Paris Sweet 16 theme is among the most popular dream parties. But what if your dream is to fly and celebrate your birthday in Paris and get as “Paris” as possible? These hard-working NJ parents turned their daughter’s dream into a reality. There are a few bombshell revelations related to this trip, too!
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Sweet 16 Paris: to Theme or Trip?
Embarking on an extraordinary in-real-life journey overseas, this alternative approach to a local Sweet 16 celebration takes the concept of a Paris-themed party to a whole new level. Imagine strolling along the romantic streets of Paris, savoring mouthwatering pastries at quaint cafes, and immersing yourself in the rich history and culture of the City of Love.
By choosing to celebrate your Sweet 16 in Paris, France, you not only add an unparalleled touch of elegance to your special day but may also create once-in-a-lifetime memories that will keep your mind wandering off and your smile brightening your face for decades to come. It’ll stick better than a party with Eiffel Tower banners. Picture yourself standing atop the iconic tower, with stunning panoramic views of the city sprawling below you, or exploring the magnificent halls of the Louvre, surrounded by world-renowned works of art.
In addition to the enchanting landmarks and experiences Paris offers, indulging in authentic French cuisine becomes a highlight of this unforgettable trip. From delectable croissants for breakfast to exquisite macarons for dessert, every meal becomes a delightful adventure for your taste buds.
For those who are looking to add a touch of elegance to their attire while exploring the city, wearing a stunning piece of tanzanite jewelry can provide a perfect complement to the luxurious Parisian ambiance.
Sweet 16 Paris-Themed Party
Pros
Cons
- For smaller parties, cost-effective compared to traveling to Paris
- Allows for a larger guest list and more people to celebrate with
- Can create a unique and memorable experience with themed decorations, food, and activities
- Convenience of having the party at a local venue or at home
- Easier to coordinate and plan for a larger group of people
- The experience may not be as authentic as actually being in Paris
- Limited to the local environment and may not capture the ambiance and charm of Paris
- May require more effort in terms of planning, organizing, and decorating
- The theme may not resonate with everyone or be as meaningful as traveling to Paris
Sweet 16 Paris Trip
Pros
Cons
- Provides an immersive and authentic experience in the city known for its culture and landmarks
- Opportunity to create lifelong memories with family in a new and exciting environment
- Can explore and discover the beauty of Paris, visit iconic attractions, and experience the local cuisine
- Provides a unique way to celebrate and mark a milestone birthday
- Excellent opportunity for cultural exchange and language learning
- Higher cost of travel, accommodation, and activities compared to having a small local party
- Requires more planning, coordination, and logistical arrangements for the trip
- May be limited to a smaller group due to cost and travel constraints
- Language barriers and unfamiliarity with the local customs
- Potential for unforeseen travel disruptions, such as flight delays or cancellations, impacting the celebration
Meet the Family
Meeting Kayla and her mom, Yveline, with her little sister, Markayla, was a little adventure itself, started in 2022. Imagine sitting at your serene Poconos home on Thanksgiving morning, with the holiday free of any shoots (though I’m open to shooting on holidays), and receiving a message from mom:
They were visiting the Pocono Mountains and tried to reach out to local photographers to no avail—they were either booked or, understandably, had family plans. I was game and, a few hours later, met them at one of my favorite Poconos shoot locations, Raymondskill Falls. Here’s Yveine’s review she left afterward:
We went to the Pocono’s and things were getting a little boring for the girls and we have decided to call up couple photographers in the area. Mind you it’s thanksgiving day. We had little hope until my phone rung and there he is….The photographer of the year. In about 2-3 hours, We were already in the mountains by the most beautiful waterfall (his choice of location). We were running late, and he let me fixed my makeup. He was so amazing with my little one. She’s three years old. She always cry when we take pictures but this time even though it was cold in the mountains, she was smiling she was enjoying herself. Oh my god this guy is angel with a camera. He is by far my favorite photographer. The pictures were amazing and the quality is outstanding. I would recommend him to anyone.
With such a warmly built relationship, I wasn’t surprised to hear back from her a year later about her daughter’s Swett 16 Paris photoshoot. What wasn’t expected is that the birthday celebration wasn’t just Paris-themed but planned to happen in Paris, France!
Destination Photographer
I’m an experienced destination photographer. I’ve written quite a few cool destination photography stories, from a maternity session in the snowy peaks of Alaska, to a six-day Indian wedding spanning half of India, to a steamy shoot in the White Sands desert of New Mexico, to underwater yoga in the caves of Dominican Republic, to a maternity shoot on a cliff of a legendary Greek island of Corfu, to a Viking wedding in Ohio, to a rural wedding in Portugal. As of the beginning of 2024, I worked in 35 US states and 23 countries.
I also worked in France on a romantic session for an Indian couple in Nice and Monaco and a countryside wedding in a castle near the Alps. As for Paris, I got to see the Eifel Tower with my family:
Making it Happen
It’s one thing when an investment banker, a doctor, or an architect takes her daughter to Paris to celebrate her Sweet 16. Here, a hard-working family from Newark, NJ, goes the extra mile for their children. Yveline is a nurse; her husband, Henry, is a phlebotomist (lab technician who draws blood).
They are grateful to have Kayla as their child and describe her as an exceptional daughter, a delightful, nurturing, bright, and empathetic young woman excelling in her sophomore year of high school. She aspires to pursue a career as a psychologist in the future. She has a passion for writing and dancing and enjoys spending time with her younger sister.
When Kayla asked if she could celebrate her Sweet 16 in Paris, the loving parents couldn’t refuse. And what would such a birthday celebration be without an artistic memory? Hiring a photographer for her Paris Sweet 16 photoshoot was a must, and on the heels of our previous lovely experience, Yveline reached out to me.
Realizing how difficult it was for them, I offered my all-day shoot for the price of just two hours. All stars aligned for this exceptional offer, and I love giving treats to special clients, like free shoots in my RomancEd contest for couples. I also helped with travel and accommodations, customarily covered by clients for my destination photography assignments. I flew from NYC to Paris via Turkey, extending my travel time from straight 7 hours to 14 in-flight plus an overnight layover. Lastly, I found an atypical way to stay a night in Paris… Find out more at the end of this blog story!
A Day in the Life of…
Now, closer to the exciting part. Remember I mentioned an all-day shoot? Such sessions (aside from weddings) attract the most creative and devoted clients. These are crème de la crème, resulting in some striking artworks. Recently, I started offering a new take on all-day shoots, focusing less on the extraordinary and more on a documentary. I call them A Day in the Life of…
As the title goes, I follow someone the entire day, capturing all the special moments—real and staged. A Day in the Life approach is a unique style of photography that involves capturing the everyday moments and activities of individuals or groups. By documenting their daily routines and interactions, I create a more authentic and candid portrayal of their lives. This approach allows for a deeper connection between the subjects and the viewers, resulting in compelling and meaningful photographs.
My first attempt at that was with a very special Jewish-Catholic family whose mom I’ve known as a client since 2007. I went into their house in the pandemic year of 2020 for the holiday season and created an unforgettable experience featuring an intimate glimpse into a suburban family life with two kids, a dog, and chickens.
A Sweet 16 Paris trip sounded like a perfect setting for another A Day in the Life project! I shared my thrill and vision with Yveline, and they were totally on board!
The Plot and Reality
Here’s how I saw this: I’d fly in the night before, go to them early in the morning while they are barely awake, document the morning rush to get ready for the city exploration on a double-decker tour bus, take a midday break to change into a formal outfit, do a Sweet 16 Paris photoshoot by the Eiffel Tower, then go for a family dinner to celebrate the birthday! I would then fly out the following day.
We set the shoot day for January 18, 2024, and all bookings were made months before. As the day approached, it was forecasted to be the only rainy day that week… Oh, the despair… The family would stay there for almost a week and enjoy the sunny Paris, but paying for my visit and staying indoors would be unfortunate.
Foreseeing the unforeseen, I gave myself a buffer time to leave Paris late the following day. My plan B was to break the shoot into two days, shooting a bit of the hotel room vibe and the birthday dinner on the rainy 18th, then the rest on the 19th for as long as possible to catch my evening flight further east to Moldova where something very special is shaping up for my family and business… You may peek at it at the end of this story.
I will still present the story in the initial plot, switching the images around for a “would be” scenario. So here it is, a day in the life of Kayla, celebrating her Sweet 16 Paris birthday! Remember, not all images are meant to be “picture perfect”—such as the documentary concept.
Paris Sweet 16 Photoshoot
Such an extraordinary alternative to a traditional Sweet 16 Paris theme party elevates your birthday celebration to new heights of sophistication and creates cherished memories that will be the envy of all. So, why settle for a mere Paris-themed party when you can embark on a journey that will truly transport you to the city’s heart? Celebrate your Sweet 16 with the elegance and grandeur that only Paris can offer, and make your dreams come true in the most extraordinary way.
Thank you, Yveline and Henry, for taking such wonderful care of your daughters and treating me like a family member!
Behind the Scenes
Here’s the Eiffel Tower in its rainy-day glory. Although not perfect for a Sweet Sixteen Paris photo session, doesn’t it look like a trip back to 1887 when the tower was being built?
I went to the Louvre the first day I arrived to enjoy the masterpieces, including 1503 Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Big crowd… And look how massive that 1805-07 Coronation of Napoleon painting by Jacques-Louis David is! The length is over 32 ft (almost 10 m)! Another 1808 painting, The Burial of Atala by Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson, is a perfect example of the lighting I grew up on and developed as an artist, as seen in many of my dramatic photography works. I wish we had another day to stroll the museum, although fitting it into our packed A Day in the Life concept would be impossible.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes video that Yveline created for herself and kindly shared with me:
💎 Exclusive Content
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- what was the real challenge in this shoot
- how realistic is the cover image of this story
- a hidden cheap gem I found for my Paris accommodations mere blocks away from the Eiffel Tower
- see just where I spent two layover nights in Turkey (not for everyone!)
- what shocking business brought me to Moldova right after this Sweet 16 Paris photoshoot
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