Before She Burned: Notre Dame

Notre Dame de Paris has long been an emblem of history, art, and culture. For many, including myself, the first introduction to this iconic cathedral came through literature, particularly Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

As a child, I imagined the cathedral as something almost mythical, larger than life; its towering spires rising above the streets of Paris, its bells echoing through history. These grand impressions stayed with me into adulthood, and when I finally had the chance to visit Paris, I knew Notre Dame would be one of my first stops.

In April 2019, just two weeks before the devastating fire that would forever alter its structure, I stood armed with my camera, seeking to capture the cathedral’s grandeur. In 2019, over 12 million people visited Notre Dame de Paris—I was just one of them, and I was completely unaware that my images would soon become historical records.

This experience reshaped my relationship with travel photography, and reinforced the importance of preserving the moments I experience with photographs before they fade into history.

The Timeless Presence of Notre Dame

Construction of Notre Dame de Paris, meaning “Our Lady of Paris,” began construction in 1163 and took nearly 200 years.

The cathedral has stood as a witness to the changing tides of history—surviving revolutions, restorations, and centuries of transformation. Its flying buttresses, stonework, and inspiring rose windows have made it one of the most beloved and visited landmarks in the world.

It was early April, and the sky was overcast, creating a muted light over the cathedral. It was not the dramatic, golden-hour glow I had envisioned, but I decided to take the photographs anyway- who wouldn’t?

At the time, I will admit that I felt a tinge of disappointment. Not of seeing Notre Dame in person the first time, but rather that I wish the lighting had been better.  Now, I realize those images captured something far more significant—a Notre Dame that in just two weeks would soon never be changed forever.

Notre Dame Bursts Into Flames

On April 15, 2019 at 6:18pm, the world watched in horror as flames engulfed the roof of Notre Dame. The fire, believed to have started during restoration, consumed the entirety of cathedral’s roof and toppled its 19th-century spire.

Over 400 firefighters battled the raging inferno, while we all watched as what had taken more than 200 years to build was nearly destroyed overnight.

I felt an overwhelming sense of shock as I watched the flames engulf Notre Dame. It was a stark reminder that even the most enduring structures are not immune to destruction- and I also felt so grateful that I had been there so recently to see her for the first time.

For travel photographers, and all travellers and locals alike- this event served as a poignant lesson: Every photograph we take captures a moment in time.

Subscribe to my newsletter

Capturing the Imperfect, Preserving the Moment

Standing before the pre-fire Notre Dame with my camera, I had imagined a golden Parisian sunset casting warm hues across its facade. Instead, the sky was overcast, the light flat and uninspiring. 

But what once felt like dull gray skies and flat lighting lent my images a raw, unfiltered authenticity. I remember shrugging and thinking to myself – “Well, Paris is certainly famous for its rainy and cloudy skies – if anything this is as real as it gets…” I then proceeded to take the photos—unaware of how much they would come to mean.

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful that I did.

The message here isn’t about anticipating disaster or taking photos out of fear that something might one day be lost. It’s about appreciating the moment you are given. Conditions will never be perfect—whether it’s in photography, travel, or life itself. But that doesn’t make those moments any less valuable. 

Travel photography is not about capturing perfection, but telling a story. When travel photographers focus too much on ideal lighting or flawless conditions, we risk missing the scene’s essence. We miss capturing a part of the true soul of the place.

We need to move beyond our expectations of what social media sells, and appreciate the beauty in real life and art we are creating – authentic depictions of life as we experience it.

Every image taken in Paris, whether of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, or the cobbled streets of Montmartre, holds a piece of history, a whisper of a moment that will never be the same again.

The Role of Art in Remembering Notre Dame

Throughout history, Notre Dame has inspired countless works of art, from paintings and poetry, to literature. It makes me wonder—how many of those creations were the result of imperfect conditions? How many were born from a gray day like the one I experienced, from an artist standing in the shadow of its towers, letting their mind wander?

One of my primary objectives as a travel photographer is to create art that inspires conversation, encourages cultural immersion, and ignites the imagination. My hope is that my images, even in their imperfections, can contribute to this lineage of storytelling, preserving moments that might otherwise slip away unnoticed.

Photographs serve as time capsules, freezing fleeting moments for future generations to reflect upon. Whether you’re a professional photographer or a traveler with a smartphone, your images contribute to a visual history that future generations will look back upon.

My photographs of Notre Dame before the fire now carry a significance I never anticipated. They are not just personal memories but pieces of a larger narrative—one of loss, resilience, and renewal.

Gratitude for the Fleeting Moment

In the end, travel photography is not just about capturing beautiful images; it’s about preserving moments that tell stories beyond what meets the eye.

Whether it’s the grandeur of Notre Dame before its tragic fire, or the quiet beauty of a simple street in Paris, each photograph holds a deeper significance—one that transcends the conditions in which it was taken.

Through our lenses, we are not just documenting history; we are creating it, and actively shaping a visual narrative for generations after us to hopefully be able to reflect on and learn from. As a travel photographer, my mission is to continue embracing the present moment, imperfections and all, and to contribute to this ever-evolving tapestry of stories that remind us of the beauty in our world.

I am grateful that I took those photographs, and that I didn’t let an overcast sky deter me. I’m a more skilled photographer now than I was in 2018, but I’m also proud of my younger self for seizing the moment, and not thinking that I would simply take the time to capture Notre Dame on my next trip when conditions would hopefully be better.

The world is ever-changing, and history is constantly being rewritten before our eyes. Through my lens, I want to continue to share that story with you—one captured moment at a time.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my other travel photography blogs for more stories and inspiration from around the world.