Gastown Engagement Photos: Capturing the Essence of your Love with a Pre-Wedding Photoshoot
If you daydream about casual, easygoing, romantic engagement photos and you live in Vancouver, then you’ve gotta think about Gastown! It’s full of character, it’s got all kinds of interesting architecture, and it’s close to the water. Plus, there are dozens of cool restaurants and storefronts which serve double-duty: providing fuel, treats, and liquid courage for the shoot, and acting as beautiful backdrops for cute and cozy couple photography or a pre-wedding shoot!
Pauline and Vincent actually won their Gastown engagement photo session with me, just one week after getting engaged, and they’re the sweetest, most deserving couple I could imagine photographing! Enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at their pre-wedding photos -- I have no doubt it’ll get you thinking about your own!
FROM CAMP COUNSELLORS TO LIFELONG LOVES
Pauline and Vincent met volunteering at a summer camp in Squamish 8 years ago. They reconnected by chance at the airport when Vincent mistakenly thought she was there to pick him up with his friends! After so many years apart, Vincent wasn’t about to let Pauline slip away again. Even though he was only in town for a few days he asked her out for dinner, and eventually started long-distance dating. In 2018, he decided It was time to move home and finally be together for good!
WHEN YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW
I asked Vincent and Pauline when they knew that they’d found the one. Here’s what they had to say:
“I knew just a couple months after we reconnected that Pauline was the one. She was soft spoken, passionate about family, and there was just something about her that I knew was unforgettable. Life seems to make sense when I am with her and everyday she makes my heart feel full.”
Pauline didn’t have a single doubt, either. “Honestly,” she said, “I’m quite shy and always hesitant when entering a relationship with someone. But when Vince asked me out to dinner, there was a comfort in my heart that I never had with anyone else. Funnily enough, I documented when I fell in love with him to the day (April 2nd, 2018).”
I cannot get enough of these two lovebirds and their story which made their photography session even better!
THE PROPOSAL
Vincent hired videographers to follow him and Pauline around the whole day (discreetly, of course!). He took Pauline to their first-date dinner spot, then their church, and finally, to the place where they first said “I love you.”
“I felt every emotion in the world...I was absolutely excited, nervous but yet at the same time, so affirmed of my love for her and that I would do anything for her.”
Pauline has really great intuition, so she had a feeling something was up! But when the wedding proposal actually happened, she got totally lost in the moment. “It really felt like I had no idea what was going on and through all the tears, I knew that this is exactly where I wanted to be and that Vince is exactly who I saw myself to be with for the rest of my life!”
(Ok for reals, who’s cutting onions?! So. many. onions!)
I dare you to try clicking through their romantic Gastown engagement photos without swooning over how sweet these two are!
WHY GASTOWN, VANCOUVER IS PERFECT FOR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
As an experienced Vancouver engagement photographer, I love Gastown for engagement photos. There are so many photoshoot ideas, especially for couple photos. It’s one of the most unique and charming neighbourhoods in Vancouver, complete with cool architecture, cobblestones, ornate street lights, and tons of charming brick walls. It's almost like you're not in downtown Vancouver at all because the architecture looks so different.
BEST SPOTS FOR PHOTOS IN GASTOWN
Ooh, this is a tough one, because almost everywhere in Gastown has photoshoot locations perfect for a couples photoshoot or pre-wedding photoshoot. It really depends on the time of day, though! Gastown can get crowded, so scope out some of the quieter side streets. They don't have as many curious eyes watching during a shoot! The side streets off of Water are the ones I gravitate towards during "normal," busy times. Gastown photo shoots in the morning are great for a less busy option!
Insider Tip: Blood Alley is getting more popular now, but it’s still a somewhat secret, SUPER cute place to go for photos!
BEST TIMES OF DAY FOR GASTOWN ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
While I normally like shooting close to sunset, the alleys in Gastown can be narrow which limits the natural light you can get. So, I recommend switching things up and planning your session for early evening in the summer, or early afternoon in the winter.
GASTOWN ENGAGEMENT SESSION LOGISTICS
If you’re thinking about Gastown engagement photos before your wedding day, here’s everything you need to know:
Parking: First thing’s first, you gotta park! I usually park on Water Street between Main and Carrell, since I come from the east side, but I’ve also lucked out and found parking on Cordova. I have parked on Pender but if you do that,be careful-- especially at night. For an afternoon sesh though, you’d be totally okay.
Meeting Spots: I recommend meeting up at Gassy Jack because it's the easiest landmark to find. Well, other than the steam clock-- but it's way easier to find the person you’re waiting for at the less-crowded Gassy Jack!
Permits: The great thing about Gastown is that you don’t need any permits or special permissions to take photos outside, so roam free and pose to your heart’s content! If you decide to go inside any places though, I recommend asking permission in the moment (vs. in advance).
Where To Fuel Up: There are so many places in Gastown to grab a coffee, a snack, or a libation! Some of my faves are:
Blarney Stone (Great if you like Guinness, like I do!)
Bonus: Gastown Is Perfect for Date Night!
Gastown engagement photos and a date night in one? Yes, please! Get ready for a night of fun and romance in one of Vancouver's most exciting neighborhoods. Enjoy a delicious meal and make memories to last a lifetime by turning your engagement photo session into a memorable date night.
Do you dream of romantic, Gastown engagement photos?
...because I dream of taking them for you! Book a complimentary consultation & we can start to plan out your dreamy, love-filled engagement portraits together.
Recently engaged? Drop me a line, I’d love to chat about what you’re dreaming of for your day!