Family Photo Shoot in Zurich
Helen Bartlett is a London-based family photographer with over 20 years’ experience and a Canon Ambassador since 2017, specialising in natural, black and white documentary family photography across London, the UK, and Europe. This post shares a sneak preview from a family photo shoot in Zurich, a returning family with two young children that Helen has photographed for five years, captured at home over a relaxed morning.
Session at a glance
Zurich, Switzerland
Family photography at home (destination session)
A light-filled apartment, playroom, courtyard bicycle ride, indoor and window light photography
A light-filled apartment, playroom, courtyard bicycle ride, indoor and window light photography
Natural, black and white, lifestyle and documentary
Helen Bartlett, Canon Ambassador, 20+ years’ experience
It’s always such a treat when a family who I have known for some time asks if I would travel to photograph them abroad. It creates a lovely change of scene for me and there are always new photographic challenges and opportunities when photographing in different places. I also love to see a different sky in the middle of the busy season, as I don’t have the opportunity for a holiday during the summer months when I’m always so busy with family photo shoots. The chance to jump on a plane and spend 24 hours somewhere new and exciting was one not to be missed.
I’ve been photographing this lovely family for five years now, and this was our sixth photo shoot. Previously, our sessions had been tied into big events, Christenings and birthdays, and so it was a treat to just spend a day together recording everyday life and the joy that brings.
A stunning Zurich apartment with beautiful light
These clients had the most incredible apartment, with beautiful light-filled rooms and high ceilings. This was perfect, as our plans to visit a nearby forest were curtailed by a terrible weather forecast, so we were indoors for a good part of the day. It wasn’t a problem though, with large windows providing the playroom with lots of natural light, and great interior lighting helping out during the darker moments of the day. The children had a marvellous time playing with their toys and enjoying time with their family. Then, when the rain dried off we were able to play in the lovely courtyard too.
Joyful fun for the little one
I had last seen the littlest one for her Christening, as the family’s move to Zurich last year meant we missed our session in 2025. She has grown so much since I last saw her and is such a joyful little girl. We had a brilliant time playing games together, and I loved watching her play on her little keyboard, shy at first and then showing a fantastic stage presence, owning the room. Music and dance are family favourite activities, and it was lovely to see them passed down the generations.
Learning to ride a bicycle in the Zurich courtyard
For her brother, the real activity of the day was his bike, which came out during his sister’s nap time and gave us some of my favourite pictures. When he was one, I took a shot I love of him driving his little car, panning the movement with a slow shutter speed to show how fast he was going. Fast forward four years, and I used the same technique to record him flying round the courtyard on his bike.
Different moments, different moods
Spending a full morning with little ones means I get to see the full gamut of moods, from exuberance to quieter pictures as they play quietly or share a story together. I love this about photographing families, how there is so much variety over the course of a day.
A gentle moment with a grandparent
When I photographed the eldest’s newborn session back in 2021, one of my favourite shots was a family picture where he was holding his grandfather’s finger in his tiny hand. Fast forward the intervening years, and one of my favourite pictures from this photo shoot is of his sister, sat on the sofa with her grandfather gently stroking her head. Such tenderness, such love. This is a family where the intergenerational bonds are a joy to see and so inspiring. There is so much love here, and I’m so pleased I can record it in pictures that I know the children will cherish as adults.
Family fun from start to finish
This was a wonderful family photo shoot from start to finish, and I’m so thrilled with the pictures from our day together in Zurich.
If you have liked what you have seen on the blog today and would like to arrange your own family photo shoot this year, then do get in touch soon. The summer is getting busy and September is booking up extremely fast. Drop me a message via my contact form or give me a call on 07713329090, and together we can plan the perfect family photo shoot for your family.
Published July 2026
Frequently asked questions
Yes, I love travelling to photograph families outside the UK when the opportunity arises although I do only take on overseas trips for clients I have already met. Travel is always a treat and brings its own photographic challenges and opportunities, from different light to a new setting entirely. This Zurich session came about because I’ve built a relationship with the family over five years and six sessions.
This is never a disaster. If our outdoor plans are curtailed by rain or a poor forecast, we simply move indoors and make the most of it. On this Zurich session a nearby forest visit was ruled out by the weather, so we spent the morning in the family’s beautifully light-filled apartment instead, and it gave us some wonderful, natural pictures.
I love nothing more. Returning families are one of the real joys of this work, and this Zurich family is a lovely example, six sessions over five years, moving from Christenings and birthdays to simply spending an ordinary day together. Watching children grow and family bonds deepen over repeat sessions is something I treasure.
Absolutely. Some of my favourite images come from indoor sessions, especially in homes with good natural light. Large windows, a playroom, and everyday family life all make for beautiful, relaxed photographs, as they did during this Zurich shoot.
I’d recommend booking as early as you can, particularly for busy periods. My summer season fills quickly and September in particular books up extremely fast, so do get in touch in good time to secure your date.
This kind of relaxed, at-home family session suits returning clients who have moved abroad just as well as those based in London. I photograph families across London, the UK, and Europe, and I’m always happy to travel for the right session. If you’d like to arrange your own family photo shoot, I’d love to hear from you.
