How to Find the Right Spot for Your Family Portrait In Vancouver

March 15, 2008 |

The Larsen clan, at home in East Vancouver. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

Now that the weather’s warming up family portraits that were booked during the holiday season are starting to be photographed. Choosing a location in Vancouver is difficult only because there are so many great spots. One consideration, though, is group size.

A large group provides unique challenges for on-location and in-studio photographs. The larger the group, the more time needs to be allocated to the session. Numerous photos of each pose have to be taken. Even in the digital age, there’s no sure way to guarantee that everyone has their eyes open and is smiling until after the photographs are downloaded and processed.

Family portraits also should have a reserve of time of two hours or more because the group, particularly children, need to become comfortable with the photographer and the process of being in the picture. When I do a portrait shoot I usually want more than 120 photos in different settings and with a variety of looks. The more you have to choose from the more likely it is your heirloom portrait will be a superb art piece. And it should be. You will hang this photograph on your wall for years then pass it on to future generations.

My favorite locations in Vancouver for family portraits include Spanish Banks early in the morning, because it’s usually quieter than English Bay. Also, you can’t go wrong with the Rose Garden area of Stanley Park or Queen Elizabeth Park.

For a more urban setting, the seawall near George Wainborn Park, the lawn outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery and Library Square all offer enough space to accommodate a group while incorporating the fun, active atmosphere that our city embodies.

Email or give me a call (604-836-1412) to find out more details about my family portrait offerings.