Summer Photoshoot Locations
Summer has arrived in Vancouver and the city is opening up again in the wake of the pandemic. Long-postponed events like weddings, graduations, and summits are being held for the first time in years, giving folks a long-awaited excuse to look their best. Equipped with fresh haircuts, manicures, and mindsets, many clients are looking to book outdoor photoshoots while the weather permits.
Outdoor locations add a natural feeling to a photoshoot. This can be ideal for lifestyle content or small business owners who specialize in wholistic/ down-to-earth products and services. Locations sheltered under swaying trees or surrounded by bright blooms give the viewer a feeling of freshness, youthfulness, and serenity.
I find that many of my clients are interested in shooting outdoors, but are unsure of where to shoot. Often they will suggest neighbourhood parks or forest walks. While these locations are usually quite beautiful, I prefer to shoot in locations that I have had the opportunity to test out beforehand. Often times, locations that look beautiful to the naked eye can be challenging to shoot in for unpredictable reasons. If the sun hits it at the wrong time of day, or if there’s a high level of foot traffic, the results can be frustrating to work around.
Luckily, I have a dedicated list of ideal shooting locations to accommodate a variety of client needs.
My favourite outdoor location is Queen Elizabeth Park in Mount Pleasant. There are dozens of excellent spots to snag a few photos in this area. My shooting-route starts at the conservatory, capturing a few shots with the dome in the background and a few with a beautiful view of Vancouver and the mountains that surround it. Then we make our way over the traditional Japanese-style bridge, into the re-wilded grassy area beyond. This spot is gorgeous at sunset, as it is hit by the golden light long after the rest of the mountain is in shade.
Depending on the client’s preference, we can either head over into the rose garden or travel in the opposite direction to get to a grove of bamboo. The bamboo grove leads into a series of shaded paths and bridges that are gorgeous for couples and engagement shoots. Finally, we end the shoot either under the mini waterfall or under the grove of weeping willows on the north side of the mountain.
Another excellent shooting location is Stanley park. This area really stands out during golden hour and the subsequent sunset. My route starts at the Brockton Point lighthouse, which offers a gorgeous view of the Lions Gate Bridge as well as North Vancouver. Then we head over to Third Beach, which has a beautiful view of the complete sunset as well as several rocky points that jut out into the water and make beautiful stages for engagement photos and other romantic imagery.
The final outdoor location that I will touch on today is Trout Lake Park in East Vancouver. This location is very transit accessible, which makes it an appealing prospect for many of my clients. This location features a trail that skirts the entire perimeter of the lake. My photo route starts at the bathrooms on the southern end of the lake, and follows the trail around it. We dip between weeping willows and low-hanging swamp trees, tall golden grass, and mossy outcroppings. This area is ideal for natural portraits and lifestyle imagery, content to help jazz up a social media feed for clients who are grounded in the wellness community. There’s a dock that juts forward into the water, surrounded by reeds and wildlife. Further down the trail, there’s a woven fence made of living willow trees, giving a fairy-like quality to the images that are shot there. Finally, there’s a fielded area shaded by park trees with a beautiful view of the lake. This is a great spot for posed-candids and wide shots that can be used as hero images or banners on webpages.
If you would like to book an outdoor photoshoot in any of these locations, please fill out this form. I am happy to work with you to find a location and route that suits your unique needs. If none of these locations suit you, I am happy to provide some more options that may fit better with your concept or requirements. I look forward to working with you this summer!