If you’re planning a family trip to Switzerland and looking for a beautiful place to capture your memories together, Château de Chillon deserves a spot at the top of your list.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva between Montreux and Villeneuve, this iconic medieval castle is one of Switzerland’s most photographed landmarks. But what many visitors don’t realize is that the area surrounding the castle also happens to be an incredible location for relaxed and natural family photos.
As a family photographer based on the Swiss Riviera, I’ve photographed families from around the world here, and it’s one of my favourite locations to recommend for visiting families who want beautiful images without committing to a long hike or complicated logistics.
Why Château de Chillon Works So Well for Family Photos
One of the biggest challenges with family photography is finding a location that keeps both parents and children happy.
Château de Chillon offers something rare: stunning scenery combined with easy access.
Within just a few minutes’ walk, you’ll find:
- Beautiful views over Lake Geneva
- The castle itself as a unique backdrop
- Lakeside pathways perfect for candid moments
- Open areas where children can move around freely
- Mountain views in the distance
- Plenty of variety without needing to change locations
Because everything is close together, younger children don’t need to walk far, which helps keep the experience enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.
Do You Need to Go Inside the Castle?
Not at all.
In fact, most of the family sessions I photograph here take place entirely outside the castle grounds.
The lakeside paths, waterfront viewpoints, stone walls, and surrounding scenery offer more than enough variety for a beautiful gallery.
For many families, staying outside is actually easier. Children have more freedom to move around, parents don’t need to worry about entrance tickets or crowds, and we can focus on creating genuine moments together rather than rushing between attractions.
The Best Time of Day for Family Photos
One of the questions I get asked most often is, “What time should we schedule our session?”
While Château de Chillon is beautiful at any time of day, my favourite sessions almost always happen in the hours leading up to sunset.
If you’ve ever looked at a photo and wondered why it feels so calm, warm, and inviting, chances are the light had something to do with it. As the sun gets lower in the sky, everything softens. The lake starts reflecting beautiful colours, the mountains seem to glow, and the whole atmosphere becomes a little more magical.
From a practical perspective, it’s often a lovely time for families too. The busiest part of the day is usually behind you, the summer heat has eased, and many children have settled into the rhythm of the day. There’s less rushing around, which means more space for genuine interactions, spontaneous laughter, and those little moments that make family photographs feel like memories rather than poses.
Of course, every family is different. If you have very young children with an early bedtime or a schedule that doesn’t work with an evening session, don’t worry. We’ll always find a solution that works for your family first. Beautiful photographs are important, but a relaxed and enjoyable experience is even more important.
What Should We Wear?
If you’re staring at an open suitcase wondering what on earth everyone should wear, take a deep breath. You’re definitely not the first.
The beautiful thing about Château de Chillon is that it already provides so much visual interest. Between the castle, the lake, the mountains, and the changing colours of the water, the scenery is doing a lot of the heavy lifting for us. That means your outfits don’t need to be complicated.
I generally recommend soft, timeless colours such as creams, beige, soft blues, sage greens, and other natural earth tones. These colours tend to complement the landscape beautifully and help create photographs that will still feel timeless years from now.
The only things I’d suggest avoiding are large logos, neon colours, or lots of competing patterns that can draw attention away from the people in the photographs.
And perhaps my favourite piece of advice: don’t worry about matching perfectly.
Some of the most natural and elegant family photographs happen when everyone’s outfits simply work well together rather than being identical. Think coordinated rather than matching. The goal isn’t for people to notice what you’re wearing. It’s for them to notice the connection between the people in the image.
If you’re unsure, I’m always happy to help. Many of my clients send me photos of their outfit options before their session, and I’m more than happy to give my thoughts.
What If My Children Don't Like Having Their Photos Taken?
Honestly? This is probably the concern I hear most often from parents.
Almost every family arrives with at least one child who has either announced they don’t want photos taken, is convinced the whole thing sounds boring, or has simply decided that today is the perfect day to test everyone’s patience. And as a former event planner, I can confidently say: that’s completely normal.
The good news is that I’m not expecting your children to stand still, smile perfectly, and look at the camera for an hour. In fact, that’s not really the kind of family photography I love creating anyway.
Some of the most meaningful images happen in the in-between moments. A child running ahead to investigate something interesting. A sibling making their brother laugh. A spontaneous cuddle. Someone pulling a funny face when they think nobody is looking. Those little moments are often the ones that bring parents right back to how this season of life actually felt.
So if you’re worried that your children are too energetic, too shy, too stubborn, too silly, or simply too busy being children, please know that you’re in very good company.
My job isn’t to make your family fit into a photoshoot.
It’s to create a space where your family can simply be yourselves, while I quietly turn those moments into memories you’ll still treasure years from now.
A Recent Family Session at Château de Chillon
Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing a wonderful family visiting Switzerland from South Africa.
With four children ranging from young childhood to adulthood, we created a mixture of relaxed family portraits and candid moments against the stunning backdrop of Lake Geneva and Château de Chillon.
One of the things I loved most about this session was how naturally the location adapted to different generations. Whether photographing the entire family together or smaller combinations of parents, siblings, and individual portraits, the surroundings offered endless variety without ever needing to travel far.
It’s a perfect example of why Château de Chillon works so well for families visiting Switzerland.
Combining Family Photos with Your Switzerland Vacation
Many families tell me they hesitate to book a professional session because they worry it will take too much time away from their trip.
In reality, a family session at Château de Chillon fits naturally into a day of exploring the Swiss Riviera.
You can easily combine your photo session with:
• A visit to Château de Chillon
• A lakeside walk along Lake Geneva
• Exploring Montreux
• Dinner by the lake
• A scenic boat cruise
• A day trip through the Lavaux vineyards
Instead of feeling like a separate activity, it becomes part of the adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a family session take?
Most family sessions at Château de Chillon last between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the experience you choose.
Is Château de Chillon suitable for young children?
Yes. The area around the castle is easily accessible and requires very little walking, making it ideal for younger children.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Swiss weather can be unpredictable, so I always help families create a backup plan whenever possible.
Can we include grandparents?
Absolutely. Château de Chillon works beautifully for multi-generational family sessions.
Do you photograph visiting families?
Yes. Many of my clients are visiting Switzerland from abroad and want to preserve their travel memories with professional photographs.
Let's Capture Your Switzerland Adventure
Family trips often become some of our most treasured memories, but too often one person is always missing from the photographs because they’re the one holding the camera.
A professional family session allows everyone to be present, enjoy the experience together, and return home with photographs that truly tell the story of your time in Switzerland.
If you’re planning a trip to Montreux or the Swiss Riviera and would like to document your adventure together, I’d love to help you create something meaningful.
Ready to Capture Your Own Story?
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, a new chapter, a trip to Switzerland, or simply want an excuse to spend a beautiful afternoon together, I’d love to help you create an experience that feels relaxed, meaningful, and genuinely fun. We’ll choose a location that fits your story, leave the awkward posing behind, and focus on creating memories you’ll still smile about years from now.
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Your Photographer
I’m Maaike Jansen
Your outdoor photographer, mountain nerd, and calm-in-the-chaos guide for meaningful adventures in Switzerland.
I create relaxed photography experiences for couples, families, friends, and wild-hearted travellers exploring the Swiss Riviera and the Alps.
Whether you’re dreaming of a lakeside sunset near Château de Chillon, a stroll through the Lavaux vineyards, or a mountain adventure with breathtaking views, I’ll help you plan an experience that feels natural, easy, and genuinely fun.
No awkward posing.
No rushing from one viewpoint to the next.
Just beautiful places, meaningful moments, and photographs you’ll still treasure years from now.
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