5 Alternative Engagement Photoshoot Locations Around Vancouver To Avoid The Crowds
Picture this: After months of anticipation, brimming with nerves and excitement, you and your partner get all ready for your engagement shoot. You and your photographer have taken a lot of care to select the perfect spot with amazing scenery. You don’t know what to expect because this is your first photoshoot with your partner, and you are a bit shy in front of the camera. You arrive at the location, only to find 8 other photographers doing their own photoshoots! This can be a huge vibe killer for some. In fact, most of our couples would describe themselves as camera shy or awkward in front of the camera. That’s where we come in!
We have all been there. Popular locations are popular for a reason, and with the ebb and flow of seasons, weather, and lighting, each location can be busy on some days and quiet on others. But when you are planning an engagement shoot, one of the things that can help with nerves is to have a quiet space free of crowds that encourages a feeling of intimacy and privacy. We have taken the time to name 5 of our favourite locations around the Greater Vancouver Area that make for great alternatives to some of their busier counterparts.
1. Buntzen Lake (Alternative to Pitt Lake)
Distance: 40 mins from Vancouver
Pros: Versatile Location. Lots of parking. Beautiful Lake Reflections (sunrise is amazing).
Cons: Beach area can get busy in summer (must hike along the lake for better location). Need a free pass during summer months (avoid weekends if you can). Hours can be restrictive.
If you have ever been to Pitt Lake at sunset, especially during the summer, more often than not you will be greeted with no less than 20 photoshoots - maternity, engagement, wedding, family, you name it. It is a super accessible location that is undoubtedly a beautiful, and has so much to offer nestled between Widgeon Peak, Pitt Lake, and Golden Ears. However dealing with the crowds can be really challenging in finding the right spot and also adds nerves to those who are already camera shy.
Introducing Buntzen Lake. This is a lake operated by BC Hydro that is located in Anmore, BC. At roughly 40 minutes from Vancouver, this lake is roughly the same distance as Pitt Lake and offers a lot of the same benefits. This lake is surrounded by mountains (Mount Beautiful & Eagle Mountain to the East, and the Diez Vistas to the West), and is nestled in such a way that the water surface remains unbroken by wind a lot of the time, meaning a higher chance of gorgeous lake reflections!
This area is largely used for recreation with a large beach, dog beach, and a fairly easy hike that follows the shoreline around the entire lake. Parking is plentiful, however during the summer months you will need a free day pass through the BC Hydro site linked below. The beach is beautiful to photograph; we recommend sticking to the West side of the beach as the further East you go, typically the busier it gets in our experience. From there if you take the trail 15 minutes up the path you will get to a gorgeous lookout that faces due West which has some amazing reflections. On the way, you will find many areas with large trees, a beautiful green canopy, and a winding riverbed that all make for great photo spots.
Our favourite spot: Map
You can obtain free passes between May 15 and Sep 2nd here
2. Lighthouse Park (Alternative to Whytecliff Park)
Distance from Vancouver: 28 minutes
Pros: Beautiful, lots of variety, large so you can easily get away from crowds (avoid Juniper Point) on weekends for climbers
Cons: Paid parking, hike to all locations ~15 minutes.
Whytecliff Park is a gorgeous area to watch the sunset and offers a wide variety of backdrops, however, it is often fairly packed, tough to find parking, and is a lot smaller than it may seem. Lighthouse park offers all of the same attributes to Whytecliff Park but with more space to spread out. Rocky outcroppings? Check. Beautiful big trees? Check. Ocean views? Check. It’s all there. With a 10-15 minute hike to Juniper Point, East Beach Viewpoint, or the Best Lighthouse Viewpoint, there are many locations to choose from with beautiful sights in between.
We have shot so many photoshoots here and have never encountered another photographer doing a photoshoot in all of those times (maybe we are lucky). Even at it’s busiest, there is a lot of space to spread out so you can easily pick a location that is away from other people. As you make your way along the peninsula, you will stumble across so many beautiful spots, including East Beach, which is the best sunrise location in all of the Greater Vancouver area (pictured below)
If you are coming at a time that will be busier (sunset, weekends, etc.) be prepared to have a tricky time finding parking. In recent years West Vancouver has instituted a paid parking system in the area so you will be forced to pay to park, and if you cannot park in the lot you will have to park down the street (roughly 1km) and walk in.
Our favourite spot: Map
3. Alouette Lake - North Beach (Alternative to Pitt Lake)
Distance from Vancouver: 45 minutes
Pros: Versatile location. One of the most beautiful locations in the lower mainland.
Cons: Short hike to get to this location, free pass in the summer, can be busy on summer weekends
As mentioned above, Pitt Lake is gorgeous, but it’s busy. Whenever we have a couple ask for Pitt Lake as inspo, our minds immediately go to this location. Golden Ears park is a stunning crown jewel of the lower mainland and holds a piece of everything that is coastal BC: Water, Trees, Mountains. The options for photoshoot locations are seemingly endless depending on the effort level you want to commit to, from a quick forest stroll to a full day hiking adventure.
Our favourite spot is the North Beach area. You will park here and will make your way down the trail that starts here. During your 15 minute walk through the woods the path parallels the river, which runs a crystal clear green colour throughout most of the year. At the end of the path the view opens up and you are treated to a 360 view of mountains as you finish your walk on the peninsula that juts out into the middle of Alouette Lake.
If you are up for a slightly longer adventure, you can head towards Gold Creek Falls which is about a 1.5 hour (roundtrip) hike to a stunning cascading waterfall. If you are looking for a BIG adventure, consider Evan’s Peak (video here) or even Golden Ears itself as pictured below.
Golden Ears is a provincial park, meaning there are restrictions on times you can enter among other things. Certain areas of the park have been closed in the past due to landslides, or other environmental factors. Please check the website for news and information BEFORE you go.
Our favourite spot: Map
Free day passes in the summer months can be acquired here.
4. Pacific Spirit Park - Cleveland Trail (alternative to Stanley Park)
Distance from Vancouver: 15 minutes
Pros: Lots of areas to spread out. Relatively flat walking area.
Cons: A little more searching for perfect locations. Lots of dog walkers, runners, and cyclists on weekends.
This is the closest location on the list because it’s only a short hop over from Vancouver into Kits/UBC area. When we have requests for shoots in Stanley Park we try to figure out what’s most important to the client first, and usually it’s the stunning massive trees that dot the landscape in the park. If that’s the case, we recommend Pacific Spirit Park, as it offers many of the benefits that Stanley Park has but without the draw of tourism.
It is usually easy to find parking along the roadside of 16th. From there you will embark on the Cleveland trail and after 5 minutes of walking you will find many locations with large trees and a high forest canopy that lets lots of light in for the photoshoot. Once you hit the first fork in the trail both left and right offer some gorgeous options for shoots. If you step off the trail in one of the large open sections of the forest you will have a nice private area to photograph.
This can also be a great spot for Vancouver couples getting married as it isn’t too far from downtown and there are lots of locations for wedding parties to spread out for wider group shots! This is definitely a location that will require a bit of exploring to get familiar with because there are so many twists and turns. Joggers and dog walkers enjoy this network of pathways as well so if you are there during a busy period then you will find yourself having to move off path fairly often, however, if you find a nice open location then you can simply take advantage of the open forest floor and do your photos there in peace.
Our favourite spot: Map
5. Oasis Beach (alternative to Kits Beach or Jericho Beach)
Distance from Vancouver: 20 minutes.
Pros: Away from crowds. One of the only options for open ocean views in Vancouver.
Cons: 500+ steps down to the beach (also very scenic though). Not a very sandy beach.
Vancouver is stunning because it has amazing views of mountains, ocean, beaches, and trees, and it is all highly accessible from the city. But if you’ve ever been to any of the area’s beaches during a warm period you will know just how busy these places can be. If I never go to Kits Beach again, it will be too soon.
That’s where Oasis Beach comes in. This beach is nestled on the coastline of the UBC area down a winding series of stairs (which themselves offer some beautiful photo opportunities with rainforest vibes). You will park here and descend the stairs! As you descend the staircase you will come upon many areas to take photos, especially at sunset as the sun shines through the trees. This beach is similar to Wreck Beach, but is less visited due to it’s rockier nature. Here you won’t find as many people sunbathing or going for a swim because it’s a bit less comfy and considerably smaller than Wreck Beach. This is what makes it perfect for a more intimate photoshoot!
Our favourite spot: Map
6. (Bonus) Squamish Malamute
Distance From Vancouver: 1 hour
Pros: Fantastic Effort to View Ratio.
Cons: 10-15 minute hike
Honestly, we just threw this one in here because it’s stunning, and if you’re ever hard up for a location, then this is a hit every single time. There is nothing quite like driving the Sea to Sky Highway when you turn the corner after Murrin Park to be greeted by the massive granite slab that is the Stawamus Chief. The views from the top of which are breathtaking from any of it’s 3 peaks. We have done that hike probably 50 times, but have yet to find a couple that is keen on hiking it for a photoshoot. This is where the Malamute has been a huge help. It boasts many of the benefits of being atop the Chief without the effort. After a short 15 minute hike across the highway to the top of this rock slab, you are treated with views of Howe Sound, the Chief, and Garibaldi (on clear days). This area is a little smaller than some of the other locations on the list, but after several photoshoots in the area we rarely encounter anyone.
Our favourite spot: Map
The downside to this location is that it does require a bit of a more strenuous hike (short but steep in some areas). So just be sure to bring a change of shoes to hike in with proper footwear. Additionally, this is a very quiet space that some people come to read or just sit and enjoy the sunset, so please act with respect as always.
As with any location recommendation, we always suggest checking out the locations before your shoot. This is super important so when the shoot day arrives, you can be confident that you know exactly where to go, what the lighting is going to look like, and have a solid game plan so that the couple/subject will feel at ease knowing they are taken care of. Additionally, we ALWAYS ask that you practice the hiking principles of leave no trace and respecting others spaces during any photo activities. Pack out anything you pack in, keep the noise down, and be at peace with those around you. We recognize that not everyone has the flexibility to go on a weekday, or do a sunrise session (highly underrated), but with these locations they should give you some good options to hopefully minimize traffic during your photo session! Happy shooting!
About the Authors - Em Bowman & Josh Ford
We are a videographer/photographer duo that has a passion for storytelling, adventures, travel, and baked goods. We have always loved photography and videography, and have years of experience capturing moments and sharing in stories with all of the wonderful people we get to meet.
