A Soft Evening Family Session in Villefranche-sur-Mer¶
A First Family Trip Together¶
In early September, A and R travelled to Villefranche-sur-Mer with their daughter C for one of their very first holidays as a family. To mark the occasion, they booked a photo session from 19:00 to 20:00, choosing gentle post-sunset light rather than direct sun.
Sunset in Villefranche-sur-Mer that day was at 19:58. But because the town sits within a bay surrounded by hills, direct sunlight disappears earlier than expected. If you would like warm golden light in the streets, we usually recommend beginning around two hours before sunset. For this session, however, we deliberately chose later timing so the light would be softer and less intense for C. The result was calm, flattering tones and a relaxed atmosphere that suited a young child perfectly.
Coordinated Outfits and a Lovely Start¶
C wore a sweet blue dress, while A chose a patterned blue dress and R wore a light blue shirt with blue shorts. Coordinating outfits makes a noticeable difference in family photography. When colours complement each other, the gallery feels cohesive and polished without appearing forced. We always recommend thinking about this in advance.
We began in Place Amélie Pollonais, the large square just beside the waterfront and near the Welcome Hôtel. This square is lined with restaurants and offers a charming introduction to the town. We started with a few solo portraits of C before moving on to family images.
Views Over the Bay¶
From the square, we walked up towards a small street that opens onto one of the most beautiful views in town. From there, you can see the pastel façades cascading down towards the sea, with Église Saint-Michel rising gently among the buildings.
We paused here for family portraits, taking advantage of the elevated perspective and the soft evening tones. Afterwards, we returned to the waterfront for a few more relaxed images near the water.
Ending at the Panoramic Viewpoint¶
To finish, we made our way up to the panoramic viewpoint along Boulevard Napoléon III. This is one of our favourite locations in Villefranche-sur-Mer, particularly after sunset. As daylight fades, the town begins to glow softly and the first evening lights start to sparkle across the bay.
The atmosphere at this time of day feels peaceful. It was the perfect setting to close a meaningful session that captured the joy of A and R’s early days travelling as a family with C.
Planning a Family Photo Session?¶
If you are celebrating a meaningful moment with your family— birthday, milestone event, or simply want to capture memories from your family travels, we would love to document it for you. Please reach out to share your plans and learn how we can capture your family's special moments.