Best locations for Family Photography in Vancouver

Location Location Location

How important is it to nail the location for a specific and one of a kind family?! Well when I heard my client Dinah lived at UBC and wanted to do her family session out there I got really excited. I believe your neighbourhood and your surroundings are just as much a part of your life as your family is. Another reason, in my past life I had the pleasure of working at UBC as an Early Childhood Educator, this made me even more confident that I knew all of the little special and hidden alleys and stunning scenic areas we could shoot at. If you know the atmosphere at the University of British Columbia you know how amazing it feels to step onto these grounds. You feel that buzz and energy of the students walking from class to class, the backpacks, the books, oh its just TOO GOOD of a felling. The first thing that popped into my mind was the MUA. I knew that I could use the Museum of Anthropology as a core element to help create dramatic shots with a beautiful people and a stunning perspective.

To make your photo session that much more memorable and not “just some random” location, here are some questions to ask yourself when trying to choose the right place?

Where do you spend most time together as a family outside of your home?
What are some of the activities we like to do together?
What kind of parks or lakes are around in your neighbourhood?
Does our family prefer spending time in natural landscapes like the forest and mountains or something more urban with colour or brick, something with attitude like a local coffeeshop or skate park?
How many family members are in this photo session?
Do we want to travel to get there? Is it easy access? What are the logistics?
What will I wearing and what kind of footwear will I need?
What is the most desirable time of the day for our session? Is it “Golen hour” or earlier in the day to catch the fog haze over the water and have the beach to yourself?
What season is it? Are there flowers that are blooming?

The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia established in 1949 is a place for and impressive collection of world arts and diverse cultures focusing on indigenous, local and global communities. What is so appealing is the building itself but the breathtaking landscapes designed by Cornelia Oberlander speak for themselves.

Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, BC and Canada are beyond stunning and if you look hard enough, do the research, you will find some sweet and unique places plus a lot of hidden gems. The majority of clients I serve usually ask for assistance in finding a location, but at the end of the day it up to them, so always always ask the client where they envision themselves and if they know of a place that is dear and meaningful to them.

I made a fave location list. Below are some of the most beautiful, most popular, most accessible locations in and around Vancouver, you may see one you like and if not I have plenty more up my sleeve.

A) Gastown/Downtown

B) Queen Elizabeth Park

C) University of British Columbia

D) Lighthouse Park (West Vancouver)

D) Granville Island

E) Lions Gate Bridge

F) Vancouver Public Library

G) Pitt River Dike Scenic Point

H) Jackson Hill (Maple Ridge)

I) Aldergrove Bowl

J) Mud Bay Park (Surrey)

K) Buntzen Lake (Anmore)

L) Crescent Beach, Blackie Spit (Surrey)

M) Chilliwack Lake

N) Alouette Lake

O) Fort Langley

P) …and who can forget about the good ol’ Stanley Park maybe on a Horse-Drawn Tour?

I hope you find this list helpful as a client and as a fellow photographer?! And guess what?? Why not make scouting locations into your own family fun? I do, quality time for us and finding the next best spot for my clients is a win win ALL around.