When it comes to family photos, choosing a location can almost be as hard as getting your 3-year-old to cooperate. And while I can’t help you with the toddler parenting part 😅  I can help you find your perfect spot. Keep reading for some of my favourite family photography spots in the Vancouver area.

Family Photography Location Criteria

There were quite a few considerations when it came to choosing these parks. I wanted to make sure I kept things as easy and stress-free as possible for busy families. Some of my top considerations were:

Parking Access

I wanted to make sure that it was easy to access/find parking. I didn’t want to recommend areas that have small parking lots or require a bit of a walk to get to the location. Please note, some parking is paid (ie Queen Elizabeth Park)

Space

These parks can be quite popular in the summer so making sure there was enough space for us to always be able to find a quiet corner away from the crowds was a must-have in my books.

Variety Of Backgrounds

Giving you a variety in backgrounds is important to me. And the added bonus is that walking from one spot to the next can help expend some excited energy for the active ones and gives me time to interact with shy ones in hopes of a smile 😜.

Family-friendly Vancouver Family Photography Locations

#1 Trout Lake Park (John Hendry)

Okay not just Trout Lake Park, but Trout Lake Park in the fall. There’s nothing better than the fall leaves covering every square inch of the park. I mean, leaf piles, throwing leaves in the air, leaves in the background…the family photo possibilities are endless!

Trout Lake is also a super accessible park. It’s not far from East Van so it’s easy to get to, and there’s tons of free parking. If you’re looking for a spot that’s hyper-local, requires minimal planning, is still drop-dead gorge, and has 2 playgrounds, this is the location for your fam!

#2 Queen Elizabeth Park 

For all the flower-lovers, Queen Elizabeth Park doesn’t disappoint! From Spring to Fall, the gardens are lush greens sprinkled with colourful plants + flowers. A popular wedding venue locale, it is also a fantastic option for family photos.

A big enough park to always find a quiet spot just for us, also gives us lots of space to release some of the kiddos’ excited energy. The water fountains at the top of the park are always a kid favourite. (FYI this is also a pay parking lot)

#3 Jericho Beach & Spanish Banks

If you’re looking to stay within Vancouver and VIEWS are #1 on your list, then either Jericho Beach or Spanish Banks Beach would be perfect for you! Located just west of Point Grey, your commute within Van is almost nothing. And, because both beaches look out over English Bay, we still get beautiful mountain views, water backdrops, and city views. These spots are personal favs of mine when it comes to capturing sunset pics!

Pro Tip: Timing your family photos on a night that low tide is at the same time as your session would make for banger photos!

#4 Garry Point Park

Located in Richmond, BC, Garry Point Park is a family—and their photographer’s—dream location! With beach, open fields, and quaint, small town vibes (it’s right next to Steveston Village), we have more than enough options to give your photo gallery awesome variety. And, there’s so much to do that this location is sure to keep your kids’ attention. Being right on the water, Garry Point Park also gives us stunna views to work with. There’s literally no way you’ll be disappointed with the family photos we take here 😍

#5 Deer Lake Park 

If you’re willing to leave Vancouver proper, Burnaby’s Deer Park is a total hidden gem. It boasts a cute boardwalk, lush trails, and lake views. During the summer months, you can even rent kayaks to paddle around the lake!

Deer Park would be a really chill location to spend a day capturing family photos, giving total “summer park day” vibes. Bring coffees (or juice boxes) and snacks, or even a picnic snack, and make a day out of it!

#6 Centennial Beach 

Centennial Beach is located Delta, at Boundary Bay Regional Park. And because it’s surrounded by an entire regional park, it’s super diverse photography-wise. We have so many options available for cute spots and backdrops, but my personal favourite vibe is the water views and tall grasses that give photos an airy, beachy feel. Just like Spanish Banks and Jericho, Centennial Beach would be 👌🏽 perfection for fall sunset photos and littles with early bedtimes.

#7 Stanley Park 

Okay, so you’re not exactly shocked to see Stanley Park on the list, I know! But hear me out, because Stanley Park is a classic for a reason. I love that it’s big enough to give us TONS of different photo backdrop ideas and places to have fun, but that you can still sneak away and find a quiet corner. Plus, it has all the ingredients for a *perfect* Vancouver family photography session: 

• Amazing views

• Beach

• Trails

• Open green fields

I also love that this park WORKS for big families, small families, families with dogs, families with accessibility needs, outdoorsy families, less-outdoorsy families, and everyone in between. And, with on-site bathrooms and concession stands throughout the park, Stanley Park also makes planning easier for families with younger kids! Note: This park has pay parking, but it’s worth it since we drive around to a few spots in the park for a variety of views.

NOTE: with the recent changes to the flow of traffic, I haven’t been hitting up Stanley Park as often.

Looking to update your family photos?

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