Fancy Photos

This Portlander Became a Paparazzo for Paris Fashion Week

Local video editor Nicholas Davis turned his Parisian vacation into a celebrity-watching extravaganza.

By Eden Dawn Photography by Nicholas Davis July 19, 2016

Grace Coddington at Valentino

Editor's note: OMG GRACE CODDINGTON!

Jessica Chastain at Chanel

"I mean, she walked out of the Chanel show and you just felt a celebrity huge celebrity presence. I had weaseled my way closer to the front of the exit crowd at the Chanel show, having just missed Mill and Willow Smith for being too far away. And then, one of my favorites walks out. Not only did she walk out, she stayed and hung out with the fans and took selfies. This picture sums up my Jessica Chastain experience—she made time to make sure everyone could get a good picture or get a chance to say hi. And my wife and I agree that her hair looked great. We much prefer when she rocks a classic look."

Giovann Battaglia at Chanel

Ulyana Sergeenko at Chanel

Kelly Peach at Giambattista Valli

"My wife, the super talented Kelly Peach, coming out of the backstage area after doing hair at the Giambattista Valli show. Always looking flawless. #nofilter"

Celine Dion at Giambattista Valli

"I don't know what really to say. I was 4 feet from Celine Dion and it was pretty cool. All I kept thinking in my head as I was trying to get a shot through her intimidating security was, 'I'll never let go,' And then I got a decent clear shot. She is another one of those people who's presence is pretty powerful. You can just feel it."

Designer Christian Louboutin at Valentino

"For as much as my wife uses his name in everyday conversation, I knew that this is a man whose picture I want. My only regret was not going up to him and asking for a selfie. He seemed like a very approachable guy and I should have taken the opportunity before he rode off on his scooter. So instead, I bought a pair of his shoes... What, I had to ;)"

Milla Jovovich at Valentino

"In a word, stunning. Her presence in a crowd was awe-inspiring. She rocked the fashion perfectly and just looked perfect. Like I said, just stunning. Those piercing blue eyes through the lens are a pretty powerful thing. I truly understand why people want to take her picture."

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana at Valentino

Designer Vera Wang at Valentino

"Not much of a shot, but hey, it's Vera Wang. That's kind of a big deal. And I think she was late, because she hustled through that crowd really fast."

Zoe Kravitz at Valentino

"You know sometimes a car just pulls up right in front of where you are standing and out pops Zoe Kravitz. I started snapping early and I think I got what can be called my perfect paparazzi shot of the week. Luck, timing and placement also seem to be a bit part of the fashion paparazzi game. I was in the right place at the right time for this shot."

By day, Nicholas Davis spends his life as a commercial editor, splicing together memorable spots on raising Olympian athletes, that crazy Verizon commercial with all the colored balls on every Hulu commercial break, and Darrell Hammond as Colonel Sanders.

But in his off time, as husband to frequent Portland Monthly hair and makeup contributor Kelly Peach, Davis chases his wife around on her busy travel schedule. As Peach was working behind the scenes coiffing models for runway shows at Paris Fashion Week this month, Davis picked up his camera and joined the throngs of paparazzi outside the show. Because hey, why not?

Davis dispatched us some of his favorites and notes on his experience as a first time celeb photog.

Fashion Show, Photography

Show Comments

Portland Monthly

This Portlander Became a Paparazzo for Paris Fashion Week

Related Content

Portland Got Snow and We Took Pictures

Viewpoint: Portland's Protests Underscore Why the Police Are Feared

Here's What the Protests Looked Like on Saturday Night

The Aftermath of Friday Night's Protests