Vancouver is home to some of the best outdoor photography spots for photographers capturing client shoots like professional business headshots, fashion photoshoots, lifestyle photography, as well as street photography. Because of Downtown Vancouver’s density, many spots offer a variety of backdrops within a close area to create an illusion that multiple shoots were done within one session.
These locations are some of my personal favourites from around Vancouver for all types of professional photography sessions with clients. Some are off the beaten path and lesser known than popular Instagram photoshoot spots in the city. Many of these I’ve found on lunch break walks around the city or noticing other photographers taking advantage of the area.
In particular, these Vancouver photoshoot locations are best for people-based photoshoots, focussing in on a clear subject. I aim to use backgrounds and photoshoot locations to complement subjects through purposeful composition and to carefully avoid creating distracting elements. For me, leading lines throughout the city I find frame and compliment subjects the best — whether up close or full body.
These spots are perfect for professional photographers in Vancouver, travellers, or those new to photography looking for hidden spots to test their skills. These are not necessarily best for city landscape shots but are perfect for shooting with subjects.
Note that if you’re a couples, engagement, or wedding photographer, these locations might not necessarily be you or your client’s vibe; however, if you like capturing texture, contrast, and a more urban feel, these are perfect to keep in your back pocket and recommend to clients and models.
Woodward’s Building Atrium
49.282918, -123.108718
The Woodward’s Building atrium area in Gastown has been one of my go-to photography locations for the past five years. This area is perfect for portraits, fashion, and lifestyle photography shoots in Vancouver.
The atrium itself, the columns in front of JJ Bean, the brick steps of the SFU campus, the painted walls of The Cambie bar alleys, the black shutters, textured cement, and the contrast between brick and concrete all create the perfect run through for a photoshoot. Starting on one side and working your way through creates a diverse feel of shots which is perfect for content creation and getting the most value from a shoot.
During the day, the JJ Bean or The GPO Bar works for using their bathrooms for changing. Be mindful that the Atrium gets incredibly windy at times and the concrete columns can become a wind tunnel.
Waterfall Building
49.269331, -123.139917
The Waterfall Building area is perfect for portrait, headshot, and lifestyle photography shoots. Located just outside of Granville island, this spot has some of the best natural light in the city. The light concrete reflects daylight perfectly. The waterfall feature itself offers and incredible backdrop for portraits. The cement steps, areas behind the elevators, and around the strata complex offers a diverse range of photoshoot backdrops to create a unique feel. It’s proximity to Granville Island makes for a perfect spot to end off your shoot.
Burrard Landing
49.289857, -123.116679
If you’re looking for a spot that represents everything Vancouver has to offer, the Burrard Landing is the most stunning, colourful, and professional-looking photoshoot spots in Downtown Vancouver. You’ll find it just beside the Cactus Club Coal Harbour on the west side of the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Heading right up to the water’s barrier, you’ll be surprised to find that on most weekday afternoons, this place is completely empty. Weekends can get busy but without tourist traffic through COVID this has been my favourite spot to shoot. You’ll find views of West Vancouver, the mountains, ocean, and Vancouver’s Financial District skyline. The artful displays, columns, and architecture presents perfect framing and composition opportunities for photographers.
Be careful to avoid the east side of the convention centre because security seems to instantly shut down any photoshoot they see on that side. They’re careful about the licensing of the image of the Vancouver Convention Centre — be mindful!
Chinatown
49.280390, -123.105017
If you’re looking for a more street, urban, and gritty environment full of texture, Chinatown brings it all together. Filled with graffiti and classic building facades, you can travel up and down every street and capture a different photography angle or backdrop every time.
Specifically, I meet my clients in the Shanghai Alley in Chinatown. This spot is just off the main drag near the beautiful Chinatown entrance gates and behind Jack Chow Insurance. This area has a bit less foot traffic and is an easier place to start your shoot before entering the busyness. Angles of the old buildings, the bright colours, and the contrast between aqua, red, yellow, and textured concrete offers options to complement every outfit. You can head further into Chinatown to check out towering parkades that let you capture a terrific view of the streets below and clever natural light.
I’ve exclusively used this area for fashion photography and some lifestyle photography in Vancouver. Because of the rough side of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside located not too far away, this is an area I’m cautious about when suggesting to clients and I’m sure to brief them on what to expect.
Vancouver Courthouse
49.281259, -123.123444
Long been a favourite for corporate headshots, business portraits, lifestyle, fashion photography, the Vancouver Courthouse area is an oasis right smack in the middle of downtown. With the architecture of the glass courthouse building, high rises, greenery from the courthouse’s landscaping, and the leading lines from all the concrete make it perfect for framing a single subject. For headshot sessions and portraits, I make use of the benches for a variety of sitting shots, hands against the glass railing or concrete, and heading to the far side down to the Vancouver Art Gallery makes for limitless potential.
I love this area because it is a public space and security cannot kick you out (unlike many in the city). You’ll often find dance groups practicing here and makes for a great energy. That said, inside the courthouse is off limits for photography. You’ll quickly have an officer asking you to delete the photos on your camera (sharing from experience).
Vancouver Library
49.279565, -123.116288
The Vancouver Library is one of the best photoshoot spots because it is one of the few public shooting areas that are great for rainy days. This rainy-day Vancouver photoshoot location is always in my back pocket to recommend. The towering columns around the entrances are my favourite for starting a shoot. It creates a European feel and the beige, neutral colours pair well with any outfit. The steps offer great sitting options.
A lesser-known fact: you’re actually able to head to the library’s publicly accessible rooftop patio.
The rooftop patio at the Vancouver Library is a hidden gem most Vancovuerites don’t know about. Simply take the elevator to the top and you’ll have a quiet, easygoing shooting location with a skyline of Vancouver.
I’ve used this location for headshot photography, lifestyle photography, fashion photography, and commercial photography. If it is a rainy day, in a pinch this is a great option for any photography work with a subject.
Gastown (Powell St. & Columbia St.)
49.283264, -123.102188
Gastown is a location familiar to almost all local photographers in Vancouver; the Steam Clock is a staple photo along with the street lamps, brick buildings, and cozy sidewalks with storefronts. However, it is the busiest shooting location in town and is only recommended if you’re comfortable with pedestrians in the background (which isn’t a bad look, depending on what you’re going for).
If shooting in Gastown, starting near Powell St. & Columbia St.. offers the same Gastown photography staples but with more privacy and fewer passersby. I head up Alexander Street capturing photos in the streets, sidewalks, and building facdes. This end of Alexander St. lets you capture subjects standing right in the middle of the street without interrupting traffic. The big brick building on Columbia off of Powell is an awesome portrait background with towering walls and black accents with the stoop and windowsills. I’ll often finish my shoots heading up Powell for more street photos or off onto Cordova.
This spot in Vancouver’s Gastown is perfect for portrait photography, street photography, fashion photography, and couples and engagements.
Railtown
49.283914, -123.089670
A more recent location spot I’ve rediscovered: the Railtown area further down in Gastown is adjacent to the head offices of well-known Vancouver brands Aritzia and Herschel, who use this location regularly for shoots. This area is often dead quiet without any busyness or foot traffic. I love it because you can control the entire area, with so many building fronts and painted walls to take advantage of. The overpass heading from Clark St. into the docks makes for a cool overhang for fashion shots and to capture backgrounds that compliment.
The painted brick along with the contrast between all the unique buildings make for endless combinations with colour for portraits and lifestyle photos. From experience last time, watch out for stepping in dog poop! Since this area isn’t often patrolled, I’ve found litter and pet waste to be a real problem – keep your shoes clean! Make sure to do your part and pick up anything you’ve left behind here.
Conclusion
Many photographers are secretive of where they take their subjects; however, finding out locations from those more experienced when first starting out was my key to building a photography business and taking advantage of the incredible city we get to call home. Instead of limiting yourself to the walls of a studio, the Vancouver streets offer countless possibilities that you can use to recommend and match with each and every client.
If you’re looking to use these spots for fashion photography, check out my guide on how to build a fashion photography portfolio from scratch. Moreover, the best way to add depth to your images and stand out from the crowd is to use off-camera softbox flashes or strobes in your portrait photography. My guide makes it easy to get started – even if you haven’t used them before.
If you’re a headshot photographer, these spots are perfect for clients – even those who aren’t familiar with being in front of the camera. Especially if you work with people who aren’t models, I recommend checking out my guide on posing non-models for portraits. Furthermore, here’s what to wear and how to prepare for headshot and portrait photography sessions.
If you’ve made it this far and have found any of these locations helpful (or ever plan to use them for your own shoots), please consider dropping a follow on Instagram or subscribing to my street photography POV videos on my YouTube channel.