An adventure photo session is as fun as it sounds. Really. Hiking up beautiful trails, reaching scenic viewpoints, exploring serene forests, paddling on crystal clear lakes, or wading into salty waters covered in sand – no adventure is out of the question. And I’m sharing my most coveted tips for how to prepare, plan, and enjoy these photoshoots here in British Columbia!

A married couple enjoys the view at top of hunter trail in mission, bc

Lucia and Justin’s adventure photo session is a great example of how to plan a day that is true to you. These two love birds are from the States, but had been living in Vancouver for four years. Lucia and Justin actually got married over Zoom (technology man!). They found out they’d be relocating to Switzerland shortly as well, so they decided on a photoshoot to commemorate this exciting time in their lives! Their gallery is a little ode to their time in the Pacific Northwest as they move into the next chapter of their lives. How sweet is that?!

After discussing which hikes might be best for what they were envisioning, we settled on a quick stop at Steelhead Falls and a hike on Hunter Trail in Mission, BC! Steelhead Falls happens to be one of my favourites in the lower mainland and gives all of those mystical PNW vibes! It’s not too far from the Hunter Trail so we stopped there first before heading to the trail!

Hunter Trail is actually an old logging road and it’s perfect for an adventure photo session because it’s only an hour in and an hour out! This road is actually accessible for ATVs and dirt-bikes as well, which would make for a killer adventure! Guess who has 3 dirt bikes too?? Sounds like you, me, and your partner could zoom in for a wild ride and unique photos. Just saying!

Okay okay, sorry I had to pitch it! Back to the hike. Hunter Trail has risen in popularity in recent years which means it can get crowded. That’s why I would always recommend (or rather insist) on choosing a weekday, especially in the summertime! There is one main viewpoint, so keep in mind, you’ll be sharing the area with others. Lucia and Justin brought along a hot drink to share together at the top while they soaked in the views! 10/10 adventure photo session with these two.

But what can you learn from their day? It went so well and I know that you might be wondering how to plan an adventure session of your very own. So here are my top tips to ensure a day full of fun, love, and adventure!

Planning an adventure photo session in British Columbia

First of all, with any adventure in the outdoors, remember to follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles as much as you can. They are fairly simple, and you’re probably following most of them already! Some of these suggestions will overlap with that list, but nonetheless it’s always a good reminder.

Pick a place or activity that means something.

Lucia and Justin wanted a place with water and mountain views to honour their time in the PNW! They also brought along some coffee to enjoy as they took in the views together.

So where will you choose? The key is to pick a place that suits you and your partner. Maybe you love lounging at a specific beach in the summer or your first date was a certain hike. Is there somewhere sentimental for you? Or is there an activity you love doing together? Perhaps you love paddle boarding so we’ll head to a lake or you had a picnic proposal so we throw a blanket down by a lookout so you can spend a moment together just doing what you love!

It will be different for everyone. Make the day yours.

2. Choose a difficulty that matches your comfort level.

This is mostly for hikes, but other outdoor adventures are included too! The adventure session is meant to be fun, not stressful or anxiety-inducing! Don’t be so focused on the views that you ignore your comfort level. Communicate with your photographer about what difficulty best suits you when exploring potential locations! Not every adventure possibility will be ideal for you and that’s okay.

3. Be prepared.

Golden, soft lighting for your photos usually means one of two things: sunrises or sunsets. This means that part of your adventure might take place after dark. This means needing headlamps, extra water, more food than you think you need, bear spray, extra chargers, and other useful things! Be honest with yourself – are you comfortable with hiking after dark? If not, it might mean shooting at mid-day, finding shorter options, or choosing a more popular hike so at least you won’t be alone in the dark!

4. Do your research.

For whatever location you choose, do your research! Head to park websites or other information resources like All Trails for hours, passes or permits needed, accessibility, reviews, wildlife sightings, and condition updates. You’ll never be too prepared. Make sure you cover your bases!

5. Consider the season.

As a general rule for BC, you can assume late-July to mid-September will have good conditions. Sometimes there are exceptions for natural disasters like floods or fires. So make sure to stay up to date on the area! In the shoulder season, conditions where you are may be vastly different at higher elevations. For example, Manning Park may appear to be open and accessible, but the road that leads to Alpine Meadows is closed until they plow it. That closure would throw a wrench in your plans for sure as Alpine Meadows is a highlight of the area.

6. Plan it on a weekday.

Personally, this is non-negotiable. Especially in the summertime. Don’t even try a weekend hike for an adventure photo session within 2 hours of Vancouver on a weekday! Popular spots like Mount Cheam, Elk Mountain, Mount Seymour and more are flooded with nature lovers every weekend, not to mention the ones with sun. If you must do a weekend, you’ll need to head further into the backcountry or away from the city. Otherwise, stick to the weekdays for a more enjoyable experience!

Lastly, HAPPY HIKING! Go get your adventure on. The best views are given to the ones who work for it. Whether that is in the physical manner or working through planning and preparation! Your adventure photo session will be magical as long as it’s tailored to you and your love! It doesn’t matter whether you are engaged, have been married for 10 years, or aren’t married at all. If you’re craving adventure, these are for YOU!

Keep scrolling to view Lucia and Justin’s sweet photoshoot. And if you’re searching for a bit of inspiration for your day, check out this adventure photo session with Anisa and Marty in Squamish!