Vacation /Holiday or Staycation Family Pbotography/Photoshoot in Vancouver BC : The Top 10 Best Photoshoot Locations/ Ideas (Fraser Valley and Lowermainland)
Updated: Aug 11
For close to 20 years now, I have been exploring locations for family photoshoots, in all of their many shapes and sizes: couples, extended families, maternity, babies, first birthday and engagement sessions, throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. I have attempted to compile a list of favourite spots for the summer months, so if you are here on vacation during the summer holiday months you can not only see the locations through professional photography but also hear from me the photographer the pros and cons of each location: and as the best locations for a photoshoot in Vancouver often depend on the season. As I create this i realize WOW!! I have an incredibly comprehensive list of GORGEOUS locations for the locations that work the best. in the summer months. Having shooting families, babies, children, grads and maternity sessions for almost 2 decades my experience has taught me a lot. Although a lot more goes into where, like travel time for family, desired look, etc. this list does provide at least a start.
I have and do travel to Vancouver, downtown Vancouver, Richmond, South Surrey, White Rock, North Vancouver, Fort Langley, Pitt Meadows, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, and West Vancouver., Surrey, on the hunt for magical light and one of kind locations.
OAK MEADOWS PARK (Wild Flower Field Sessions): best in early summer late spring: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oak+Meadows+Park/@49.2386812,-123.128215,582m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x548673886517f069:0xe515781f67fa5567!8m2!3d49.2386777!4d-123.1256347!16s%2Fm%2F04zhx6d?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDgwNS4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
This spot below has beautiful wild flowers growing (they are Lupine, I believe that grow wild in May in the meadow) and the cool things is this spot is right in the middle of the city of Vancouver in Oak Meadows near 33rd-37th and Oak St.
Number 2 of my top 10 locations for a summer photoshoot is Vancouver's VanDusen Gardens:
This photoshoot was done of a baby girl in Vancouver at Van Dusen Gardens. Summer photo family mini sessions and baby milestone sitter sessions are easy to do outdoors. I often use cool props to sit baby on or a blanket, or as this baby is doing herself, she crawled across the grass.
Here I sat this baby on a wooden vintage crate but she decided to crawl off making for an adorable shot on a pathway at Van Dusen Garden's (Family Photography photoshoot at Van Dusen Gardens)
Van Dusen Garden mini session : mommy and me session
Richmond's BC Garry Point Park google.com/maps?vet=10CAAQoqAOahcKEwjotoO9t5GWAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQGQ..i&rlz=1C5MACD_enCA1101CA1129&pvq=OiUweDU0ODYwYTc1MDc5Y2ZlN2Q6MHhlOWVmYjE3N2YzYzAwYjU4&fvr=1&cs=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=ec&sa=X&ftid=0x54860a75079cfe7d:0xe9efb177f3c00b58 which is right near Steveston Village is incredible at Golden Hour for photoshoots for both maternity and family. It was also make an incredibly romantic spot for an engagement photoshoot or anniversary photoshoot. The tall grasses and open skies with lazy meadows and wild flowers create a simple minimalistic elegant style that brings the attention to the subject and the connection between family members.
West Vancouver's Whytecliff Park(https://westvancouver.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails/whytecliff-park) is truly a unique EPIC one of kind location for a family photoshoot OR couple photoshoot. I wouldn't recommend it for a babies but once your kids are old enough or your an adventure seeking couple this location is a uniquely lower mainland west coast. The large rocks, ocean seaside at golden hour and sunset is stunning.
IONA BEACH: Iona beach is right near the airport (YVR) so it is easily accessible to those staying in Vancouver or with a layover in Vancouver. Family and maternity photoshoots here are beautiful with the tall grasses in the water and the meadow fields of wildflowers right next to the ocean. There are many spots in Richmond Iona Beach - that give beautiful tall grassy fields and wild flowers next to a beach.
Terra Nova in Richmond BC : The next 3 phots were taken at Terra Nova community gardens and Rural Park, in Richmond BC, about a half hour from Vancouver BC. (google.com/maps/place/terra+nova+community+garden/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x54860b9cb73dd8ef:0x13622d22a8080469?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111 : at this location you will find tall grasses, sunflowers, and other garden and rural wild flowers, It has a cute red barn and access to a series of walkways that are wild and beautiful with textures and natural earthy tones that make for beautiful wall art of your family photoshoot in any home.
Wild flowers at Terra Nova Rural Park maternity photoshoot
Tera Nova Community Garden - Maternity Family Photoshoot
Spanish Banks and Jericho Beaches(https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/spanish-bank-beach.aspx) for a family photoshoot or maternity shoot. This location is probably one of my most popular shoot locations over the years in the Summer months, especially for tourists. Getting the downtown cityscape makes for a wonderful keepsake of a family trip. Over the years I have had the honour of photographing so many families from all over the world at this wonderful location and the city I call home.
Jericho Beach city scape and tall grasses. This makes for a cool mix of water and sand, and greenery. Not all beaches have this feature which makes for more variety during a family photoshoot.
Golden hour at Spanish Banks West Concession (beach concession at Spanish Banks)
Spanish Banks Beach Vancouver BC : this beautiful family below was here from Dallas Texas - it was a final family trip for growing children soon to leave home. We started at Jericho Beach near the ponds and trees and then headed to the beach at Spanish Banks for the last part of golden hour.
This is a stunning and intimate location for maternity photoshoot in Terra Nova Richmond BC, although I have used it for extended family shoots(large family photoshoots) , and even first birthday cake smash. There is a birch tree lined trail that I love and have used probably close to 100 times. The white bark of the birch trees add interesting texture, nice open shade, as well as romantic appeal for so many possible shoots. The birch trees have long drapey branches that create intimate spaces for cozy shots with close family members.
If you want this meadow vibe similar to Terra Nova try Oak Meadows near Oak and 37th is still one of my favourite little known secret spots for this adorable cousins family mini session. (Summer 2026)
Stanley Park in Vancouver BC : forest, ocean, fields, and ponds, stanley park is still an obvious choice for a family photoshoot but for very good reason.
maternity family picnic photoshoot at Stanley Park's footbridge in Vancouver BC
Footbridge in Stanley Park photo by Rochelle Elise Photography
YOUR HOUSE (at home, (in home) summer photoshoot) sometimes can be the best most meaningful location for a family photoshoot:
This photoshoot was taken for this family in West Vancouver on their property. They were actually leaving the lower mainland moving to the U.S. for work, and wanted photos as a memory of the family home and neighbourhood they raised their kids in. I thought this was so nostalgic and beautiful.
I love how they dressed in the colours that complimented both summer and their home, pale yellow, white and jean blue.
West Coast FOREST: Pacific Spirit Park, Stanley Park Forest and Golden Ears Provincial Park are 3 of my favourite forest locations for a family, maternity or even Extended Large family photoshoot
this incredible forest is about an hour outside of Vancouver proper, so it is a drive but honestly it is so worth it. It is Golden Ears Provincial Park, and has one of the most green mossy forests I have found in the entire Fraser Valley and Vancouver Suburb area.
Maternity Session at Golden Ears Provincial Park with Rochelle Elise Photogrpahy
BONUS Location : this location has become one of the most popular spots over the past 10 years I have been shooting. It is at Pitt Lake in Pitt Meadows. (the mountains, the water and natural meadows make for stunning photos no matter the occasion).
Pitt Lake - Pitt Meadows Maternity Session with family dog
Bonus Location #2: Queen Elizabeth Park (ponds make a beautiful background). This is an outdoor newborn family photo session.
I think this is the park I have gone to time and time again as a staple reliable location no matter the season. I have done cherry blossom, fall and christmas sessions here(cherry blossom trees, Evergreen trees, rose garden, ponds, oh and even snow - QE park because it is higher elevation(was once callled "Little Mountain", but is still in the middle of Vancouver - the snow melts the slowest up here. If you have lived in Vancouver for 10 years or more you wouldl know that it does on occasion snow in the lowermainland but it does melt quickly. Before you know it the snow falls.
outdoor newborn family session at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver BC
Comments