As a lifestyle family photographer in Vienna, I often get booked for expat family photo shoot and meet international families in unique chapters of their lives – expecting a baby, welcoming a newborn, celebrating milestones. But sometimes, it’s about saying goodbye. This was one of those sessions. A deeply meaningful farewell photo shoot with a Japanese expat family who spent over a year living in Vienna, surrounded by love, nature, and community.
This spring, I had the honor of capturing the story of a young Japanese mother and her baby boy – along with two dear friends who had supported her as au pairs throughout the baby’s first year. From the very beginning, this session was more than just a photo shoot. It was about preserving a special, emotional chapter before everyone went their separate ways.
When the mother moved to Vienna, she brought her newborn son and two close friends from Japan who came to help her through the first year of motherhood. These incredible women became more than au pairs – they became family. They shared in the baby’s early milestones, cared for him, comforted him, and created a nurturing circle of love in a new country far from home.
As the year came to an end and the au pairs prepared to return to Japan, the three women decided to book a farewell expat family photo shoot in Vienna’s beautiful Prater park. They wanted to capture not only portraits of the baby, but the deep relationships and unspoken connection they had built with him over the course of the year.
We met on a soft spring morning, just as Vienna was waking up into full bloom. The trees in Prater were alive with fresh green leaves and golden morning light – a dream setting for relaxed, emotional lifestyle portraits. The baby boy, now full of smiles and personality, laughed as he cuddled with his mom and the two women who had become his caregivers and friends.
One of the most emotional moments came when both au pairs kissed the baby’s cheeks at the same time – laughing, holding back tears, and sharing a memory that will stay with them forever. That single image captured everything this photo shoot was about: love, gratitude, and farewell.
What made this expat family photo shoot in Vienna so powerful was how naturally it unfolded. There was no need for posing or perfection. Just love, connection, and trust – everything I hope to bring out in a lifestyle session. These kinds of documentary-style sessions are so important, especially for families living abroad. Your time in a place may be short, but the memories you make deserve to be remembered forever.
This session was also a beautiful reminder that there’s no single way to define family. Whether it’s grandparents, friends, or au pairs – what truly matters is the connection you share and the love you give.
Peaceful riverside farewell moment of this expat family in Vienna.
If you’re an expat family living in Vienna and you’re getting ready to move on – or simply want to preserve your chapter here – I would be honored to create timeless photographs for you. My sessions are relaxed, child-led, and focused on real emotion. Let’s celebrate your family’s journey, wherever it takes you next.
If you’re an expat family living in Vienna and you’re getting ready to move on – or simply want to preserve your chapter here – I would be honored to create timeless photographs for you. My sessions are relaxed, child-led, and focused on real emotion. Let’s celebrate your family’s journey, wherever it takes you next.
Interested in planning your own expat family photo shoot in Vienna?
Feel free to get in touch to check my availability or ask any questions – I’d love to hear from you and help you document your story with care, creativity, and connection.