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.
Iona Beach
Tucked away between South Vancouver and Richmond is this gem of a location. Offering a huge expanse of space to explore, this park has an accessible parking lot (with bathrooms) but keep in mind it is usually pretty busy. I have never had issues with the location being full, only the parking lot! With both options for grassy / tree lined photos, as well as beach with many logs for kids to climb and have fun, this location is wonderful for families with kids of all ages.
The light changes here depending on what month you book, but I have found no matter the weather (sun or cloud) the images from this location are always magical. Ask me about certain times of day!
Acadia Beach
This is the second runner up - almost taking first place for my favorite place to photograph. Sunset here is absolutely stunning. Located just past Spanish Banks, there is a small parking lot right before you drive up the hill to UBC. From there, a short 5 min walk to the beach, and an even shorter walk to the grassy area seen in several photos. This location is ideal for families and couples - extended family sessions would work here too, with some willing particiaptes to get thier feet wet.
Three locations in one (Two grassy areas and the beach) this location gives you a lot of bang for your buck : )
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!
