Preparations are begun long before the photo is published. In the summer, the Federal Chancellery contacts the department of the future president and coordinates the first steps. First of all, the location has to be selected: Where exactly is the picture to be taken? Shots are often taken in and around the Federal Council chamber. For one thing, this place has an air of grandeur, and for another, taking photos here means less time is lost. The picture has to be taken when a Federal Council meeting takes place, and not more than 45 minutes is allowed to take both the group photo and the individual portraits. Then the image composition is decided upon, with the future President of the Confederation having the final word. As soon as the composition is fixed, test shots with extras are organised. These should correspond to the final picture as closely as possible.

7 December 2012, 8.45 am: Everything in the Federal Palace West is ready for the 2013 Federal Council photo. The Federal Councillors and the Federal Chancellor arrive. Make-up on, a quick coffee, brief chat and a glance at the paper, then it’s straight to the portrait shoot. A little later on it’s time for the group photograph. The photographer and the stylists help to relax the atmosphere somewhat. And action! An impressive lighting system flashes time and time again, lighting the set perfectly. The photographer checks the images at the monitor. A few minutes later the photo shoot is over, and the Council meeting can begin.

The Federal Council photograph is popular; 60,000 copies of it are produced. Both collectors and the media wait for the picture to appear at the beginning of the year. The published photograph always attracts a lot of attention; commenting on it has almost become a New Year’s ritual.