PARIS, FRANCE | LOVE, THE COULSON'S

We woke at midnight with the neighbours above our 5th floor apartment in Canal Saint-Martin, Paris. Roo stirred with their noises and movements and then settled a few minutes later. 4am came and my alarm with it. We headed down the ninety two (I counted) stairs to the street and waited for our taxi to the airport.

Groups of people were heading home from a long night out. It felt different to how it does at home though. The air was warm, and the city felt kind. The groups passed Kesh and one directed the other to not speak loudly because of Roo in her arms.

I'd been warned that France and Parisian's wouldn't be friendly. In almost every situation, we found the opposite was true.

I want to speak the language though. When I come back, it will be with basic French under my belt. I've never felt as useless as I have (despite the kindness) when trying to explain myself without words.

My digital gear has barely left its bag. I've been favouring film on this trip - it feels different. I shoot once, instead of three or four times. I see the shot and shoot it. It's done and I love that. Here are a few digital frames that I did shoot.



75 comments:

  1. Paris is in the Spring is so beautiful! You are very lucky it's sunny because ten days ago it was terribly cold.

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  2. You should have asked, I totally would have come along as a translator! ;) Looks amazing... and Kesh totally looks Parisian.

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  3. Spectacular! And we found France to be exactly the same way. But I think happy, generous people find the best in every situation :)

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  4. can I just say again how very french and chic Kesh is looking in those pics!!!! What a lovely trip.
    when Justin & I were dating he worked in Paris for a few years. I loved the weekends I spent over there, it's an amazing city. I look forward to going back one day but till then I'll just look through your photos. And I hope you get back there soon. My French is hopeless and my mum was a French teacher:)
    Corrie:)

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  5. Gorgeous photographs! I went back to shooting more analog, too. Just feels more real to me.

    I love your wife's dress so much! Would you mind asking her where she got it? And the saltwaters... Unfortunately, there is no seller for those in Austria :(

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  6. these are amazing captures! looks like a whole lot of fun :)

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  7. Paris suits you... Although New York did too...
    Enjoy the next leg! xx

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  8. enjoy!!! - I'm enjoying it vicariously thru you guys thanks!

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  9. Your shots are amazing, Tim! Congratulations on making your dreams come true - I can't wait to make my own happen! I just returned from a 5 week stint in Africa and I wish I had been more knowledgable on photography etiquette so that I would have been braver with my DSLR. Would love to hear what your favourite lenses are for shooting while travelling.

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  10. The Coulsons in Paris - this made my morning so very beautiful. So much love.

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  11. so gorgeous! must be a real test in patience waiting to see the results of your film shots!

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  12. I love seeing these little glimpses into your travels with Roo and Kesh! I cannot wait to see your film photos! I've found myself switching to carrying my film camera around too. It seems so much more natural.

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  13. Oh man, they're all beautiful!

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  14. The photos are lovely. I was in Paris on my first overseas trip11 years ago and were at a laundromat doing laundry and then walked up the road to buy Chinese food for dinner from a take away shop. I looked at the food and pointed however the food was weighed and priced not just a small or large container. Seriously I was standing here for about 30 mins trying to understand how to order two containers of food. I felt so stupid that I didn't understand whata the vendor was saying and vice versa. The guy was smiling and I was because for all the words we both said we had no idea what the other was saying. So learning some basic French before you go to Paris would definately be advantageous. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  15. We delightfully discovered how friendly Parisians are a couple of years ago when we were there for a couple of days with our then 2 1/2 year old.
    I had heard the french were a little intolerant of non French speakers and our first encounter in a taxi at 10 pm enforced this. We woke the next morning hoping that was a one off and it was. Despite the language barrier we were given assistance everwhere we went and had the most beautiful experience at one of the metro stations. Sadie was a littel unwell and had fallen asleep in her dad's arms and I guess I had a worried look on my face as I was trying to work out which trains to catch to get back to our hotel. A beautiful French women stopped and said a few words, which I assume were "Where Do you need to go?" In half english half French I told her I didn't speak French and wasn't sure which trains connected. She took my finger and traced the map a couple of times with the station I had to stop at to change trains. She then kissed her finger and pressed it against my daughters head and muttered a few words in French. I'll never know what she said but with tears in my eyes I said "Merci, Merci Merci". She restored my faith in not only the French but people in general.
    Beautiful Kesh looks like she's home. Can't wait to see what's to come.

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  16. Everyone thought Jamie was going to propose to me in Paris. He took me up to the very top of the Eiffel Tower on NYE, despite his fear of heights and having already been up himself. Then that night, we brought in the new year on the steps of the Sacre Coeur with one of my bridesmaids and her girlfriend (we had not even planned to be in the same city on the other side of the world at the same time, let alone on New Years! Great minds...), one of his groomsmen and his wife and our friend Nick (who luckily for us spent years of his childhood in Paris and was able to tell us how we should order our coffees in France). Even without the proposal (which came a few weeks later under water in the Caribbean), it was the most memorable NYE of my life. Even with all the wine (I may have molested a fibreglass Santa Claus statue!)! Our plastic cups all broke and we drank from the bottle! Cigars were passed around, though none of us smoke! Our dinner of bread, cheese, meat, terrine and champagne in the courtyard of our hotel in Monmartre. Our pinball machine tournament with a couple of locals in a pub en route up the hill... SUCH a perfect night!

    Sorry red wine + your stunning pics of Paris = reminiscing!

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  17. Paris definitely seems like the kind of place for film! I've been twice and I only have a very very very basic smattering of French - I found people were incredibly understanding and appreciated the fact that you were making an effort to speak the language. But it is hard! My favourite places were St Germain & Montmartre. This is giving me such itchy feet!!

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  18. Everyone went to Paris this summer!

    I'll get there one day. Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!

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  19. I haven't been to France in 8 years and this post is making me want to jump on the next flight there. If you guys ever want French lessons, lemme know... It's about time I put my 2 French degrees to use :)

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  20. your photos are such an inspiration!

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  21. If only I knew you were in France, I would have love to meet you and have a coffee!
    I live near of Paris and I love your pictures!!!!
    So inspiring!!

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  22. Can't wait to see your analog photos! I'm in Paris now (studying French) and i too only shoot analog here :).

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  23. ooooh! i love paris! the sacre coueur is one of the most gorgeous sights in all the world, i'm sure of it! stunning photos. they took me right back to the magic of the city. you're incredible!

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