I just returned from a trip to California where I was in awe of the architecture, the beauty, the climate, the food - pretty much every single thing called my name. Only back for a few days and I've done nothing but vent about how Vancouver is rainy, not as stylish, not enough places to photograph, etc. Realizing quickly that I was only reacting to my vacation blues, I thought to myself .. wait a minute .. everybody knows little mirrors Vancouver's gorgeousness and what better way to combat these oh-so-nasty travel blues (that we all get here and there) then to take a look back at some of my favourite places to photograph, to be reaquainted with our gorgeous city full of magic and charm? And that, I did.
I love scouting wedding locations and I am excited about how many more I have to discover. My most recent discovery is Boundary Bay (above) where, while I have been before, I never really found all the hidden spots so appropriate for wedding and engagmeent photography. Now, it's one of my favourites and look forward to many shoots there this summer.
Until then, I have put together a small selection of my absolute favourite places to bring my camera with the hope that it inspires couples and photographers to creaty beauty. From magical soft scenery that could easily fill the pages of a beautiful fairytale, to gritty rustic art and architecture, to street scenes, Vancouver has an abundance of places where one can get creative with their lens and their love story. In no particular order, here are my favourite spots (and they're always growing!).
Trout Lake - East Vancouver: I live close to Trout Lake, so I'm there everyday walking my dog. I've seen this park prosper in all seasons and every season it presents something different. I've often said it's so magical it could easily be featured in a movie about mystical, far-away lands. My favourite season to photograph couples here is the Fall, as the colours are magical.
East Vancouver: My next favourite place is pretty much all of the beautiful neighbourhood of East Vancouver. There are so many photo opportunities in East Vancouver and the variety for the photographs is endless. Leaving Trout Lake, there are endless tree-lined streets, character houses, train tracks, murals, pink, blue, yellow and buildings of any other colour desired and a lot of other hidden gems. With a little research, a photographer can get truly unique photographs throughout this lovely neighbourhood. And couples can just spend some time enjoying the neighbourhood or creating memories for a lifetime together.
Stanley Park: Another magical place popular with so many photographers and couples. I find that the trick with Stanley Park is to find the hidden gems .. it's such a versatile locations with so many different possiblities. In addition to the familiar scenes, it is nice to go for a walk and find the unique locations that make people think "really, that is in Stanley Park?". And there are many such places as I have discovered in the last year!
Finally I just want to bring up a few favourites that I've shot at that have left me inspired to come back again and again .. in no particular order and at no particular location, I have posted some photos below. The first is the Fraser River Fishing Lodge in Agassiz, BC and it's surrounding areas. A bit of a drive but so worth it. Great for engagement and wedding photography as well as nature and landscapes. Or, just a beautiful Sunday road trip.
The Pier at Lonsdale Quay: I have two favourite shooting locations in North Vancouver and while they're both around water, they are in stark contrast to one another. Below is the much more modern scene, with the industrial shots in the background and steel bridges, providing a different level of charm but a lot of fun to work with. I love the energy of the couples as they walk up the bridge surrounded by so many textures, patterns and colours.
Capilano River Regional Park: Also in North Vancouver is a hidden gem that many photographers have yet to discover. Often hard to find, it is so worth it when you arrive. On the one side, you see beautiful mountain and a very peaceful lake. On the opposite side, beautiful fences, fields and forest scenery for beautiful photographs of couples walking or just enjoying peaceful moments on benches. And of course, there is the Capilano Dam, always a memorable place for the camera lens.
Granville Island: Enough said. Everyone knows how much versatile this beautiful place is and how many choices we have as photographers. Below is one of my favourite spots in the island as it provides everything from nature, to architecture to beautiful colours.
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Background: photo by owlandfoxstudios