We know NYC Pawtographer as the street photographer of New York, capturing the city’s dogs and their personalities against the unmistakable backdrop of the Big Apple. Now, she’s taking her lens across the Atlantic for her latest editorial adventure: Dogs of Paris!
Inspired by her lifelong love of the City of Light — its history, architecture, charming streets, and, of course, its love for dogs — Carmen Gonzalez, A.K.A “NYC Pawtographer” ventured to Paris to capture the beauty of Paris dogs via the lens of Paris.
We caught up with NYC Pawtographer to talk about her Dogs of Paris project, meeting her canine models, scouting the city’s most photogenic locations, and what it’s like photographing pups on the streets of Paris.
DOGUE: Tell us about your Paris Dogs project
Carmen Gonzalez: The idea of photographing in Paris started because of my great love for this City. Ever since I can remember I have always loved everything about Paris, its history, architecture, food and as their love for dogs. Last year I venture for two weeks which combined my love for both and had a work-vacation. It was so wonderful that this year I am here for a month! Being able to photograph pups in Paris has given me a unique and amazing passport to meet wonderful people and their adorable pups, learn about the history and architecture of this incredible City while I walk miles exploring streets, allies and buildings scouting for the perfect locations for my beautiful models…can’t wait for next year!
DOGUE: How did you find your dog models in Paris?
Carmen Gonzalez: Through Instagram and with the help of friends in Paris. Also last year I was honored to have Guillemette Faure write an article about my work for the French newspaper Le Monde.
DOGUE: What are some of the locations you chose for your Paris shoots?
Carmen Gonzalez: Last year I visited some beautiful and historic locations, the Eiffel Tower from Rue de l’Université, where I photographed Waldo is probably the most popular spot to photograph in Paris so my advice is to get there very early in the morning. Pont Alexandre, the most famous and ornate bridge in Paris was the perfect backdrop for Beni. For Napoleon, Klaus and Molli, we visited some beautiful Parisian courtyards and alleys which like with tiny Klaus work perfectly with their size and personality! One of my favorites and the perfect spot for Maddie is Cour du Commerce Saint-André, an almost-hidden passage at 130, Bd Saint-Germain. Rue Crémieux a one block pedestrian street with quaint pastel painted houses that dates back to the 19th Century was the perfect spot for 4 months old Oski. Place des Vosges in the Marais with its wonderful red bricks was the perfect backdrop for the very stylish Fritz.
DOGUE: Why did you pick those locations, in particular?
Carmen Gonzalez: Finding locations is one of the most challenging parts of the shoots. There are so many beautiful locations to choose from and I do a lot of research and walking to find them. As always my subjects are the most important part of any photo, so I have to make sure that the backgrounds are not too busy or crowded that will take away from the pup. My goal with every photo is to show the personality of the pup in a photo that tells you we are in Paris without taking away from the pup.
DOGUE: Tell us about the pups, and the experience of doing a photoshoot in Paris.
Carmen Gonzalez: The pups like in every part of the world are adorable and amazing. There isn’t much difference in doing a shoot here, NYC or Puerto Rico. They are all their own little characters with their very own personalities. Some will make my job easy and some specially puppies will make me work a little harder. They all make me laugh as I learn how innocent and beautiful characters they are on their own. Their curiosity as to why I am sitting or lying on the street with them is the same everywhere.
Look for the full Dogs of Paris editorial in an upcoming issue of DOGUE! 📸 🇫🇷🐾
Follow Carmen Gonzalez on Instagram @nycstreetdogs for more of her four-legged adventures!