We photographed the Ortega family, friends of ours for decades, at Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como. Set on a small peninsula with views of the water and mountains, the 18th-century villa and its garden gave us a storybook backdrop for a family portrait session in Italy.
Some places have to be seen to be believed, and Villa del Balbianello is one of them. Perched on a small peninsula on Lake Como, it brings history, art, and nature together with panoramic views of the water and the mountains. We had wanted to photograph our dear friends, the Ortega family, in Italy, and this was the place.
We planned for months. When the day came, we took a private boat to the villa and felt like movie stars, which is fitting since the villa has stood in for several blockbusters, including Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Casino Royale. The 18th-century architecture and garden, full of exotic plants, statues, and topiaries, made every corner worth exploring. The Loggia Durini, a graceful pavilion, offers the best view of the lake.
The villa is a popular attraction, so it was crowded. We had to be patient and creative, waiting for the right moment to frame our shots. Our favorite is on the loggia, where Anakin and Padme were married in secret on screen. We asked the family to stand at the edge, hold hands, and look at each other. It was perfect, and we carried a little piece of this place home with us.
“We feel like we took a little piece of this villa with us, with all of the memories that we captured.”
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Whether it is a milestone trip or a once-in-a-lifetime family adventure, we would love to capture your people in a place that means something to you. Let's tell your story together.
View our photographyVilla del Balbianello sits on a small wooded peninsula on the western shore of Lake Como, in the municipality of Lenno, Lombardy, Italy. The 18th-century villa and its terraced garden are managed by FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano), Italy's national trust, and are open to the public — which is why a session here means working around other visitors. The estate is best known for its Loggia Durini, the open pavilion crowning the garden, and for its film history, having appeared in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and the James Bond film Casino Royale.
The peninsula is reached from the village of Lenno. Many visitors arrive by water taxi or private boat across the lake, and the gardens are accessed on foot from the landing. Because Villa del Balbianello is a protected FAI property and an active tourist destination, anyone planning portraits, family photos, or a wedding here should expect crowds, plan well ahead, and choose angles within the garden and around the loggia that frame the lake and the surrounding mountains.
