Alright so I finally got those perfect empty Louis Vuitton Champs Elysees photos last week after messing it up like three times before. Figured I’d share exactly how I pulled it off because honestly? It feels impossible when you first see that street.
The Disaster Attempts
My first try was honestly stupid. I rocked up around 11 AM on a Tuesday thinking “weekday, should be fine”. Nope. The sidewalk looked like a packed concert. Tourists, shoppers, people just standing around… getting a shot without 20 strangers in it? Forget it. I snapped a quick pic of the facade thinking I could crop it, looked at my phone and almost cried. Pure chaos.
Second try I thought I was smarter – maybe late afternoon? Went around 4 PM hoping people would be having coffee or something. Worse. Still jam-packed, plus the light was all harsh shadows. My phone camera freaked out, overexposed the LV signs. Total garbage.
The “Aha!” Moment Plan
After raging a bit at home, I decided brute force wouldn’t work. Needed a strategy:
- Insane Timing: Committed to arriving at sunrise. I mean, literally as the sky starts getting light.
- Target Window: Aimed for 5:30 AM to 6:15 AM max. Street cleaners are finishing, delivery trucks are gone, and zero tourists.
- No Backpacks/Big Bags: Grabbed just my phone and a tiny crossbody. Looking like you’re gonna shop makes security eye you.
- Zoom Lens: Dumbest mistake before was standing too close. The iconic yellow awnings need space! Used my phone’s 2x zoom standing across the street.
Execution Morning
Alarm went off at 4:45 AM. Felt ridiculous. Ate a banana, chugged water, wore comfy sneakers. Took the first Metro heading towards Charles de Gaulle Étoile. Got out around 5:25 AM. It was still kinda dark, but streetlights lit up the storefronts.
Key Spots I Hit:
- Classic Facade Shot: Crossed the street diagonally opposite LV. Zoomed to 2x. Got the entire beautiful building with ZERO people blocking it. The pre-dawn blue light was unreal.
- Gold Sign Close-Up: Walked closer once I saw the street was dead. Pointed the phone UP towards the famous “Louis Vuitton” gold letters. Minimal editing needed later.
- Reflection Magic: It rained overnight! Puddles near the curb gave perfect mirror images. Squatted down low for those shots.
I swear, the whole thing took 10 minutes. Maybe saw two delivery guys on bikes and one jogger. Security guard stepped out but just nodded at me. Finished at 5:50 AM as the first bit of pink sunrise hit the top of the building. Grabbed a shot with that soft light too. By 6 AM, I was sipping coffee while the first wave of tourists started showing up. Felt smug.
Post-Shoot Reality
Headed back around 8 AM just to see the circus. Yep. Sidewalk packed solid again. Saw people trying and failing to get clean shots, shuffling around looking miserable. Felt super validating.
Bottom Line Truth: You want that empty, magical LV Champs shot? You pay with sleep. There is literally no other trick. Weekday, weekend – doesn’t matter. Before dawn or bust. Now go set that alarm!
