Liam AndersonNo one likes paying for photos that come out looking like a toddler took them—blurry, out of focus, or worse, too zoomed in.
I learned the hard way that having a quality photographer is worth the splurge. Years ago, I tried saving a few bucks on corporate headshots and hired a photographer whose website looked decent enough.
But when I arrived at their studio to take the photos, the lighting was unflattering, and my headshots ended up with a distracting shadow that made it look like I had a second, smaller head.
That less-than-stellar experience is exactly why I recruited the rest of the Waterview Vancouver writing team to help me find the best photographers in town.
So, here are the ones who’ll take pictures of you that you’ll actually want to keep.
How much does it cost to hire a photographer in Vancouver?
It costs at least 100 CAD per hour to hire a photographer in Vancouver.
This cost is just an estimate. The price will vary depending on the photographer, photography sessions, and more.
1. Tilly Nelson Photography
Address: 10-941 East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC
Contact Details:
- [email protected]
- +1 (236) 818 7225
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Website: https://www.tillynelson.com/
Tilly Nelson is a talented photographer based in Vancouver, Toronto, and London, specializing in capturing authentic and joyful moments. She works with both children and adults, creating images that feel natural and inclusive.
Her approach centers on empathy and connection, allowing subjects to feel comfortable in front of the camera. This makes her work stand out for its ability to tell real stories rather than staged moments.
Tilly has earned international recognition through awards like the Graphis Silver Awards and official selections in the International Photography Awards. Her work has also been exhibited in solo shows and featured in top publications.
She collaborates with a diverse range of clients, from major brands like Lululemon Studio to nonprofits such as BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Her photography supports projects that amplify underrepresented voices and champion inclusion.
Clients praise her patience, creativity, and skill at capturing emotions that resonate deeply. Each session is designed to be collaborative, resulting in images that are both memorable and meaningful.
Her portfolio spans fashion, lifestyle, portraits, and editorial photography, consistently demonstrating high-quality composition and storytelling. Tilly’s sessions are considered more than photos—they are experiences that capture personality and essence.
With coverage in media outlets including CBC, Global News, and Greenpeace, Tilly’s photography reaches wide audiences while maintaining a human-centered approach. Her dedication to authenticity makes her a standout choice for anyone seeking meaningful photography.
Highly recommend
“I recently worked with Tilly for a photoshoot for my children’s shoe brand and I have to applaud her for being outstanding in her ability to produce the highest quality of work, her experience in working with children and coordinating with parents and such a large group of individuals on set, and the amount of genuine care and thought she put into making this project a success. I came to her as a first time brand owner who has never done a photoshoot or worked with models, and she was able to hold my hand on every step of the way and truly put the needs of my very small business first. I’d highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a trustworthy, open-minded photographer with impeccable work ethics who puts her heart into everything she does. Looking forward to booking her again for future shoots!”
– Annie Chen
Patience and dedication
“I had the privilege of working with Tilly recently, and I can confidently say that her work shines through in every image she creates. Tilly’s ability to connect on a deeper level is truly remarkable. The empathy she brings to her work allows her to capture not just moments, but emotions and stories. It’s as if she has an innate understanding of the people and scenes she photographs. She masterfully creates a comfortable space where moments unfold naturally. Her patience and dedication to allowing the perfect shot to manifest is a testament to her commitment to her craft. In a world flooded with visuals, Tilly’s work is a breath of fresh air. It’s not just photography; it’s a journey, an experience, and an exploration of stories waiting to be told. Thank you, Tilly, for sharing your vision and creating images that resonate deeply.”
– Carla Castro
2. Pear Tree Photography
Address: 938 Howe St
Contact Details: +1 604-318-5718
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Website: https://www.peartreephotography.ca/
Pear Tree Photography is awesome for corporate events, portraits, weddings, and more. But we love that they have a premium photobooth. We’ve seen tons of hilarious photos of people using their props.
Many people told us that the photobooth was one of their favourite parts of their events because of the unlimited prints and all the fun props.
Others who used Pear Tree Photography for their company parties were impressed with how they captured the evening. We like that the photographers weren’t intrusive at all while still managing to get fantastic candid shots.
And we loved all the vivid colours and the amazing balance of lighting and shadows in all their photos we saw in their online gallery. We also like how they capture intimate moments without making it feel overly posed or staged.
The only complaint we’ve heard is that when some first reached out to Pear Tree Photography to inquire about their services, it took a week before they heard back. This made some people a little anxious as they were on a tight timeline for booking.
One of the best photoshoot experiences I have had
“Working with Pear Tree Photography was one of the best photoshoot experiences I have had to date! It’s always hard organising things from a foreign country but in the lead up, Irene was so patient and informative and the entire booking process was so seamless. When it came to our engagement shoot day, David was professional, punctual and maintained high communication. It was so much fun I really wish I could do it over and over again! Lastly, what I was blown away by was the efficiency of delivering our photos (almost 600 edits in 2 days – bizarre right!!) and this was all due to David’s hard work and dedication. Bless!! Keep up the excellent work and your mighty greatness and I look forward to working with you again when we visit Canada in the summertime!!”
–Anita Chang, Google Reviews
Pear Tree Photography is one of my top 2 favorites
“People skills and flexibility makes a HUGE difference.I work with a lot photographers as part of my job… Pear Tree Photography is one of my top 2 favorites to have worked with. Their skills is unquestionable, as you can see from their portfolio (low-light, action, romance etc etc etc). And totally on the ball during the planning phases. I don’t think they missed a shot for our wedding. They were easy-going, accommodating, and have a good sense of humor. They know exactly how to address emotional guests.”
–Derek L, Google Reviews
3. My City Photos
Address: 116 W 43rd Ave
Contact Details: +1 604-828-6313
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Website: https://www.mycityphotos.ca/
We love how LL of My City Photos has a fantastic welcome package that is full of helpful tips on everything from what to wear to how to prepare your kids for the photo session.
Several people who did a newborn session raved about the tips on how to keep the baby comfortable and sleepy.
We also like how she has a variety of packages available, from the seasonal “Cherry Blossom Mini” (photoshoot with cherry blossoms) to her “Golden Hour” package. We like how the lighting during that time of day makes the photos look absolutely stunning.
Families who chose her “Golden Hour” package raved about how patient LL was and how she knew exactly how to engage with their children to get genuine smiles and laughs out of them.
We also loved the high-quality editing. In every photo we saw, we liked how they looked natural but still polished. The colours were vibrant, and the skin tones looked great.
The only thing we weren’t big fans of was the rushed pre-session consultations. Some told us they would have appreciated a bit more time to discuss specific shot ideas and locations.
Incredibly responsive and accommodating
“A Fantastic Family Photographer!
We’ve been working with Laura Lee for a number of years to capture our family moments, and I can confidently say that our experience was nothing short of exceptional. She is incredibly responsive and accommodating and just has a natural ability to connect with kids and teens alike! We have a stunning collection of memories thanks to LL 🙂 I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented family photographer.”
–Serena D, Google Reviews
Offers reasonably priced packages
“Laura Lee is a gift! Professional and engaging, ability to quickly build rapport, offers reasonably priced packages, and makes booking with her easy. We’ve done annual family photos with her since 2017. She makes us feel at ease and important, and invites our expressions of love and togetherness to shine. We look forward to our sessions with her every year! 100% recommend. She is a joy to work with.”
–Jocelyn Wagner, Google Reviews
4. SWEET DREAMS PHOTOGRAPHY
Contact Details: +1 778-814-9022
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Website:https://www.sweetdreamsphotostudio.com/
Karen of Sweet Dreams Photography captures that intimate first birthday of your toddler in a fun way for everyone. We love her creative cake smash photo shoots. It’s just as it sounds—photos of your child eating cake.
We like how Karen uses plenty of adorable props to capture your child’s attention, and she’s great at guiding you on how to position your kid and the cake to get the best shots.
We also appreciate the convenience of her “At Your Home sessions. Families
told us it was so much easier having Karen come to them rather than packing up and heading to a studio.
During these sessions, we like how gentle and patient Karen is with children, taking breaks when needed and ensuring they are comfortable throughout the session.
We also like Karen’s variety of photoshoot styles. Besides family shoots and newborns, she does couples, events, maternity, and more. We love how in all of her couples pictures she captures their romantic dynamic and the emotions of the moment.
However, when it came to outdoor location sessions, while the photos came out lovely, people told us Karen had limited suggestions and ideas outside of basic mountain and grassy lawn shots.
Even captured the rare smiles of our toddler
“We were searching for a photographer specializing on kids and families and ran across Karen’s portfolio. We were impressed by the reviews so we went with her for our fall photoshoot. It was great working with Karen! She was very patient with our two kids, and didn’t make us feel rushed. She spent time to get to know us which made our kids comfortable during the shoot. She was able to take beautiful photos of us and even captured the rare smiles of our toddler! It was impressive! We were so happy with her work that we hired her to capture our kids’ birthday celebration as well! Definitely recommending Karen if you’re looking for a family photographer! Thank you again for your amazing work! :)”
–Grace, Google Reviews
Manages to bring laughter, enjoyment and a sense of ease during the whole session
“My fiance and I are completely happy with our engagement photos! It was totally worth going to Karen for many reasons. Her attention to detail, the way we didn’t feel rushed at all and the professionalism she holds but still manages to bring laughter, enjoyment and a sense of ease during the whole session. Even choosing our photos and package didn’t feel pressure. We need more people like her in any profession, and I’m a firm believer that if you enjoy what you do, your work will show it. Thank you Karen for making you such an easy choice. You’re amazing and will definitely recommend you.”
–Chris Valladoid, Google Reviews
5. Simon Rochfort Photography
Address: 525 Seymour St Unit 205
Contact Details: +1 778-893-7178
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Website: https://www.simonrochfortphoto.com/
Simon Rochfort Photography is awesome if you need a good corporate headshot photographer.
We love how Simon makes things convenient and comes set up on-site at the office. They have a standard grey and white backdrop, but some companies were hoping for a little more variety or the option to use a different color to align with their company brand.
Still, companies appreciated the efficient setup and raved about getting their headshots done in just a few hours, minimizing disruption to their workday.
Many people were pleasantly surprised by how Simon had a way of making them feel at ease in front of the camera. We love the way he gives clear and easy-to-follow directions on posing and how to look natural.
We also appreciate that he offers a hair & makeup stylist to help all their clients feel a bit more polished and confident for their photos.
Many people took advantage of this and told us the stylist was efficient and did a great job of enhancing everyone’s natural features without making them look overly made-up.
He made the process very easy
“Simon took some of my very first head shots. It was absolutely wonderful to work with him, as a beginner. He made the process very easy and provided me with some great photos. I used for years! Would definitely recommend him!”
–Dominic Dobrzensky, Google Reviews
The photos were great and he let me guide which shots I wanted
“Simon was super friendly and made me feel at ease in front of the camera. The photos were great and he let me guide which shots I wanted to use. I would definitely return and would recommend his services to anyone looking for headshots! Thanks Simon :)”
–Beth Stulen, Google Reviews
