Springtime in Paris at the Park
Taking a walk around Paris with my camera and reflecting on my photography goals.
My keyboard-tapping fingers are nearly defrosted.
As I write these words, the sun warms my skin and the magnolia trees bloom. The warmest day of the year tells me I’ve survived my first Parisian winter. Oof. I almost didn’t make it. But now I understand the magic of Paris in the springtime. Le Printemps. It feels like overnight, the barren trees are full of leaves again—and people on the metro are significantly less grumpy.
To many, spring symbolizes a fresh start, renewed energy, and rebirth. The first quarter of the year has already passed, and the next three months offer a fresh slate to be intentional about what I bring to life.
When I moved to Paris, I had high expectations for what I would create. I wanted to feel inspired by the city and make as much as possible. Now, I can see that I’m feeling the most creative I’ve ever felt in my life, even though my studies tend to activate the more analytical side of my brain. That means accessing the creative side is completely up to me and my self-discipline.
One wish I had for myself when moving here was to significantly improve my photography skills. I started learning photography in high school when my dad bought me a digital camera for my 16th birthday (the same camera I still use to this day). Since then, photography has floated in and out of my life sporadically over the last 13 years. In the past couple of years, though, a small seedling of thought has taken root: I want to take my skills to the next level.
That thought became much clearer when I read Atomic Habits by James Clear (an amazing read if you haven’t picked it up!). In one chapter, he explains the law “Make it easy” and the difference between being in motion vs. being in action. It stuck with me because he used a photography class as an example. The story goes that in a photography class, students were split into two groups: the 'quantity' group, graded on the number of photos taken, and the 'quality' group, graded on the excellence of a single photo. At the end of the term, the best work came from the quantity group, who improved their skills through practice and experimentation, while the quality group struggled with perfectionism and produced only one mediocre photo.
It’s easy for me to get caught up in theory and planning. But if I want to improve my photography skills, I only need to get out there and take more photos.
All of this to say: I’m using the energy of springtime to set a goal for myself—to take 50 new photos that I’m proud of.
I have a friend, Noelle, who shares the same interest in photography, and the two of us decided to take advantage of the spring weather. We wandered through a park we hadn’t visited before and waltzed through a flea market with our cameras in tow. There’s truly no better way to enjoy springtime in Paris than at the park through a camera lens and in good company.
Enjoy the photos!
A creative mind and design professional, Julia is an Art Director, Senior Graphic Designer, Beauty Enthusiast, and a Master's Student in Global Communications. This blog is an extension of her multi-faceted journey, offering a space to explore the intersections of design, beauty, culture, and lifestyle