In many families, part of the wedding happens among women: the bride getting ready, the henna night, sometimes a whole reception hall. A male photographer can't go in, or everyone tenses up. That is often where the most beautiful photos of the day are.
I'm a photographer in Paris, I speak Arabic, French and English, and I created a dedicated package for exactly these weddings. Here is what it changes, and how to prepare your day.
1. The short answer
A female photographer can be everywhere: with the bride during preparations, at the henna, in the women's hall, and at the town hall or reception with everyone.
And because modesty matters, we decide together before the wedding what can be photographed, who may appear without a veil and what stays in the family. Your photos are delivered in a private, password-protected gallery, and nothing is posted on my social media without your written consent.
2. The moments where a woman makes the difference
They are often the most moving moments, and the ones people forget to plan for:
- The bride's preparations: hair, make-up, the dress or the kaftan, her mother and sisters around her.
- The henna, with the songs, traditional outfits and decorated hands.
- The women's hall, when the celebration is not mixed: the dancing, the zaghareet, guests taking off their veils.
- The bride's outfit changes, which often set the rhythm of the whole evening.
I know these moments, I know how to wait for the right second during the couple's entrance, and I organise group photos quickly, without rushing anyone.
3. Modesty: we talk about it first
A wedding that works in photos is above all a wedding where nobody feels uncomfortable. Before the day, we go through:
- who can be photographed without a veil, and who would rather not be;
- guests who don't want to appear at all (we note them down and I avoid them);
- moments or places with no photos, if there are any;
- photos kept for the family only, never shared.
By default, your photos stay only in your private gallery. If one day you'd like me to show one or two on Instagram, you choose, and always in writing.
4. Planning the day
Every family does it their own way, but in Paris the programme often looks like this:
- The town hall: in France, the civil marriage must take place before any religious ceremony. It is often short and very moving, perfect for a 2-hour package.
- The henna: sometimes the day before, sometimes a few days earlier, often among women.
- The reception, with the couple's entrance, outfit changes and family photos.
If the henna and the reception are on different days, we can combine packages, for example a half day for the henna and a full day for the reception. Tell me your programme and I'll send you a quote.
5. My packages
I only offer photography, no video, which keeps my prices gentle:
| Package | What's included | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Town hall wedding | From 2 hours on site, up to €400 depending on length, private gallery | from €250 |
| Henna or half day | 6 hours on site, 120+ edited photos, private gallery | €500 |
| Wedding, full day | 8 to 10 hours on site, 200+ edited photos, private gallery | €750 |
I travel across Paris and the whole Île-de-France region. Just mention the venue in your message.
6. Questions to ask your photographer
Whether you choose me or not, ask these before you sign:
- Will it really be you on the day, or someone else?
- Can you go into the women's hall and photograph the preparations?
- Do you post your clients' photos? With what consent?
- What happens if a guest doesn't want to be photographed?
- Do you speak our families' language?
