I'm Kristi — a Vancouver engagement photographer who believes your engagement photos should actually look like the two of you. Not a catalogue version, not a posed approximation. You.
My approach is documentary. That means I'm not positioning you every thirty seconds or telling you to gaze meaningfully into the middle distance. I'm watching. I'm waiting. I'm capturing the moment one of you says something ridiculous and the other one breaks — and that's the photo you'll still love in fifteen years.
Engagement sessions are one of my favourite things to shoot, partly because the photos are genuinely beautiful, and partly because they're the best warm-up there is. By the time your wedding comes around, you'll already know what it feels like to be in front of my camera. Spoiler: it's a lot less awkward than you think.
I shoot across Greater Vancouver — Jericho Beach, Stanley Park, Gastown, the North Shore, wherever feels most like the two of you.
Documentary Engagement Photography in Vancouver
Most people are not naturally comfortable in front of a camera. This is normal. This is why I don't ask you to stand still and perform.
Documentary engagement photography means I give you things to do instead of poses to hold. Walk. Talk. Show me your favourite coffee spot. Wander somewhere you've always liked. I follow, watch, and find the frame when the real thing happens — the laugh you didn't plan, the way you look at each other when you think no one's watching.
It sounds simple, but it's the difference between photos that look like you and photos that look like everyone else's engagement shoot. The couples who are most nervous at the start are usually the ones who end up with the most extraordinary galleries — because once they forget I'm there, it all comes through.
This is the same philosophy I bring to weddings. The engagement session is where we rehearse it.
What to Expect From Your Vancouver Engagement Session
Sessions typically run 60 to 90 minutes. That's enough time for the nerves to dissolve, the light to do something beautiful, and Kristi to capture the moments that matter.
We'll pick a location that suits you — beach, forest, city, or somewhere that holds meaning to your relationship. If you're not sure, Kristi will advise based on the time of year and what will photograph best. Golden hour is almost always the right answer.
After your session, you'll receive a sneak peek within a week and your full gallery within four to six weeks — high-resolution images with printing rights, delivered via a private, shareable link.
Engagement sessions are included in The Everything Story wedding package and can be added to any other package. They can also be booked as standalone sessions.
Where We Can Shoot in Vancouver
Vancouver is genuinely one of the most beautiful places in the world to take engagement photos. The mountains, the water, the light in late summer and fall — it's almost unfair.
Jericho Beach is probably my most-requested location, and for good reason. The mountain backdrop, the dock, the open sky — golden hour there is something else. Stanley Park offers a completely different energy: old-growth forest, hidden clearings, the seawall with city views. For couples who prefer an urban feel, Gastown's brick lanes and warm lighting create something more editorial and moody.
If you want something quieter and away from the city, the North Shore mountains, the trails around Cypress, or Squamish are all on the table. Some of my favourite sessions have happened when a couple said "can we just go somewhere we actually like?" and we ended up somewhere I'd never shot before.
Wherever feels most like you — that's where we should go.
Engagement Session FAQ
How long is an engagement session?
Most sessions run 60 to 90 minutes. The first 20 minutes are warm-up — the best photos usually happen after that.
Do I need a professional hair and makeup artist?
Entirely up to you. Some couples go all out; others show up in their favourite jeans. What matters is that you feel like yourselves. Kristi will make you look great either way.
Can we bring our dog?
Yes. Enthusiastically yes. Just factor in a little extra time for the "perfect non-blurry dog" shot.
Is an engagement session included in my wedding package?
It's included in The Everything Story package. It can also be added to any other wedding package, or booked as a standalone session.
What if it rains?
Overcast and even light rain can produce beautiful, moody engagement photos. Kristi will advise on the morning of based on conditions — and always has covered indoor options up her sleeve if needed.
Ready to Book Your Vancouver Engagement Session?
Golden hour dates book fast — especially June through October. If you like the look of this and want to nail down a date, the next step is easy: fill in the form below and tell me a bit about the two of you. Where you want to shoot, when you're thinking, and how you feel about dogs photobombing your couple shots.
I'll get back to you quickly.
Leave us a message and we'll get back to you.
