An expat family photo session is always something truly special – especially when it brings together different cultures, languages, and life stories in one loving unit. This session, set in the heart of Vienna’s historic city center, was a beautiful reflection of that. Returning clients like this Austrian-Vietnamese family are such a joy to photograph – relaxed, connected, and open to capturing the little things that mean the most.
We met in the golden afternoon light at Karlsplatz, with the stunning Karlskirche standing tall behind us. Their little boy ran across the wide open space with contagious energy, his cheerful laughter echoing through the square. This wasn’t just a photo shoot – it was a memory being made in real time, full of warmth, movement, and emotion.
As a photographer who works often with expat families in Vienna, I find so much beauty in documenting these kinds of stories. When parents come from different countries – like this Austrian father and Vietnamese mother – there’s an extra layer of meaning in the images we create. These photos are not just about the present moment – they are part of a bigger journey, a shared life between cultures, and a city that ties it all together.
This expat family photo session was candid and natural, just the way I love to work. We didn’t force any poses or stiff smiles. Instead, we wandered through the square, followed their child’s curiosity, and paused wherever the light and the moment felt right. It was a classic Vienna family lifestyle session, but with the added energy that only an international family brings.
Their little boy was the star of the session – playful, expressive, and full of curiosity. He climbed steps, chased pigeons, and shared cuddles in between bursts of excitement. The way his parents moved with him – calmly, patiently, and always with a soft smile – was beautiful to witness. These quiet gestures and fleeting expressions are exactly what I aim to capture during a candid city family portrait session.
Sessions like these are a reminder that family photography doesn’t have to happen in a studio or with elaborate setups. It can be as simple and powerful as strolling through a city that means something to you. For expat families especially, Vienna becomes part of their story – the cobblestone streets, the historic facades, the way the afternoon sun falls across the old buildings. All of that becomes woven into the visual memory of their time here.
As someone who offers family photography for expats, I’ve seen how much it means to have a gallery that reflects both personal connection and a sense of place. These are the kinds of photos that children will look back on years from now and see not just how they were loved, but where their story began.
This particular session was also a reunion. Having photographed this family once before, I was honored to be invited back to capture another chapter of their life. Seeing how their little boy had grown, and how their bond had deepened, was incredibly moving. It’s moments like these that make what I do feel not only creative, but meaningful.
The final images tell a complete story – one of joy, movement, calm, and love. A mother’s quiet smile, a father’s guiding hand, a child’s open heart. This is what family looks like – not perfectly posed, but perfectly connected.
Interested in your own expat family photo session?
Let’s capture your Vienna story with honesty, beauty, and heart – wherever you are in your journey.
You can find my contact details here.
Pure joy in the heart of Vienna – a happy toddler beaming in his parents’ arms during a city photo walk.