Photography and Videography Locations

by | May 5, 2020 | Resources, VW Weddings

LOCATIONS

Choosing the location of your wedding (or engagement) photos may seem like a quick decision at the end of your list – but we’d recommend putting some extra thought into where and when you’ll be taking photos that will be with you the rest of your lives.

We believe that your love is a beautiful story, so our passion is to capture that love you are building. Your shoot location can have a big impact on the outcome of these photos and videos. Here are a few reasons why it’s important to consider your shoot location!

The place where you take the photos really represents you as a couple, and will either take away, or accentuate your love. Most couples love having their wedding photos on display in their home, and the location you choose, as well as the time of day, will have a big impact on the way your photos look. The background and lighting in your photos will create a mood, colour scheme, and aesthetic. It’s great to start with a location that reflects you as a couple and then make any necessary adjustments in the editing process. Look below and see if this helps direct you! Pop us a message if you’re still feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

For some couples, the timing and location of their wedding photos will influence the locations available for their shoot. Sometimes the actual venue of the ceremony and/or reception can be used for the shoot. Other times, the proximity to the ceremony or reception venue has a big impact on their choice. Oftentimes people don’t have their hearts set on a specific space, they just want something that speaks to them like trees, or mountains, or water.

Traditional Photography Locations

Generally, these locations are classic areas of photography and videography for brides and grooms. Most commonly, couples use the same location or venue from their ceremony or reception. Many of these times classic venues including golf clubs or public parks.

 

Photography Venues in Greater Vancouver, BC

There are many, many classic shoot locations around Vancouver, BC. If you live elsewhere, you may be inspired to find something similar where you live.

Examples in BC:

  • Stanley Park
  • Gastown
  • VanDusen Gardens in Vancouver
  • Queen Elizabeth Park

Unique Photography Locations

We love shooting in unique locations that are special and representative of you as a couple. There are so many unique spots that you can have your shoot that will make for photos that will be truly unique to you.

Depending on the mood, look, and style that you like and feel shows you the best, a unique location really allows you to express yourselves.

Somewhere Meaningful

A meaningful location could be your engagement spot, place you had your first date, where you first kissed, your favorite date location, or a home/room that is significant to you. These spots hold sentimental value, and can be nastalgic, tender, and bring a sense of intimacy and increased emotion into your photos.

Suburban Areas

You don’t have to choose a park or your ceremony location for your photoshoot. If you are looking for a unique look in between your venues (or maybe even on its doorstep) look no further than the buildings and streets.

Suburban areas can give all sorts of colors, indoor and outdoor options, moods, and architecture to work with. They also offer much to work with – shadows, lines, doors, walkways, etc.

Examples in BC:

  • Quaint: Fort Langley or Historic Houses in Victoria.
  • By the water: Coal Harbour or False Creek in Vancouver, Pier in New Westminster, Marina in Victoria

    More Examples in BC:

    • Cultural: Chinatown Victoria or Vancouver

    • Hipster: South Main in Vancouver or Art District

    • Other: Britannia ship yards in Richmond

      Library or Museum

      Using a library or mesuem (with permission of course!) can be a great way to get quirky and represent yourselves. Think: science fiction museums, history museums, old bookstore, massive library shelves … the options are endless if this is your jam.

      Examples in BC:

          • Roedde House Museum (Vancouver)
          • Museum of Anthropology (UBC, Vancouver)
          • The Polygon Gallery (Lonsdale Quay, Vancuver)
          • Rennie Museum (contemporary art museum, Vancouver)
          • Vancouver Public Library (Vancouver)
          • The Richmond Library (Richmond)
          • The Whale Interpetive Centre (Vancouver Island)
          • Parksville Musuem (Vancouver Island)
          • Semiahmoo Library (Surrey)
          • Surrey City Centre Library (Surrey)

        Bridges

        With the height and incredible architecture, bridges provide a great location for a variety of shots from different angles. Bridges can be shot from above, underneath, straight on, and more – depending on the creativitey and adventourous spirit of your photographer and videographer.

        Examples in BC:

          • Under Capilano Suspension Bridge (fee for entrance)
          • Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
          • Greenheart Treewalk (UBC, fee)
          • Kinsol Trestle (Vancouver Island)
          • Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge (Nanaimo, Vancouver Island)
          • Brohm Lake (Squamish)

        Epic Location

        Are you an adventurous couple? Adding in an epic location can give your shoot just what it needs to truly represent you as a couple. It might be outrageos colours, extreme height, incredible views, or complete contrast to your wedding get-up. You don’t have to hike to a mountain to get an epic shot. Check out our examples around BC to get inspired.

        Examples in BC:

          • Cliffs: Finlayson Point (Victoria), Lynn Canyon (Vancouver), Lions Bay (Vancouver), Lighthouse Park (Vancouver), Brohm Lake (Squamish), Green Lake (Whistler)
          • Mountaintop (via hike or helicopter): West Lion (Vancouver), Brunswick Mountain (Vancouver), Mount Tantalus (Sunshine Coast), Mount Garabaldi (Squamish), Mount Judge Howay (Fraser Valley)

          • Point Grey Battery Ruins / WWII Coast Artillery Search Light Post (Vancouver)
          • Othello Tunnels (Hope)
          • Cypress Lookout (Vancouver)
          • Hatley Castle (Vancouver Island)

                Free Photography Locations

                You don’t have to spend any money to have an amazing photography or videography shoot. There are endless options for a unique and beautiful shoot, and we have many ideas for you around the Greater Vancouver area.

                Some of these we’ve already mentioned, but if you really want to make sure then check out our list of free locations below.

                Orchard or Vineyard

                Although some orchards or vineyards you must pay for entry, there are others were there is a small donation fee or you can enter for free. Follow our location etiqutte at the end of the blog on approaching an orchard or vineyard for confirmation you can shoot.

                Examples in BC:

                  • Southlands Farm (Vancouver, free by donation, working farm)
                  • Traves Family Farm (entrance fee, Abbotsford)

                Great Architecture

                Finding a cool building in the city or suburbs will give you a location with differences than just outside. If the weather might turn, or you want some variation in your shots, choosing a free location might be a great option. Sometimes just using the outside of a building or structure will provide you with the variation and vibe you’re looking for.

                Examples in BC:

                  • The Marine Building (Vancouver)
                  • Heritage Hall (Vancouver)
                  • Granville Island Silo Giants (Vancouver)
                  • Vancouver Public Library (Vancouver)
                  • Begbie Court (New Westminister)
                  • White Rock Promenade (on and underneath, White Rock)
                  • Lonsdale Quay (Vancouver)
                  • Front Street (New Westminster)

                Cool Stairwell

                Stairwells are a simple but incredibly atistic way to take stunning shots. The nature of staircases is that they can be so different, thus providing a completely unique shot opportunity. Whether you use a stairwell in the venue, around the city, or in a family home – they are always a good idea!

                Examples in BC:

                  • Woodwards Spiral Staircase (to nowhere, in Gastown)
                  • Dominion Building on W Hastings (Vancouver)
                  • UBC Campus (Vancouver)
                  • St. Pauls Church or St. Paul’s Hospital (Vancouver)
                  • Carnegie Community Centre (Vancouver)

                Paid Photography Locations

                If you want a shoot somewhere that is incredibly special to you, and quite unique, it may be great to look at paid locations. Finding a paid location reduces the possibility of other people having similar photos or shoots there.

                If you find a paid location that you love, contact the venue or place to follow our location etiquette. Bear in mind that you’ll have to pay for your photography/videography team to also get into the location.

                Mountaintops

                If you want to go BIG, then landing on a mountaintop for your photoshoot might just be the perfect idea. There are limitless options for breathtaking photos and video footage on a mountaintop. Other than scenic photos with jaw-dropping landscapes, there will also be beautiful untouched locations for an intimate session. If you want total adventure, you can hike up to a mountaintop for the shoot (bear in mind that you may have to pay an entrance fee to national/regional parks). An easier and more epic option is to take a helicopter to a landing peak for your shoot. Imagine some great shots inside the helicopter as you are making your way over.

                Examples in BC:

                • West Lion (Vancouver)
                • Brunswick Mountain (Vancouver),
                • Mount Tantalus (Sunshine Coast),
                • Mount Garabaldi (Squamish)
                • Mount Judge Howay (Fraser Valley)

                Tulip or Sunflower Festivals

                Flower festivals are a great way to enjoy a beautiful date, and something different, while also having a beautiful shoot. Different times of the year means different options that will be open. In spring the tulip and cherry blossom festivals are open, in summer the sunflower festival opens in August, and in autumn you can visit pumpkin patches as an alternative!

                Examples in BC:

                • Cherry Blossom Festival (Vancouver)
                • Abbotsford Tulip Festival (Abbotsford)
                • Chilliwack Tulip Festival (Chilliwack)
                • Tulips In The Valley Festival (Agassiz)
                • Sunflower Festival (Chilliwack)
                • Cultus Lake Flower Festival (Fraser Valley)
                • Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival (Richmond)

                Other Festivals

                Festivals are a great way to make your shoot come alive, and bring in an activity, hobby, or culture that you both enjoy as a. couple or that truly represents you. If you both hail from the same culture, then doing a shoot at your cultural festival might be a great choice! Be prepared to shoot with other people around, but don’t let that deter you. You may get some really creative and artistic shots. Here are just a few ideas of festivals around the year to get you thinking.

                Examples in BC:

                • Glow Festival (winter, Vancouver)
                • Christmas Glow (winter, indoor Vancouver)
                • Festival of Lights (winter, outdoor)
                • Celtic Fest (Celtic, spring)
                • Festival du Bois (French, spring)
                • Cinco de Mayo (Mexican, spring)
                • 5X Festival (Indian and Pakistan, summer)
                • Celebration of Lights (summer)
                • Vancouver Mural Festival (summer)
                • Fall Fair and Corn Festival (fall, Agassiz)
                • Cranberry Festival (fall, Fort Langley)

                Orchard or Vineyard

                Going to an orchard or vineyard can be a great location to give you both indoor and outdoor locations for your shoot – with so much variation! This was also on our free ideas, but some orchards or vineyards may need a higher entrance fee or you may have to pay to use their facilities. As always, use our location etiquette at the end to guide you on approaching the venue.

                  • Willow View Farm (in the fall, Abbotsford)
                  • Vista Doro Winery (Langley)
                  • Butchart Gardens (Vancouver Island)
                  • Apple Festival (UBC Botanical Garden)

                National/Regional Park

                We love parks! National and regional parks offer a different take on a normal park. There may be additional entrance fees to access these parks, so contact them to check. These parks offer more space, incredible views, amazing nature, and beautiful scenery. With more space comes more islotaion and intimacy for a private and romantic shoot. They also offer great options for using drones if you are having videography done.

                  • Pacific Spirit Regional Park (near UBC)
                  • Porteau Cove Provincial Park (near Squamish)
                  • Golden Ears Provincial Park (Maple Ridge)

                Picnic with beautiful setup

                If you have a small budget to spend on your photoshoot (wether engagement or wedding), a picnic is an intimate and special time with your significant other that makes for some gorgeous photos. Our aim is to have couples be relaxed and be themselves. Having a picnic together helps you focus on one another, relax, and even gives you intuitvie activities to do if you are shy of the camera. By simply focusing on drinking wine, sipping hot chocolate, snacking, and spending time together – we can get some sweet intimate photos.

                Picnic Ideas:

                • French inspired: wine, bread and cheese board
                • Dessert for two: hot chocolate, baked goods and treats
                • Coffee date: coffee or tea, cookies, bite-sized snacks

                Treehouse/Treetop

                This playful idea brings out the inner child, and makes some special photos that are both unique and epic. Hiding up in the treetops together would make for adventurous, epic, and nature-filled photos.

                  • Example in BC: Capilano Suspension Bridge Treetop Adventure

                Great Architecture or Cool Building

                Unlike the free accessed buildings, some incredibly stunning buildings and architecture are only accessed by paying a fee. Check out our etiquette guide below on how to approach the venue. Finding a building with incredible architecture (wether modern or historical) will bring in visual interest and make for creatively structured photos. The photographer can play with shadows, lines, and symmetry – making striking and creative photos of you two. The added bonus with these paid venues is that it is unlikely many people will have their photoshoots taken there.

                Examples in BC:

                  • Vancouver Urban Winery (Vancouver, may need to pay to get in)
                  • The Marine Building in Vancouver
                  • The Polygon Gallery (Lonsdale Quay)

                Outdoor Photography Locations

                If you want to brave the outdoors during the winter or fall for some epic shots, consider doing an outdoor shoot. During the spring or summer, outdoor locations are a regular choice! Finding the perfect outdoor location can give you beautiful colors, natural light, and the environment to play with.

                Where you choose to do your shoot really depends on how close (or far) from the ceremony and reception venue you can, or are willing to go. Oftentimes couples don’t have their hearts set on a space, they just have an idea of what they like; “trees or mountains or water”. Hopefully this will help get you inspired or give you an idea of what you’d really love for your photo/video-shoots.

                A river / lake

                Rivers and lakes are stunning places to have wedding photos and engagement photos taken. In any season, having the water in your pictures can add reflection, texture, or space. If you are too far from the ocean or lake, you can find a creek or river to add the water aspect to your photos.

                Examples in BC:

                • Chilliwack River (Fraser Valley)
                • Surrey Bend Regional Park (Surrey)
                • Deer Lake (Burnaby)
                • Capilano Lake (Vancouver)
                • Pitt River (Fraser Valley)
                • Alouette Lake (Fraser Valley)
                • Lynn Creek (Vancouver)
                • Colony Farm Regional Park (Coquitlam)

                On a dock

                Taking photos on a dock is a beautiful way to bring in the outdoors while keeping dry and without risking getting too dirty trecking through the sand or dirt in your wedding clothes. Wood also brings in a beautiful natural element to the pictures.

                Example in BC:

                  • Lost Lake (Whistler)
                  • Beaver Lake (Vancouver)
                  • Rice Lake (Vancouver)
                  • Mike Lake (Fraser Valley)
                  • Deep Cove (Vancouver)

                In a boat

                Similar to a dock, taking pictures in a boat can be a really fun way to bring your personality out in your photos. Any kind of boat/floating device like a paddle board, canoe, sailboat, and so many others can be a very different and unique way to do your pictures. This also allows you to take photos in areas on the water that not many people can access, making for photos that only you will have!

                Example in BC:

                  • Jones Lake (Chilliwack)
                  • Pitt Lake (Lower Mainland)
                  • Vargas Island (Vancouver Island)

                Or … in the river

                If you are wild at heart and spirited, then maybe getting in the water will be perfect for you. Pictures in the water can be extremely romantic, even sensual. We’d recommend taking some photos and video footage on land first, and then taking the plunge so you have some photos of both. You can just go in with your feet, half emmersion, or go full on swimming!

                Examples in BC:

                  • Cowichan River (Vancouver Island)
                  • Vedder River (Chilliwack)
                  • Capilano River (Vancouver)
                  • Alouette Lake (Fraser Valley)

                Farm

                If you love nature, and quirky animals then getting photos at a farm might be epic for you! Some farms allow free access, but be sure to follow our photo etiquette before planning to do your photoshoot there. Farm photos have the bonus of also having indoor locations such as overhangs and barns in case of the weather turning. Taking photos on farms feels rustic and charming, and you also have some farm animals around that can add a really wild and quirky side to your photos.

                 

                  • Example in BC: Kensington Prairie Farm (bonus points – they have alpacas!)

                Field

                Wide open spaces are whimsical, romantic, and provide great textures for beautiful photos. Fields also provide props to work with – flowers, long grass, trees, and more. We especially advocate for field photos at golden hour as it casts the perfect soft glow on the nature and your love.

                Examples in BC:

                  • Squamish Spit
                  • Green Timbers Urban Forest (Surrey)

                In a tree

                For the more adventourous couples, climbing in a tree can add an element of perspective and interest that would be so individual for your photos. We found a secret spot that we will let you in on!

                Example in BC:

                  • Cambie Climbing Tree (Vancouver, near King Edward Station)

                Waterfall

                Waterfalls are done so often for engagement photos and other couple shoots, but for a very good reason. Waterfall shoots are absolutely stunning and epic with nature doing all the work. Add a wedding dress, some wind, and a waterfall in the background and you have a jaw-dropping shot. With taking waterfall photos for your wedding, consider the amount of time it will take to get to the location. We have included the times below for some great BC locations!

                Examples in BC:

                  • Lower Myra Falls (Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island – 45 minute walk/hike round trip if you are up for it)
                  • Alexander Falls (Whistler, quick walk from parking)
                  • Brandywine Falls (Whislter, quick 15 minute walk from parking and 15 minute back)
                  • Shannon Falls (Squamish, quick walk from parking)
                  • Crystal Falls (Coquitlam, 2 hour round trip if you want to spend time walking there and taking photos along the way)
                  • Cliff Falls (Maple Ridge in Kanaka Creek Regional Park – this waterfall has a great bridge for taking photos on and is beautiful along the way. 30 minutes roundtrip)
                  • Cascade Falls (Mission, has a suspension bridge, 30 minutes roundtrip)
                  • Flood Hope Falls (in Hope, just off the parking lot, semi-private)

                Wedding Videography Shoot Locations

                Videography can be done in most shoot locations, but double check with your photographer that your location choice will work for them.

                Great videography footage benefits from a well-selected location. Depending on the scope decided between you and your videographer, you might want to shoot somewhere more artistic, somewhere with visual interest, outdoors, or with dramatic views. Here are a couple things to consider:

                Make sure you and your videographer agree on these together when choosing your location: drone shots, lighting, variety of shots, level of creativity/artistic ability, amount of people around during shoot, drama or contrast, indoor or outdoor.

                Engagement Photography Locations

                Most of these places work perfectly, or even better, as an engagement location. For engagement photos there is more flexibility as you can travel further without a restricted timeline that you might otherwise have on your wedding day.

                Consider the following about engagement locations for your photo or video shoot.

                Engagement Locations

                Most times you will go to one location for your engagement shoot, so consider your location choice with this in mind. We’d recommend choosing a location where you have variation for your shots, and can seamlessly transition into a couple different outfits for more variation. Try to pick one location with multiple perspectives so it feels like you’ve gone to different places.

                Think about this: if you have two or three different outfit varieties (even putting on a jacket can change your outfit), will there be enough variety at your location to also change with your outfits?

                For example, if you want to go to a regional park, you might want some really dramatic photos in formal wear in front of a waterfall, but then you change into a more casual look with jackets on and you can go onto the path in the trees and have some photos there. Lastly you take off your jackets and get ankle deep in the stream for some romantic and intimate shots.

                Photoshoot or Videoshoot Location Etiquette

                With all the ideas and inspiration flowing, it may be hard to take a step back and be realistic that you can actually shoot in the places you want.

                Chat to your photographer/videographer and see who should take responsibility for the following location etiquette tips.

                • Scout the location first (as far as possible!)
                • If it isn’t a free place or open to photography, call ahead and ask for permission to take photos (or video) or book if you need to
                • Find out if there are booking fees
                • Be prepared for a change in the weather
                • Be respectful of other people around you / using the location
                • Be flexible
                • Have a backup plan
                • When you arrive, give those in charge of the location a heads up that you have been allowed to take photos

                We hope you feel inspired and are ready to do a hundred different shoots becuase you have so much excitement! Enjoy and have fun!