France Outdoor Locations - Portaiture (fashion or glamour)

[Oz_Beachside]

Wondering if anyone has travelled, or could offer some tips on locations for outdoor (and indoor) location for shoots in Southern France?

I've been to Paris, but looking for knowledge, tips, links, regarding southern france, and suitable locations for shoots.

Thoughts, bed and breakfast locations in traditional, french architecture, countryside, inside, outside, rivers, old roads, old "laneways". Most likely have a hire car.

Expect themes to be fashion, glamour (mix of nude, and non-nude).

thanks,
Oz

[Glen]

Loire Valley, some very beautifiul chateaux

[wendellt]

is someone paying you to shoot supermodels in the south of france?

or this a personal project?

either way im very jealous

theres lots of quaint villages in the south of france go to 'St Paul' which is very close to 'Nice' on the cote d'azure
its the best kept medievil village in the south of france but to shoot there im sure youll have to get permission

otherwise theres heaps of black rock beaches along the shoreline of 'Nice'



i think these rocks are much more sexy than sand

[Oz_Beachside]

its a tough gig, but someone has to do it... oh, any volunteers to hold reflectors?

thanks for the tips, I'll look into the region.

as for "permission", would that be a local council thing? (could be challenging if I dont speak french...).

If staying in a hotel, should I be asking the manager?

thanks
Oz

[wendellt]

its a tough gig, but someone has to do it... oh, any volunteers to hold reflectors?

thanks for the tips, I'll look into the region.

as for "permission", would that be a local council thing? (could be challenging if I dont speak french...).

If staying in a hotel, should I be asking the manager?

thanks
Oz

if your staying at a hotel i guess not

seriously i'll hold your reflectors and be your lonley planet dictionary translator if you can get me there

his year

[Oz_Beachside]

oh, and of course oil application...

should be a great experience, think I have access to Hensel Porty gear, but might take SB600, or 800s with me... another HK purchase

[wendellt]

so whats the shoot is it comissioned one?

the hensel porty pack is great ive used one the lights are small and the 1 battery pack can power two lights
just watch the battery at full power under the sun i got about 200+ flashes out of two batteries

just a reminder you cant bring wet cell strobe battery packs on international flights or even domestic ones

so make sure if you do bring a battrery pack it's not a cheapo wet cell one

or you will have to rent lights in france

good luck with it

[gstark]

Wendell,

i think these rocks are much more sexy than sand

If I've ever thought that I had a reason to worry about you, You have now confirmed that!

[Oz_Beachside]

Wendell,

i think these rocks are much more sexy than sand

If I've ever thought that I had a reason to worry about you, You have now confirmed that!

I didnt know how to respond to sexy rocks...

however, what I do like about them, is even if they have had lots of foot traffic, you cant see it, so they stay fresh. Maybe fresh = sexy

[wendellt]

Wendell,

i think these rocks are much more sexy than sand

If I've ever thought that I had a reason to worry about you, You have now confirmed that!

Uncle Gary i love your cynacism

thats why i hang around just for that off chance i may get that elusive stark delightful quib from you now and then

[radar]

Oz,

I'm fluent in French and available for travel and I've travelled the south of France.

A great reference to plan your trip is the Michelin site. You can find out how to get there, how long it will take, how much it will cost you in tolls, petrol, etc.

http://www.viamichelin.com/

In our most recent trip to France we visited the Auvergne region, not far south but middle south They have some awesome small town, some are rated as the most beautiful villages in France. Some that were great:

Montpeyroux: small village perched on top of rocky outcrop, heaps of charm
Besse: beautiful architecture, nice markets, river, surrounded by hills
Riom: very different architecture, lots of art and small alleys would make for some interesting shoot locations
Plus heaps more.

Another very interesting region is the Dordogne region. Beautiful river with spectacular cliffs, medieval towns. Towns in the region would be Domme, La Roquefort, Rocamadour. Quoting a site:
"This is a stunning area scattered with dramatically situated castles, fortresses, and cliff hugging villages that watch over the rivers that meander throughout this beautiful region."

Further south, visit Avignon and don't forget the small towns around the place and the vineyards around Chateauneuf-du-pape. And the wine is pretty good there too

Carcassone has a beautiful castle but that is closer to Spain.

Very importantly, get off the main roads, meander and get "lost", you will find the most amazing places, just nestled in the country side, waiting to be photographed. We have found a multitude of place like that.

Some of these places are better or worse, depending the season you are going. That's one thing you didn't tell us. Actually, nor really worse, just less perfect

Sound very interesting, I'm available on short notice

Cheers,

André

[Oz_Beachside]

sensational feedback, thanks for your help. Let me read the details...

oh, and think its May-07

[the foto fanatic]

There's some great shooting around the Camargue area in Southern France.

Many of the towns have Roman ruins; all of the coastal towns are beautiful; there is lots of flora & fauna.

Highlights for me were Arles (fabulous arena), Aigues-Mortes (walled city), and the grottos and underground caves of Clamouse.

Really, I'm sure you won't put your camera down.

[glamy]

As it has been said, to get off the main roads is the main ingredient. The photo opportunities are just about in every village. May 16-27 is the Cannes Festival. Did you mention models?
Cheers,
Gerard

[Oz_Beachside]

Flying into Toulouse, so anything within a few hours drive from there will be our locations

thanks for the valuable feedback all!

[glamy]

Just get ready for great food and wine. You got to try the "cassoulet", it is the specialty of the area, plus "foie gras" and superb small goods. The whole region is very picturesque, plenty of small villages, rivers in deep gorges...