Reviewed · HARDER KULM, LAKE BRIENZ & LAKE THUN

Phototour Private Photoshoot in Interlaken & Lake Brienz and Thun

5.0 · 3 reviews From $561 Operated by Phototour Interlaken local photographer in Interlaken · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Interlaken looks great from the train. This is different. You get a private photoshoot in some of the region’s most photogenic spots, guided by professional photographer Erich Häsler. I like how the whole day is built around getting you the best light, not just “standing somewhere pretty.”

Two things I really like are the professional studio lighting used right at the lakeside, and the solid output: 180+ high-resolution photos sent to you via a Dropbox link. One thing to keep in mind is the pace, including a short uphill climb on the Beatenberg stop, so you should be comfortable with some stairs and walking.

If your goal is a polished set of photos that actually looks like you hired a pro (because you did), this is a smart use of time in the Jungfrau area. If your goal is a slow, meandering sightseeing day with long hikes, you may prefer a longer, more flexible outing.

Key Highlights to Know Before You Go

Phototour Private Photoshoot in Interlaken & Lake Brienz and Thun - Key Highlights to Know Before You Go

  • Erich Häsler directs the poses, so you are not guessing what to do in front of the camera
  • Pro lighting at Lake Brienz, so photos work even when the sky is moody
  • 180+ high-resolution photos, delivered through a Dropbox link after the shoot
  • A Tesla Model X ride keeps the transfer smooth and low impact
  • Multiple Swiss lake settings (Brienz and Thun) plus town scenes in Interlaken and Unterseen
  • Optional short film is not included, but you can add it later

A Private Photoshoot in Interlaken, Lake Brienz, and Lake Thun

Phototour Private Photoshoot in Interlaken & Lake Brienz and Thun - A Private Photoshoot in Interlaken, Lake Brienz, and Lake Thun
This experience is a true private shoot. Your group is the only group in the car and at the stops. That matters because you get real direction, you do not have to wait your turn, and you can move at the pace of the photographer’s plan.

Erich Häsler leads the whole thing. The vibe is practical and friendly, with the photographer knowing where the light will fall and how to place you for backgrounds that look “Switzerland” without needing a postcard filter. The tour also leans into the setting. You are driven between Interlaken, Bönigen on Lake Brienz, and Unterseen and Neuhaus around Lake Thun, plus a viewpoint stop at Beatenberg.

Also, you travel by Tesla Model X. It is framed as emission-free and environmentally sustainable, and in practical terms it means a smooth, comfortable ride with big windows for sightseeing as you head from one spot to the next.

More Harder Kulm and Bernese lake trips:

What You Actually Get: 180+ High-Resolution Photos and Dropbox Delivery

Phototour Private Photoshoot in Interlaken & Lake Brienz and Thun - What You Actually Get: 180+ High-Resolution Photos and Dropbox Delivery
The included photo package is the main attraction, so it is worth focusing on the details. You receive more than 180 photos in high resolution, listed as 50Mpixel, and they are professionally developed and transmitted to you with a Dropbox link.

That is a big deal if you care about more than 10 or 20 “keeper” images. With this volume, you can usually pick favorites for prints, profile photos, travel announcements, or just a personal album that looks like an actual set, not random shots.

On top of that, Erich uses professional light equipment. In bright sun, that helps refine shadows and faces. In less-than-ideal weather, it can keep your photos looking intentional rather than washed out or flat.

There is also a nice “you can change” option. If you want a different outfit look, it is possible to change into clothes you bring yourself. That is especially helpful when you start the shoot with one outfit and want a second look for the lake backdrops.

One item not included is a short film. If you want that approximately 3-minute add-on, it costs CHF 150.

The Tesla Ride and On-the-Way Context That Makes Stops Easier

Phototour Private Photoshoot in Interlaken & Lake Brienz and Thun - The Tesla Ride and On-the-Way Context That Makes Stops Easier
Even though this is a photoshoot, the transfers are part of the experience. You see Interlaken and the surrounding areas through oversized windows, and you get local information while you travel.

That matters for two reasons. First, it helps you understand what you are looking at when you arrive at each stop. Second, if you have questions about the region, the photographer can answer them while you are on the move, instead of squeezing it in at the end.

The tour duration is listed at about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes. In practice, that kind of time window is great for a trip that is already full of activities in the Jungfrau region. You get variety without needing a full half day just for photos.

Pickup is offered, and the activity is near public transportation. It ends back at the meeting point, so you are not stuck figuring out the route after you finish.

Stop 1: Interlaken Center, Jungfrau Background, and the Kursaal Details

Phototour Private Photoshoot in Interlaken & Lake Brienz and Thun - Stop 1: Interlaken Center, Jungfrau Background, and the Kursaal Details
The shoot starts in Interlaken, with a classic view setup: a large meadow with the famous Jungfrau in the background. This is one of those “no effort, just show up” areas. If the timing is right, you can also catch paragliders landing, which adds motion and energy behind you.

You also get additional creative angles close by. In the Kursaalgarten, there is a statue of the renowned Bollywood filmmaker Chopra. That gives you a more unexpected background than the usual mountain-only shots, and it can be especially fun for group photos because it adds character.

Near the old Kursaal, you can use the grand fountain area for more unique images. The point here is not just scenic. It is variety. You can start with mountain views, then shift quickly into a more urban, detail-driven look with fountains and architecture.

A practical note: Interlaken center can be busy. That is exactly why having a photographer who knows how to position you and when to shoot helps. You are not wandering around trying to find the best spot while strangers move behind you.

More photoshoot sessions in Interlaken:

Stop 2: Bönigen on Lake Brienz, Pro Lighting by the Water

Phototour Private Photoshoot in Interlaken & Lake Brienz and Thun - Stop 2: Bönigen on Lake Brienz, Pro Lighting by the Water
Next you head to Bönigen, right on Lake Brienzersee. This stop is about water and portraits. The plan is to take photos both along the lakeside and, if conditions allow, possibly in the water.

The background options are strong here. You get mountains behind you, or you may capture the view with the older village feel around Bönigen. For portrait-style photos, that kind of layered scenery helps because you are not competing with a bland horizon.

What really upgrades this stop is the studio-style lighting setup. This lets the photographer shape how your face and clothes show up against the brighter lake surface. If the sky is bright, lighting helps keep contrast under control. If the light is softer, it helps you avoid “grey day” photos where everything blends together.

There is also a shorter built-in city detail moment: in the center you can see several hundred-year-old houses, and you can take pictures at the fountain. It is a nice reminder that you are not only shooting lakes. You are mixing water, architecture, and classic Swiss textures.

Stop 3 and 4: Neuhaus at Lake Thun, Then the Historic Unterseen Fountain and Church

Phototour Private Photoshoot in Interlaken & Lake Brienz and Thun - Stop 3 and 4: Neuhaus at Lake Thun, Then the Historic Unterseen Fountain and Church
The Lake Thun segment is split into two Unterseen-focused stops.

At Neuhaus, you get a fantastic view of Lake Thunersee from the edge of a nature reserve. The highlight is the pyramid-shaped mountain Niesen in the background. If you want dramatic mountain geometry behind you, this is the stop for it. The photographer can set you up in various poses here, and the lake gives you a clean, open background.

Next is Unterseen, which is described as the oldest city at the river Aare. The area has houses older than 500 years, and the stop is short. You focus on the village feel with the village fountain and the old church in the background.

This pairing works well for your photo set because it gives you two different “textures” of the region. Neuhaus tends to look open and expansive, while Unterseen looks grounded and timeless. If you are building an album, these two stops usually give you that mix of wide scenery plus close-up story.

The tradeoff is time. The Unterseen center stop is only about 5 minutes, so you cannot expect long wandering. You are there for photos, then you move on.

Stop 5: Beatenberg (+500m) for High-Mountain Views and Pose Variety

Phototour Private Photoshoot in Interlaken & Lake Brienz and Thun - Stop 5: Beatenberg (+500m) for High-Mountain Views and Pose Variety
The last stop is Beatenberg, reached after a 20-minute ascent, listed as about +500 meters in altitude. That is the one “workout” moment built into the tour.

Once you arrive, the setting is nature-focused, and the view aims for the highest mountains of the Bernese Oberland. The goal here is to add a stronger mountain presence to your photo set, not just lake views and town details.

The photographer also takes additional professional photos here in various poses. The reason this is valuable is simple: a good shoot needs more than one type of background. If your photos are all lakes and fountains, your album can feel one-note. Beatenberg adds altitude, clarity, and a different angle on the Alps.

If you are short on energy, plan your day so you do not arrive hungry or completely wiped out. Even though it is only one climb, you will enjoy it more if you feel comfortable walking and standing for a bit.

Clothing, Posing, and How to Get Photos That Look Like You

Phototour Private Photoshoot in Interlaken & Lake Brienz and Thun - Clothing, Posing, and How to Get Photos That Look Like You
The tour gives you the freedom to bring clothes and change if you want, and it also provides lighting and direction so you do not have to “perform” without guidance. That means your job is mostly to show up ready.

Here is what you can do to make the results better:

  • Bring one outfit you feel good in plus something that looks good in daylight (lakeside light is bright and reflective).
  • Wear comfortable shoes, especially since Beatenberg includes a climb.
  • Keep layers in mind. Mountain weather can shift fast, and even if you do not control the clouds, the photographer can adjust the approach.

One of the most useful things from the experience is that the photographer is not just taking photos. He is guiding. In one past shoot, the photographer made the best of not-so-great weather, and that is a big reminder of the real value here. You are paying for skill, not just access to pretty places.

Price and Value: When $561.94 for Up to 5 Makes Sense

The price is $561.94 per group, with room for up to 5 people. That is the key way to think about value.

If you split the cost among a couple or a small group, the per-person value can get surprisingly reasonable, especially because you are getting:

  • Private transportation
  • A pro photographer with professional light equipment
  • A large set of edited, high-resolution photos
  • Dropbox delivery
  • A route built around multiple iconic backdrops (not just one scene)

If you compare this to paying for a standard photo session in a studio, the big difference is the environment. You are getting mountain and lake backdrops plus town details, without having to organize logistics or hunt for locations.

There is also an add-on option for a short film at CHF 150. If you care more about photos than video, you can skip it.

One consideration on value: because it is private, you are paying for the group format. If you travel alone and you do not want to be in a small group setup, you may still find it worth it, but do the math based on what you would otherwise spend on individual photography.

Who This Photoshoot Tour Is Best For

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

  • Professional portraits with real direction and lighting
  • A time-efficient way to get Interlaken-area photos without planning each spot
  • A set of images you can actually use, with 180+ high-resolution selections
  • A mix of settings, including Lake Brienz and Lake Thun plus Interlaken and Unterseen

It is especially appealing for couples, small families, and friends up to five who want a variety of looks in a single 2 to 2.5 hour session.

It may be less ideal if you are hoping for a slow hike heavy day with lots of unscripted wandering, because the stops are time-boxed and the Beatenberg climb is part of the plan.

Should You Book This Interlaken and Lakes Phototour?

Book it if you want your Jungfrau trip to include a polished photo set that looks like you planned it with a pro. The combination of Erich Häsler’s direction, professional studio lighting, and a large deliverable of 180+ high-resolution photos is what makes this work.

Hold off if you already have great photos from your phone and you are not interested in posing or in a guided approach. In that case, you can get scenic shots on your own. But if you care about the difference between “nice scenery” and “a photo that looks like you hired a professional,” this is a good bet.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Interlaken, Lake Brienz, and Lake Thun photoshoot?

The duration is about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.

Is this a private photoshoot, or do I join other people?

It is private. Only your group participates.

How many photos do I receive, and how are they delivered?

You get more than 180 photos in high resolution, and they are developed and transmitted with a Dropbox link.

Can I bring outfits and change clothes for the photos?

Yes. You can change into the clothes you bring yourself.

Is transportation included, and is pickup offered?

Private transportation is included, and pickup is offered.

Is the short film included, or does it cost extra?

A short film of approximately 3 minutes costs extra at CHF 150, and it is not included.

Near this one

Harder Kulm, Lake Brienz & Lake Thun, side by side.

The full Harder Kulm, Lake Brienz & Lake Thun list →
Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 1,469 reviews· from $49

Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm

Read our review →
Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 566 reviews· from $166

Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz

Read our review →
Winter Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 439 reviews· from $202

Winter Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz

Read our review →
Scenic Jetboat Ride on Lake Brienz
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 243 reviews· from $108

Scenic Jetboat Ride on Lake Brienz

Read our review →
Winter Kayak Tour on Lake Brienz
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 224 reviews· from $175

Winter Kayak Tour on Lake Brienz

Read our review →
Harder Kulm – Top of Interlaken – Cable Car Ticket
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 196 reviews· from $54

Harder Kulm – Top of Interlaken – Cable Car Ticket

Read our review →
Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 187 reviews· from $140

Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz

Read our review →
Interlaken Day Trip and Harder Kulm Viewpoint
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 78 reviews· from $173

Interlaken Day Trip and Harder Kulm Viewpoint

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Every kind of Swiss day out

The mountains, the water, the food and the city itself — and the best of each.