Katie reached out to me for a last-minute family photoshoot in Venice for her family of five. They were visiting from Colorado, and she mentioned that her youngest son uses a wheelchair, so she wanted some photos of him in the chair as well as outside of it.
Knowing this, my first step was to carefully plan a wheelchair-friendly route in Venice. My goal was to showcase Venice’s breathtaking sights while minimising the challenge of its many bridges, ensuring a comfortable and joyful experience for everyone.
Planning an Accessible Family Photoshoot in Venice
Venice is renowned for its beauty, but it’s also known as one of the least wheelchair-accessible cities in the world. Most bridges don’t have ramps, and only a handful of hotels offer elevators. Yet, this didn’t deter Katie and her family one bit! Their spirit of exploration and determination to embrace the magic of Venice was truly inspiring.
Fortunately, some areas offer smoother navigation. All the bridges along the Riva degli Schiavoni have convenient ramps, and their hotel in the Castello district was perfectly situated not far from San Marco. This allowed us to choose a scenic, yet practical, route that balanced accessibility with iconic Venetian backdrops for their family portraits.
Katie reached out to me via email with a warm and genuine request. She wanted a family photoshoot for her family of five, mentioning that her youngest son uses a wheelchair and would love to have some photos that show him both in the chair and out of the chair.
I loved how determined they were to make the most of their time in Venice, regardless of the challenges. Their curiosity and adventurous spirit really shone through!
Exploring Iconic Venice with the Family
With later sunrise in october, we began our Venice family photoshoot at 8 a.m., perfectly catching that soft, golden light. The children were in fantastic spirits, and the light was simply beautiful – an ideal start to a memorable morning in Venice!
We began our session at the famous gondola docks at the San Marco Molo, where the classic Venetian charm truly comes alive. From there, we moved to the stunning arched galleries of the Doge’s Palace, capturing elegant family shots against its historic grandeur. After some joyful photos in the expansive St. Mark’s Square, we strolled towards the famous Bridge of Sighs and continued our exploration along the picturesque canals. Our final destination was near their hotel in Castello, where we captured some last, charming portraits at the serene Fondamenta San Lorenzo.
The entire shoot lasted about an hour, filled with genuine joy and shared laughter. Afterward, Katie’s enthusiastic feedback truly made my day:
“Wow Olga, we are thrilled with our photos and will treasure them forever!!! Thank you so very much!! Yes, please use them however you would like!! Thank you for the wonderful experience!”
Navigating Venice: Essential Tips for Wheelchair and Stroller-Friendly Routes
One of my main tips for families traveling with wheelchairs or strollers in Venice is to plan your walks along two main accessible routes. The first one runs from San Marco all the way to the Giardini della Biennale, with ramps on all the bridges, making it easier to explore without too many obstacles.
The second route is along the Fondamenta Zattere in the Dorsoduro district. This long, scenic path stretches from the San Basilio water bus stop all the way to Punta della Dogana, offering more opportunities for stress-free sightseeing with beautiful canal views.
Venice family photoshoot Gallery
