FORESTS OF VANCOUVER
1:1 PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
CAD $499 per day
50% Deposit to Book
1 - 4 Days
This is a rough outline of places that we would choose from based on factors such as weather, creek flow conditions and month. For any given trip I may shuffle things around to improve our chances at getting the best light and conditions! In terms of time, I'm budgeting anywhere from 6-8 hours per day. Or more if needed! Our goal will not simply be to cover ground, we will slow down for a different view of the forest while I teach you my approach to photography!
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Since we will be photographing waterfalls and canyons you may want to bring an extra pair of footwear (in addition to your hiking boots/shoes) that you don't mind getting wet, plus a small towel to dry your feet. Sandals will work in August and September, although you may want to combine them with neoprene socks for warmth. I can give additional gear recommendations if needed!
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In terms of camera gear, everything I teach is applicable from phones to the nicest modern cameras, but I do recommend having a camera with interchangeable lenses to get the most out of the workshop. If you do not have a camera let me know and I can bring one for you to use, and I'll teach you how to use it!
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If you want prime forest greens and higher water flow, anywhere from April to early June is typically the best. Some locations would be ideal combined together on the same day, for example Lynn Canyon and Nelson Canyon.
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Also included: transportation to/from locations via Uber with me if required.
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If you're familiar with the North Shore and have noticed an omission of certain locations, it's likely because I have deemed them too risky to bring clients from a safety point of view. Such locations include the upper reaches of Nelson Canyon, hiking/wading to the bottom of any of the two major waterfalls on Cypress Creek and the old growth forest near Wickenden Creek.
AVAILABLE LOCATIONS
Cypress Falls
Hiking difficulty: easy
Hiking distance: 3 km
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My favorite local canyon - I've spent countless hours here. Summer is typically quite good for taking photos from inside the canyon but there are plenty of accessible spots during early spring and early summer as well. Peak spring has the best chances for atmospheric conditions around the canyon in the form of light rays and rainbows, but due to high flow there is only one spot where we can safely enter the canyon itself. If you have waders there's a particularly stunning section shown in photos 1-3 that we can access in early spring if water levels aren't too crazy. During times of low flow we can access the section in photo 4 - it will look even better than when I shot it at medium flow!
Kennedy Falls & Whistler Creek
Hiking difficulty: intermediate
Hiking distance: 11 km
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Although the net elevation gain on this hike is only 150m, there is quite a bit of up and down going both ways, adding up to around 500m total. It is rated as intermediate, mostly because it can be quite muddy with a rough track and lots of deadfall. This hike will take us through some second growth forest, ranging from beautiful to unfortunately ravaged. Along the way to the waterfalls, we will visit two huge trees that are likely well over 700 years old. Due to their surroundings these trees aren't ideal for photography but they are always worth stopping to see. We will stop at a couple other points along the way that contain some very beautiful sections of forest! Our destination is a locally famous waterfall, plus a more secret waterfall in a mossy slot canyon. Due to this being primarily a destination hike, it is a lower priority location that I prefer to add onto workshops that are two or more days in length. If we're lucky for timing, there is a section that fills up with beautiful Pacific bleeding hearts!
Lynn Canyon
Hiking difficulty: easy
Hiking distance: 5 km
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Vancouver's famous canyon! This is a must for anyone visiting. We will view the canyon and creek from the suspension bridge and other viewpoints, but our focus will be more on photographing some intimate forest scenes. The canyon itself is not very accessible for photography. We will try to make sure we visit this on a weekday because it gets very busy on weekends.
Brothers Creek
Hiking difficulty: intermediate
Hiking distance: 8 km
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This is a lesser known area, but nonetheless one of my favorite places to hike and photograph the forest. At the height of the hike there's some beautiful forest, a small section of canyon and old growth trees. Depending on timing bunchberry and queen's cup may be in beautiful bloom. We can additionally make a relatively short detour to visit a huge 1100 year old Douglas fir. This area is particularly good for catching fog on rainy days, so if there's any of that in the forecast I may shuffle things around a bit so we can try to get some foggy goodness!
