Locations ·
A Family Session at Lake Tegernsee
Warm evening light, mountains in the background and a family who simply had fun.
Lake Tegernsee is one of my favourite places for family photos. Only about an hour from Munich, it has everything a relaxed session needs: open water, mountains in the background, wooden jetties and meadows – and in the late afternoon, a light that makes every face glow.
In April I spent an afternoon there with a family: mum, dad, five-year-old Lena and little Jonas, who had just learned to walk. Here's how an afternoon like that unfolds – and why the best pictures often happen in between the “actual” photos.
Arriving instead of posing
We met on the shore at around 5 pm. For the first twenty minutes I hardly take any pictures. The kids collect stones, the parents tell me about the drive, and I get to know the family. Children notice straight away when someone wants something from them. When nobody shouts “Smile, please!”, they forget about the camera surprisingly quickly.
The best pictures happen when nobody is thinking about the camera any more.
Playing, running, cuddling
Instead of lining everyone up, I give little tasks: Who can get to the jetty first? How far can dad throw a stone? Can Lena whisper a secret into mum's ear? That's where real reactions come from – the giggles, the proud look, the hug afterwards.
Halfway through we took a break with pretzels and apple spritzer on a blanket. Moments like these often end up in the album: crumbs on cheeks, bare feet in the grass, dad carrying the little one on his shoulders.
The golden light
About an hour before sunset, the light by the lake turns warm and soft. The sun sits low, the mountains glow and the water sparkles in the backlight. That's my favourite time to shoot – no harsh midday sun, no squinting eyes.
My tips for your family session
- Plan the session for after nap time, when the children are well rested.
- Choose clothes in calm colours that go together – not matching, but in harmony.
- Bring snacks, water and a blanket. A short break works wonders.
- Bring a favourite toy or cuddly animal – it creates familiar moments.
- And most importantly: not everything has to go to plan. Real moments are more beautiful than perfect ones.
After almost two hours everyone was tired, happy and a little wet. Two weeks later the family received their online gallery – and Lena immediately picked her favourite picture for her bedroom wall.
Would you like a family session by the lake too? Just write to me – I know a few quiet spots around Lake Tegernsee away from the well-known places.
