Notes from Europe: Day Two

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Have you ever had a great idea that everyone was super excited about, but then life got in the way and you never got around to it? Yeah, this blog series was kinda like that. Whoops. Better late than never?! I think so.

Day Two begins early, I mean really early…

So Day 2 of our European vacation picks back up in Paris after we just had an incredible day of exploring the city. We knew that we needed to get to bed early so that we would be able to wake up at the crack of dawn for our anniversary session (I mean I’m talking like 4:30 am people!). So the next morning when that alarm clock went off, it felt like it was in the middle of the night BUT we knew we couldn’t hit the snooze button because something SO amazing was happening.

IT WAS PHOTO DAY! I sprung up, did my hair and makeup and gathered all of our stuff to get ready to leave for the BEST DAY EVER. No seriously, it was the highlight of our trip. We met the most amazing human, Gabi Alves, who was our photographer and our Parisian guide (AKA a godsend).

First things first, the Eiffel Tower

It was slightly chilly that morning but it warmed up as the sun came out. We were anxious and excited and MAN it was the most beautiful day for pictures. If I’ve ever photographed you, I’m sure you hear me talking on and on about good light and that golden hour glow. Well, the Parisian sun was just showing off that morning because the light was SOOOOO GOOOOOD! I could not wait to explore and have our photographs taken. We walked to the Place du Trocadero to meet up with Gabi and she did not disappoint!

The Tiny Parisian Godsend

Gabi is tiny like me and both hit it off right away! She is SO good at giving posing directions and is a serious expert at all things Paris. She knew all the best photo spots in the three places that I wanted to have our photos taken (the Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Gardens, and the Louvre). Bonus points – she brought an amazing assistant with her who was able to capture some behind the scenes photos and videos for us that we treasure so much!

After we finished photos at the Eiffel Tower, we headed over to the Tuileries Gardens. If you’ve never heard of Tuileries Garden, it is home to the most beautiful rows of trees, a huge fountain, and even a Ferris wheel! It’s also right next to the Lourve which made it the perfect spot for our next set of photos.

We danced and laughed so hard our stomachs hurt

We slow danced to cheesy love songs and just had the most fun anyone’s ever had while having their pictures taken. (Okay, I might be a little biased on that one but I’m pretty sure it’s true.) I twirled in my dress and Gabi made me feel like one of those girls on America’s Next Top Model. It. Was. Fabulous. The fun wasn’t over yet, so we made our way to our last stop on our photo adventure, The Louvre.

Photographs don’t do it justice

You’ve seen pictures, you’ve heard all about the amazing art inside, but you’ve never understood the grandeur and magnificence of the architecture until you are standing in its courtyard. As someone who had never been to Europe before, the Louvre was the most beautiful building I had ever seen. The attention to detail in each of the inches of sculpted rock was breathtaking. It was so surreal to be walking around in a place that didn’t even seem real. We were up so early that the Louvre was almost deserted which was fantastic for us! We strolled around and took photos without having to dodge all the tourists that would be showing up a few hours later.

Cuddles and a café

We wrapped things up at the Louvre and still had some time left in our 2-hour session, so Gabi, being the absolute gem that she is, took us to one more secret spot for a few last photos. She brought us to a little café called Le Nemours, which just so happened to be the exact spot where Angelina Jolie filmed the opening scene of “The Tourist” (I included a video clip of the scene I am referencing for all you movie nerds like me). We ordered a picture perfect latte and the best croissant I have ever had. Next, we took some snuggly café photos and then Gabi just sat with us and chatted.

Damion and I are so grateful that she was referred to us from across the world because we couldn’t have imagined spending the day with anyone else. She is so genuine and sweet! At the end of our time together, she taught us how to use the french metró (aka the cleanest subway ever) and translated for us at the metró ticket counter. Now you see why I said she was a Godsend?! I mean we took the metró everywhere and I don’t think we would have figured it out if it wasn’t for her.

So grateful for a new friend

We are so grateful for Gabi and her incredible photos. They will be cherished for the rest of our lives and will remind us of a time when we were young, and in love in Paris. Check out the photos to see for yourselves!

XO,

Chloé

chloe dam photography travel blogger paris europe