Family Photoshoot
Family photographer in Zurich
A family photoshoot in Zurich is a relaxed, child-paced session of about an hour in the lakeside parks or the old town, arranged through Alpiora with an independent local photographer, from CHF 450.
Pricing
From CHF 450
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Location
- Zurich
Starting price. The exact price depends on photographer, place, date, time and add-ons, and is stated in your proposal before you book.
Quick answers
- How much does it cost?
- Family Photoshoot in Zurich starts from CHF 450. The final price depends on the place, duration, date, time of day, travel and any add-ons such as video, and is stated in your proposal before you book.
- How long does it take?
- A typical session lasts 1 hour and you receive around 40 edited photos.
- What is included?
- A message or call beforehand about names, ages, mobility and what matters to you
- A meeting point near a tram stop, with toilets and a café within a few minutes
- Around 60 minutes of photography at the starting price, breaks included
- Group photos first, then free play, individual portraits and details
- Where does it take place?
- Popular places include Zürichhorn and the Blatterwiese; Seefeld and Utoquai promenade; Arboretum on the left shore; Lindenhof. Your photographer suggests the best spot for your date, the light and the crowds.
- When is the best time?
- For small children, the best hour is usually the one after breakfast or after the afternoon nap, not sunset: in late June the sun sets around 21.30. A 9.00 start at Zürichhorn gives soft light and empty lawns; a 17.00 or 18.00 start in summer gives warm light across the lake while children are still fresh.
- How does booking work?
- Send a free request with your place, date and plans. Alpiora checks which photographers are available and replies with a proposal stating the photographer, the package and the exact price. Nothing is booked until you accept.
Zurich is easier with children than its banking reputation suggests. The lake starts ten minutes from the main station, the shore is lined with flat promenades and lawns, and every tram is step-free enough for a pram. For a family session that means you can have water, grass, trees and a view of the Alps without a single uphill walk.
The families who book here are split roughly between residents and visitors. Residents often want the yearly portrait, a new sibling or a farewell before moving abroad; visitors want everyone in one frame before the train to Lucerne or the mountains. Both get the same approach: one or two places close together, a meeting point with a toilet nearby, and a photographer who shoots the play between the posed pictures.
For a wider view of places and seasons across the country, see our family photography hub for Switzerland. The city itself is covered in depth on our Zurich location page.
Where the session happens
- 01
Zürichhorn and the Blatterwiese
The most child-friendly setting in the city: open lawns on the east shore, jetties, big trees for shade and Jean Tinguely’s moving sculpture Heureka, which children like to watch. The Fischstube restaurant and the boat landing are at the water’s edge, so a snack or toilet break never means a long walk.
Best time: Late afternoon to golden hour; weekday mornings for empty lawns
- 02
Seefeld and Utoquai promenade
The level promenade from Bellevue towards Zürichhorn gives the city skyline across the water on one side and chestnut trees on the other. It is ideal for walking shots with a pram or a toddler on shoulders, and the swimming baths along the way give a change of scene.
Best time: The last two hours before sunset, looking back towards the city
- 03
Arboretum on the left shore
A park of old trees and lawns on the General-Guisan-Quai, across the lake from Zürichhorn and usually calmer. The trees give even shade on bright summer days, which suits babies and grandparents, and the lake wall makes a natural bench for a three-generation photo.
Best time: Morning, when the sun comes across the water; midday in summer for shade
- 04
Lindenhof
The tree-shaded square above the Limmat has stone chess tables and a fountain, and older children enjoy the view over the rooftops to the Grossmünster. It is reached on foot through the old-town lanes with a short climb, so it suits families with walking children better than a pram-only group.
Best time: Early morning for an empty square; late afternoon for light on the far bank
- 05
Rapperswil boardwalk and castle hill
For a half-day outing, the 841-metre wooden footbridge from Rapperswil to Hurden is flat and pushchair-friendly, and the castle hill has a deer park that holds children’s attention far longer than any prompt from a photographer. Trains from Zurich HB take about 36 minutes.
Best time: Late afternoon and evening light; June for the rose gardens
Typically included
- A message or call beforehand about names, ages, mobility and what matters to you
- A meeting point near a tram stop, with toilets and a café within a few minutes
- Around 60 minutes of photography at the starting price, breaks included
- Group photos first, then free play, individual portraits and details
- Around 40 edited high-resolution images in a private online gallery
- Personal use rights for prints, albums and sharing with family
Preparation
- Choose the hour your children are usually at their best; after a nap beats sunset.
- Bring a snack that does not stain, water and one small toy for attention.
- Coordinate two or three muted colours rather than identical outfits.
- Shoes that cope with grass, gravel and a few cobbles.
- Tell the photographer about a shy child, sensory needs or a grandparent who needs to sit.
- Keep the morning light: no zoo visit or long excursion right before the session.
- Bring a spare top for toddlers; the lake edge is very tempting.
Time of day
For small children, the best hour is usually the one after breakfast or after the afternoon nap, not sunset: in late June the sun sets around 21.30. A 9.00 start at Zürichhorn gives soft light and empty lawns; a 17.00 or 18.00 start in summer gives warm light across the lake while children are still fresh. Weekend mornings are calmer by the water than weekday evenings, when the promenades fill with people finishing work.
Weather
Zurich weather changes quickly. Summer afternoons can build thunderstorms, and from November to February a grey layer of low fog (Hochnebel) can sit over the city for days, while the top of Uetliberg is often sunny above it. In light rain the old-town arcades and passages keep everyone dry; in heavy rain your photographer suggests another time within your stay, and how rescheduling works is stated in your proposal. Soft grey light is kind to children’s faces, so a cloudy day is not a reason to cancel.
Getting there
Zurich HB is 10 to 15 minutes by train from Zurich Airport. For Zürichhorn, take a tram from Bellevue towards Tiefenbrunnen, or walk the flat 20 minutes along the lake. The Arboretum is a short walk from Bürkliplatz or Enge station, and Rapperswil is about 36 minutes by S-Bahn. Children under six travel free on Swiss public transport when accompanied; a car is more trouble than help in the centre.
Photographer availability
We confirm availability for your date personally — send a request and we will check which reviewed photographers are free for this place and session.
Find My PhotographerFrequently asked questions
How much does a family photographer in Zurich cost?
Family sessions in Zurich start from CHF 450 for about 60 minutes and around 40 edited photos. Larger groups, longer sessions, weekend slots and travel outside the city add to the price. The exact figure is in your proposal before you book.
Where is the best place for family photos in Zurich with toddlers?
Zürichhorn on the east shore of the lake. It is flat, has lawns to run on, jetties, trees for shade and a restaurant with toilets by the water. The Seefeld promenade leading to it is pram-friendly all the way from Bellevue.
Do we need a permit for a family photoshoot in Zurich?
Usually not. The City of Zurich lets small shoots on public ground go ahead without a permit when they use minimal portable equipment, last up to an hour including set-up and involve no more than five people. A large extended-family group can fall outside that rule, so mention the number of people and your photographer will check what applies.
Can grandparents with limited mobility join?
Yes. Say so in your request and the session will be planned on level paths with benches, such as the Arboretum or the lakeside promenade, with the group photos taken first while everyone is fresh. Lindenhof and the old town involve cobbles and a short climb, so they are optional.
What if it rains during our Zurich family session?
Light rain can be photographed under the old-town arcades, and children in rain boots often make the most natural pictures. In heavy rain or a storm your photographer proposes another time, and the rescheduling terms are stated in your proposal.
Can we combine family photos with a few couple photos?
Yes, and many parents do. The photographer usually photographs the parents alone at the end, while a grandparent or older child keeps the little ones busy. If you want more than a few frames, a 90-minute session gives room for both.
Do you also photograph pregnancies in Zurich?
Yes. Many families book a maternity session in Zurich before the birth and return to the same lakeside place for a family session afterwards.
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Plan your family photos in Zurich
Send us your dates, where you are staying and the ages of the children. The request is free and without obligation; we reply personally with a proposal naming the photographer, the plan and the price.
Free request · No payment required · No obligation