Reviewed · BAVARIAN ALPS TOURS
Mountain Top Photo Session
A cable car carries you from Garmisch-Partenkirchen up to a mountain-top photo session, where your private photographer can help you make portraits that feel like part of the trip, not a stop at a studio. I like that the shoot is private, so the time and attention are yours, and that the package includes 50 edited digital photos rather than just a few favorites.
The main consideration is weather: this experience requires good conditions, and an exposed mountain setting can be less forgiving than an indoor studio. You’ll also want to arrive ready to make the most of the roughly 2.5 hours, since the cable-car ride and the session share that time.
- Meet at Eckbauerbahn: The start and finish point is Karl und Martin Neuner-Platz 2 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
- A private session: Only your group participates, with a professional photographer.
- 50 edited digital photos: Your finished images are delivered as downloads.
- Cable-car fares included: Return tickets are included for two adults and three children.
- A flexible portrait option: The session is suited to families, couples, engagements, senior portraits, and social-media photos.
- Weather matters: If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose a different date or a full refund.
A Mountain Backdrop, With a Photographer Along

This is a simple idea with a useful twist: instead of asking a stranger to take a quick family picture, you go up the mountain with a professional who can guide the shoot. The setting gives your photos a strong sense of place, while the private format leaves room to work at your group’s pace.
The experience begins at Eckbauerbahn, the cable-car station at Karl und Martin Neuner-Platz 2 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From there, the plan is to ride up, take photos on the mountain, then return to the meeting point. The session lasts about 2.5 hours in total.
You are not signing up for a sightseeing tour with a long list of stops or a lecture about the region. The photo session is the main event. If you want professional portraits in the Bavarian Alps without organizing a separate photographer and transport, this neatly combines the two.
How the Eckbauerbahn Session Works
At the start, you meet your photographer at the station and take the cable car uphill. The package includes round-trip cable-car fare for two adults and three children, so you do not need to add those tickets to your own plans for that group size.
The mountain-top shoot is the heart of the outing. Your photographer is there to make portraits, not simply hand over a camera and leave you to pose. That can be especially helpful if you feel awkward in front of a lens or are trying to organize a family picture with children. Drew James Benson’s working style is described as relaxed, patient, and open to ideas, with suggestions for photo locations and flexibility when conditions or people’s needs call for it.
The exact sequence of photos and poses is not specified, so it is sensible to arrive with a few priorities in mind. Tell the photographer if you want a classic family portrait, relaxed couple photos, or images that mark a proposal or another occasion. A little direction from you helps make the session feel personal rather than like a standard set of poses.
After the shoot, you return by cable car to the meeting point. The package includes 50 edited photos as digital downloads. That is a useful number for a family or couple: enough to choose favorites and share them, without having to manage hundreds of unedited files. The exact delivery time is not stated, though a fast photo turnaround is mentioned in feedback about Drew’s work.
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What the Private Format Buys You

The private setup is one of the most valuable parts of this experience. There is no other group waiting for their turn, and you do not have to share the photographer’s attention. That matters if you are coordinating a family, want to take your time with a proposal, or simply prefer not to pose in front of strangers.
It also makes the session more adaptable. Drew is described as patient with people who are less confident on skis and open to a range of ideas. Ski photos appear in his wider work, but skiing is not listed as part of this particular package, so do not assume ski equipment or ski instruction is included. The session described here is a cable-car ride and mountain-top photo shoot.
A private photographer can make a difference even if you already take plenty of phone pictures. You are all in the frame together, and you can focus on the moment rather than passing a phone around. For an engagement or family holiday, that can be worth more than another set of scenic snapshots.
Is $415.80 Good Value?

The price is $415.80 per group of up to two. The package includes the private photographer, 50 edited digital photos, all fees and taxes, and return cable-car fare for two adults and three children. Lunch and snacks are not included.
That is a sizable spend for a 2.5-hour activity, especially if you are mainly looking for casual photos. But it covers a professional session and a substantial set of finished images, rather than just access to a viewpoint. For a family or couple who values portraits they can keep, the price may make sense as a special trip expense. It is less compelling if you are happy with phone photos or would rather spend the money on a longer activity.
There is a group-size detail worth checking before booking. The listed price is for a group of up to two, while the included cable-car fares cover two adults and three children. The information does not clearly explain how the group limit and child fares work together, so confirm the participant count and any additional charges before you pay if your party includes children.
Who Will Get the Most From It

Families who rarely manage to get everyone into the same photo are a natural fit. The photographer can help organize the picture, and the mountain setting gives the finished images a clear connection to your time in Bavaria. The package explicitly includes cable-car fares for two adults and three children, making it practical for a family group within that allowance.
Couples may also find it worthwhile, especially for engagement photos or a proposal. Drew has experience capturing surprise proposals and then taking portraits nearby. That background suggests he understands that the important picture may be the candid moment itself, not only the posed shots afterward. If you are planning a surprise, contact him in advance to agree on a plan; the precise proposal arrangements are not included in the activity details.
Senior portraits and social-media photos are also listed uses. If you want a series of polished images with a mountain setting, the private format gives you a chance to bring ideas and ask for guidance. Just remember that the experience is a photo session, not a general sightseeing tour.
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Weather, Timing, and What to Bring

The experience requires good weather. Mountain conditions can be unpredictable, and the photographer’s flexibility is a plus, but a photographer cannot guarantee clear skies or comfortable conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.
The advertised operating window is June 17 through August 3, 2026, Monday to Sunday, with a listed start window from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Since the activity lasts about 2.5 hours, choose a start time that leaves room in your day and avoid scheduling a tight commitment immediately afterward.
Bring snacks or plan to eat before or after: lunch and snacks are not included. The details do not specify what clothing or props to bring, so check the forecast and ask the photographer if you have a particular look in mind. For a family session, it can help to agree in advance on a few simple outfit choices and the photos you most want, while leaving room for spontaneous ideas.
Booking Details to Check

The meeting point is Eckbauerbahn at Karl und Martin Neuner-Platz 2, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The activity ends back at the same point. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, though the mountain setting and cable-car ride may be worth considering when deciding what works for your own group.
Confirmation is normally provided at booking. If you book within one day of travel, confirmation comes as soon as possible, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund or change.
Should You Book This Mountain Photo Session?

Book it if you want professional portraits in the Bavarian Alps and value having the photographer, cable-car ride, and edited digital images arranged together. It is especially appealing for families and couples marking a meaningful occasion. The strongest practical advantages are the private format, 50 finished photos, and a photographer described as flexible and easy to work with.
Skip it if your priority is a low-cost mountain outing, or if you would be content taking your own pictures. Before booking, confirm how the up-to-two group limit applies if you plan to bring children, and keep your schedule flexible enough to handle weather changes. If those details work for you, this is a focused way to bring home portraits that record both the people and the setting.
FAQ

Where does the photo session start and end?
It starts at Eckbauerbahn, Karl und Martin Neuner-Platz 2, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The activity ends back at the meeting point.
How long does the experience last?
It lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
How many photos are included?
You receive 50 edited photos as digital downloads.
Are cable-car tickets included?
Yes. Round-trip cable-car fare is included for two adults and three children.
Is this a private activity?
Yes. Only your group participates.
What happens if poor weather cancels the session?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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