choose this experience. Morning light can be softer, and the area may be less crowded than later in the day. The listing describes the time as the best slot for light and crowd avoidance, but it does not promise an empty plaza or a specific sunrise condition.
Arrive early enough to be ready at the meeting point. Do not count on using the session to change clothes. The location does not allow for costume changes, and multiple outfits require extra time arranged before booking.
Wear something you can move in comfortably. You may be asked to walk, turn, change your stance, or repeat a pose from another angle. Since the session is outdoors, your clothing should also suit the morning conditions on your chosen date.
Keep your expectations aligned with the format. You receive a focused series of Eiffel Tower photographs, not a full personal photo session across Paris. A change of location must be discussed before booking, and additional requests such as a proposal or special props also need advance planning.
The private group format is helpful for couples and families, but make sure every member of your party is included when you book. The price is based on the number of participants.
Who will get the most from this session

I would recommend it most strongly to a solo visitor who wants proof of a Paris trip, a couple marking a special occasion, or anyone who wants professional images without giving up a full morning of sightseeing.
It also suits people who dislike posing. That may sound odd, but direct instruction can make the experience easier than trying to invent a pose while a companion holds a phone. Rick’s guidance gives you something specific to do.
Families can enjoy it too, though the shorter format rewards preparation. Decide in advance who should be in the group shots and which combinations matter most. If you want several arrangements or outfits, ask about extra time.
You may want to skip it if you prefer spontaneous phone pictures, need a long fashion session, or want photographs at several distant Paris locations. It is also not the right choice for someone looking for an interior Eiffel Tower visit or a history-focused tour.
Booking value and cancellation flexibility
At the listed $74 price for a group up to one person, this is a relatively focused purchase, so the value rests on the photographs rather than the sightseeing. You are paying for a professional eye, posing direction, a private appointment, 25 edited images, and the complete original set.
That package is more useful than a simple meet-and-shoot service because you receive help with the part many people find hardest: looking comfortable and choosing a good angle. The fast delivery adds value if you are still in Paris and want to share the images during your trip.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the appointment for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Paris schedule is still shifting. Check availability for the start times offered on your date.
Should you book the Eiffel Tower photoshoot?
Book it if you want polished Eiffel Tower photographs, dislike directing yourself, and can arrive on time for a compact early morning appointment. Rick Alarcon’s long experience, clear posing advice, private format, and quick delivery make the session a practical choice for a personal souvenir.
Before paying, confirm the price for your full group and contact the photographer about proposals, props, outfit changes, printing, proofing, or another location. If you accept the 30-minute limit and prepare in advance, this is a simple way to turn a famous Paris view into photographs you will actually want to keep.
FAQ
Where does the Eiffel Tower photoshoot meet?
Meet in front of the Théâtre National de Chaillot at 1 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75116 Paris.
How do I reach the meeting point by Metro?
Take Metro line 6 or 9 to Trocadéro and use Exit 1, marked Avenue du Président Wilson and Palais de Chaillot.
How long does the photoshoot last?
The private photoshoot lasts 30 minutes.
Is the session private?
Yes. It is offered as a private group experience.
Which languages are available?
The photographer provides the experience in English and French.
How many edited photographs are included?
You receive 25 photographer-selected and edited images.
Do I receive the original photographs too?
Yes. A copy of all originals is included along with the edited selection.
When will I receive the photographs?
The images are made available in a private Google Drive folder within 24 hours of the shoot. Same-day delivery may be possible.
Is client proofing included?
No. Proofing and client selection for editing are not included in the standard package, but additional proofing may be available for a fee.
Can I request a proposal, props, costumes, or another location?
Yes, but you must message the photographer before booking with your request. Different locations and extra arrangements need advance discussion.
Can I change outfits during the session?
The area does not allow for a costume change. If you want multiple outfits, ask about additional time before booking.
What happens if I arrive late?
You should arrive on time because the schedule is precise. Extra time is not added for late arrivals.
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