Family Vacation Photographer in Vancouver: What to Know Before You Book!

Family photography blog
Aug 1
4 min read

Whether you're visiting Vancouver for the first time or it’s your favourite place to escape to with the family, booking a vacation photo session is one of the best ways to capture your memories — and come home with something even better than souvenirs.

Before you book, here are a few helpful things to know that will make your photo experience smooth, relaxed, and so worth it.

Family on vacation in Vancouver laughing together during candid photo session outdoors

☀️ 1. Vancouver Weather: What to Expect

Vancouver is absolutely beautiful — but she does love to keep you guessing when it comes to weather.

If you’re visiting in:

Spring: Think cherry blossoms and fresh green everywhere. There may be some drizzle, but it’s gorgeous.
Summer: Warm days, later sunsets, and the most reliable weather. This is the most popular time for outdoor sessions.
Fall: Dreamy golden light, crunchy leaves, and cozy layers — a photographer’s paradise.
Winter: Moody skies, misty forest vibes, or even snowy scenes if you want to head up a mountain.

If you're not sure what the weather will be like during your trip, just ask! I’ll help you plan for it — or have a backup plan just in case like your hotel, Airbnb etc.

🗺️ 2. You Don’t Need to Know the Perfect Spot

No need to spend hours Googling "best places for family photos in Vancouver." I’ve got you!

Let me know the vibe you’re into — urban, forest, beach, mountains, gardens, etc. — and I’ll suggest the best hidden gems that work with your schedule and the light.

Some are walkable, some are iconic, and some are quiet spots most tourists never see.

And don’t worry, I’ll tell you exactly where to park and what to bring!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 3. Mini, Full, or Documentary Session? Here’s How to Decide!

All three are amazing — it really just depends on what kind of story you want to tell.

📸 Mini Session (20 mins, 5 images)

Great for:

• A few standout images during your vacation

• Families who want something quick and simple

• Older kids or camera-shy partners who prefer a short session

• Tight travel schedules

This adorable family was from out of State and booked me about a week before arriving in Vancouver. They picked my Mini session and chose to do the 'all image' upgrade (available at time of booking) to get all of the best photos from the Session (saved them $100!!) and they were SO happy with the photos yay!!

I actually just returned their photos yesterday and had this convo today with the Dad. This is what actually motivated me to write this blog because THESE PHOTOS are such a great way to document a vacation!!

Lifestyle family photography in Vancouver capturing joyful vacation moments

📸 Full Session (40 mins, 10 images)

Great for:

• More variety — different groupings, individual shots, candids

• Younger kids who need time to warm up

• Celebrating a bigger milestone (anniversary, birthday, etc.)

• Families who want a full gallery to choose from

The family below booked with me and wanted a city vibe, so city vibe it was! They booked my Full Session and ended up purchasing some additional photos after. We had so much fun playing and dancing in the streets - safely, of course! haha

📸 Documentary Session (60 mins, all the best images included)

Great for:

• Capturing your family just being — no posing, no pressure

• A beach day, city walk, nature adventure, or chill picnic-style hang

• Families who value the real stuff — messy hair, real laughs, and tiny in-between moments

• People who want something more artistic and natural than a traditional session

This family here really wanted to document not only what they love, but also an urban vibe. Fire tucks, city streets, and a beautiful community garden with Native art - CHECK! I enjoyed my time with this family so much just chatting and walking around, it was so lovely!

I took a lot of time scouting for this session and planning, and I could not be happier with how it worked out!

I have another blog specifically about my Documentary Sessions, fyi, and you can find that at the bottom of this Blog!

Documentary sessions are also a perfect way to capture what travel really feels like — not just what it looks like.

Idea for a Doc Session: Few photos outside of your hotel, walk to a cute coffee shop, get a snack, go to the playground close by, or head down to the water to capture the outstanding beauty of the ocean and Mountains. Walk, play, and snuggle all while creating a core memory!

Still unsure of what package is best for your family? Just reach out. I’ll ask a few quick questions about your vibe and goals, and help you land on the perfect session for your family.

💌 4. I’ll Handle the Details (So You Can Relax)

Once you book, you’ll get a full Welcome Package that walks you through:

📍 Location suggestions based on your vision
👗 What to wear and how to coordinate (even if your suitcase is full of chaos)
🧒 How to prep the kids for photos without bribery (well, maybe just a little bribery)
📸 What to expect during the session, so nothing feels awkward or stiff

I’ve been doing this full time since 2010, and my goal is to make you feel like you’re just hanging out with a new friend— not posing for awkward photos! Unless you like to do silly 80's awkward poses, cause I'm SO in for that haha!