Location Guide 2021
You’ve booked your session! Now it’s time to think about where to document those memories. I have complied a list of my favorite places to photograph around Vancouver, and created this cheat sheet for you! My hope is that this simplifies your search for that perfect spot to have your photos taken. Every spot is somewhere I have been before and have fallen in love with, either for the light, the setting or simply because its the perfect mix of both. Take a look through, click the links to full sessions at each spot, and let me know if you have any questions at all!
Caufield Park
Located in West Vancouver just below Marine Dr and Picadilly Lane. This is the perfect location for sweeping views of the ocean, mountain backdrop and wide open rocks. I refer to this location as a “mini Lighthouse Park”, it' has the same wild wilderness and boulders, but you don’t have to walk 15 min after you park the car. This is a great location for kids, families and couples.
The collection of images are taken at different times of the day, if you love the way a certain one looks, as me what month and time of day is was snapped : )
To see a blog post of a session at Caufield Park, click HERE .
Jericho Beach Park
Located in Kitsilano, just off Point Grey Rd. This is my all time favorite location, for many reasons. Jericho is quickly accessible, meaning you don’t have to walk far from your car to where we will start snapping. It is a gorgeous mix of sandy beach and lush greenery, making it easy to have a mix of colour or simple tones in your photos. The spots I love to use at Jericho are all very close together, so we only move about 3 min between each magical little location, and finally, I photograph here 80% of all my outdoor sessions and I know the light reeeeeaaallly well. This means I can get a lot done in 60 min. Jericho is great any time of year, but the light in September + October is hands down the best ever. If you love the way a certain image looks below, ask me the month and time of day it was photographed : )
To see Blog posts of sessions at Jericho, click HERE and HERE
Granville Island
Located in False Creek just below 4th Ave, Granville Island is full of amazing texture + light. This is a busy spot where there’s always a chance of people being in the background of your image, but it’s colorful and bustling vibes makes for a very fun session. In a 60 min session we will probably walk the entire space, only stopping for a few minutes in each spot. Because the light is always changing there, I tend to just see a spot I love and ask you to go stand in it. This is a wonderfully candid location, because we move so much, and is best enjoyed in the summer and fall months. Once again, if you love a certain image, ask me what month and time of day it was taken.
Endowment Lands
There was a hot minute when I thought I didn’t like photographing in the woods - too many greens to edit, to many shadows to work around. Then, in 2020 a few families asked me to try again, and I FELL IN LOVE with how these photos turned out. There are few factors that have to play into shooting here, location is one of them and I have two specific spots I always go back to, knowing where the gaps of light are. The second is time of day, which plays into lighting. Usually morning is the best time for the woods because the light is streaming through the trees, creating that gorgeous backdrop a beams. On an overcast day morning or mid day is best, to make sire we choose the brightest hours to work with. If a sunset session is wanted for the woods, we will choose a location that faces north, and that might mean a bit more walking with the kids to get there. These are all just things to keep in mind when choosing this location, and at the end of the day, it was TOTALLY worth it.
Ambleside Park
North Shore locations! Ok, technically I mean Ambleside Dog Beach, but please don’t let the idea of dogs hold you back from this incredible location! Long flowing grass, sandy/pebble beach, very calm waters and the Lions Gate bridge in the background, this spot is wide open and wonderful. I have only had the pleasure of photographing a few families here, but I know this will be a beloved spot this coming season!
Located just below Marine Drive and about a 4 min drive once you get off the Lions Gate Bridge. There is lots of parking right next to where we photograph, and lots of places to explore for kids!
Bridgeman Park
This spot is an absolute gem, located on the North Shore. A client introduced me to this hidden location last fall, and my mouth dropped open when we poked our heads through the trees to find this wide open space next to the Lynn River. A few things to consider, parking is somewhat limited, but if you luck out there is parking right next to the trail head entry. The space is entirely rocks, which makes walking around a little difficult - if you are bringing small kids just keep in mind to wear solid foot wear, or bring some nicer shoes to change into once we get settled. There is so much space for kids to explore and opportunities to get their feet wet. My best advice for this spot is to let them get wet and have fun, and get some really candid and lovely images while we are at it : )
Stanley Park
Within Stanley Park are some really great spots, all offering something a little different. Second + third beach both offer some access to the water, and near the Second Beach swimming pool is the option for going into the trees for a bot of greenery. In the spring there is a magical little location near the second beach concession that offers wild flowers and long grass, a wonderful addition to a session at the beach. A session here will involve some walking as we rotate beaches about 5 min apart, if you have little kiddos a stroller might help you move them + your belongings from spot to spot! At different times of the day, and different months of the year the light will look very different along this area, so if any of the photos below resonate with you just ask me when they were taken!
To see a Blog post of a session at Stanley Park, click HERE.
Gastown
If loads of fun backdrops, texture, playing with light and a fun new way of capturing your family is your jam, then Gastown is the place for you! This amazing little section of downtown Vancouver offers us the opportunity to walk around and stop at all the unexpected secret spots as we go. My approach to photographing in Gastown is to keep things moving and find as many little hidden gems as we can. There are lots of coffee shops and lunch spots with picturesque patios where your family can stop for a snack, lunch or a quick coffee. Parking can be tricky, so plan to have your kiddos walking a fair amount (bring a stroller if that helps!). Another option for this area is to park in the Cordova Parking Lot, and spend some time in this wonderful architectural space!
