Why you need Engamement Photos • Vancouver Island

Engagement sessions are an exciting and meaningful part of your elopement journey, and if you’re planning to elope on Vancouver Island, the stunning backdrop makes this even more special. But beyond the beautiful landscapes, there are countless reasons why hiring a professional photographer for your engagement session is an investment that will enhance your entire experience, not just in the moment, but for years to come. From your engagement session, to the moment you’re reciting your vows to each other — I want to capture the magic of these moments and bottle them for you so you can look back on these milestones for the rest of your lives.

If you’re on the fence about whether or not to book a photographer for your engagement session, here's why it's such a valuable choice:

1. Capture the Magic of Your Love Story

Your engagement session is a celebration of your relationship, your love story, and this exciting chapter in your life. Having a photographer capture this moment allows you to preserve the raw, emotional connection between you and your partner.

As you laugh, hold hands, and share intimate moments in one of the most beautiful places on Earth—whether it's a misty forest, rugged coastline, or charming small town—your photographer will document these candid, authentic moments.

A professional photographer knows how to capture the essence of your relationship, telling the story of your love in ways that will remind you of the magic every time you look at the photos.

2. Get Comfortable in Front of the Camera

Many couples feel nervous or awkward in front of the camera, and that’s perfectly normal. But the engagement session is the perfect opportunity to get comfortable being photographed before the big day.

When you work with a professional photographer, you'll receive gentle guidance on how to pose naturally, where to look, and how to relax. This will help you feel more at ease during your elopement day photos, where you’ll be in the spotlight and want to look and feel your best.

As an experienced photographer, I will coach you through the session, giving you helpful tips to create authentic, flattering, candid images while making sure you feel comfortable and confident.

3. Create Stunning Photos in a Dreamy Location

Vancouver Island is a photographer’s dream, with its breathtaking beaches, towering forests, and dramatic mountain ranges. Whether you’re looking for coastal views, quiet lakesides, or rugged terrain, this island offers some of the most stunning locations for engagement photos.

By hiring a photographer who knows the local landscape, you’ll have access to hidden gems and iconic spots that will elevate your photos. Imagine a serene beach at sunset, or a walk through moss-covered trees in an old-growth forest. The natural beauty of Vancouver Island will give you the most incredible backdrop for your engagement photos, which will be forever tied to the memories you made there.

Plus, a local photographer can help you pick the best locations, times of day for lighting, and the best seasons for shooting, ensuring that your engagement photos are truly one-of-a-kind.

4. Get Professional-Quality Photos

Sure, you can ask a friend or family member to take your engagement photos, but there’s a world of difference between snapshots and professionally crafted images. A professional photographer brings years of experience, high-quality equipment, and a keen eye for detail to every shoot.

Here’s what you can expect from a professional photographer:

• Lighting Expertise: Whether shooting in natural light or with added flash, a photographer knows how to make the most of lighting conditions, which can make or break a photo.

• Composition Skills: A professional knows how to frame the shot, use depth and angles creatively, and avoid distractions, ensuring your photos are as visually striking as they are meaningful.

• Post-Processing: After your session, a skilled photographer will edit your photos to enhance their colors, sharpness, and overall look, giving you polished, magazine-worthy images.

Your engagement photos deserve to be more than just a quick snap—they should be beautiful, timeless images that you’ll cherish forever. And hiring a professional ensures that you get that quality and attention to detail.

5. Build Trust with Your Photographer Before the Wedding

Your engagement session offers a unique chance to get to know your photographer and develop a relationship before your wedding day. It’s a great opportunity to experience how your photographer works, understand their style, and see how they make you feel during a photoshoot.

The more comfortable you feel with your photographer before the wedding, the smoother the wedding day photos will go. You’ll already have an established rapport, know how they direct you during a shoot, and have a better understanding of their style and approach.

Additionally, your photographer can help you with any last-minute ideas for the wedding, giving you confidence in their ability to capture the big day just the way you envision.

6. Create Lasting Memories That You’ll Treasure Forever

Your engagement photos are not only for your wedding website, invitations, or save-the-dates. They are also cherished mementos that will last long after your wedding day. You’ll look back at them in the years to come, and they’ll bring you right back to the emotions, excitement, and love you felt during that special time.

In addition to framed prints in your home, your engagement photos can be used in your elopement album, on thank-you cards, or even as part of a slideshow if you are having a reception at a later date. They are a tangible reminder of the beginning of your journey together, and investing in professional photos means you’ll have beautiful images to preserve those memories forever.

7. Practice for your Elopement Day

The engagement session is essentially a “rehearsal” for your elopement day photos. You get to see how you both look in photos, how you interact naturally, and how your photographer handles the session. This practice run helps you both feel more confident when it’s time for the big day.

When you hire a photographer for your engagement session, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to perfect the dynamics, movements, and poses that will translate into better wedding photos. The session allows you to learn how to interact with your partner in front of the camera in a way that feels comfortable and authentic, setting the stage for a more relaxed and enjoyable wedding day experience.

8. Celebrate Your Love in a Fun, Stress-Free Way

At the end of the day, your engagement session should be a fun and enjoyable experience that celebrates your love for one another. By hiring a professional photographer, you can rest easy knowing that the entire process will be managed seamlessly—from planning the shoot to getting the photos you’ve always dreamed of.

Engagement sessions are not about posing and looking perfect; they’re about sharing a joyful moment with your partner and capturing the love you feel. A photographer who knows how to make you laugh, relax, and just be yourselves will turn your engagement session into an unforgettable experience.

My Final Thoughts…

Booking a photographer for your engagement session on Vancouver Island is more than just a chance to get beautiful pictures—it’s an opportunity to create lasting memories, get comfortable in front of the camera, and have a professional guide you through the process.

From the stunning scenery to the authentic moments you’ll share with your partner, your engagement session will be a celebration of your love—and it deserves to be captured in a way that reflects that beauty and joy.

If you're ready to make your engagement session as memorable as your love story, I’d love to help! Let's connect and start planning your dream engagement photoshoot on Vancouver Island.

Capture the moments before your I do’s. It is all a part of your love story and worth celebrating! When you book an elopement with me, you can save on your engagement session & I’ll help you capture both moments exactly the way you dreamed them to be!

How to Elope on Vancouver Island

… in four simple steps!

So you have just made the decision to elope on Vancouver Island and are now unsure of where to start with planning?! Does the whole process just feel daunting and overwhelming?! Well you have found your way to the right place! The place where it is our number one goal to ease your stresses and keep the magic alive.

We know your elopement day is one of the biggest and most exciting days in your life and we honor and respect that. We want you to be able to enjoy this process while giving you the reins, or we are professionals at taking over at your request! We know that this day is 100% about you and your partner, and we listen in detail, while getting to know the two of you throughout the entire process.

Are you ready to explore if eloping on Vancouver Island is right for you and your partner? We don’t blame you. With rising costs all around these days, it’s no surprise more and more couples are opting to elope (aside from the house-down-payment-sized cost of course). On top of that, the stress in and of itself of planning your biggest day can be trying!  So many opinions, budgets, decisions to consider and people to please (sigh). You get one wedding day - so why not do it 100% your way in 4 easy steps: 

Step 1: Reach out to our amazing team through our website.

Step 2: Meet-and-greet via Zoom with our team who can answer any and all questions you may have. Plus it is a good time to hear more about us to make sure we are the right fit for your elopement experience!

Step 3: Complete our questionnaire and select your day of add-ons and exclusive vendors. We will then send you a personalized all-in quote for your review.

Step 4: If you are ready to book we will send you your contract within 24 hours.   Sign away, pay your retainer and GET EXCITED - you just booked your elopement :) 

Once you are all booked in, is where we take control and begin bringing your dream to life. We coordinate all your vendors and dive into indepth location scouting based on your preferences for the most magical and intimate spot… but don’t worry, we keep you updated throughout the process as to keep you informed.

We make this process sound simple and seamless… because that is how we want you to feel when you book with us. Our number one goal is curating a memorable and stress-free experience for you and your partner to remember forever!

Written by Anna Zagol

VENDORS:

Photography Elyse Anna Photography

Planning Vancouver Island Elopement

Florals Willow and Orchid

Hair Boheme Hair Design Studio

Makeup Kellsie Bain Makeup

Celebrant Amanda Tarling

Smith Lake Farm Elopement

COMOX VALLEY, BC

Beneath the trees, a charming glamping site overlooking the lake set the stage for Natalie and Harry’s beautiful and heartfelt elopement ceremony at Smith Lake Farms in picturesque Comox Valley. A beautifully crafted floral arbor stood tall beneath the shaded site in the warm June sun with nothing but the sound of the wind and occasional bellowing bullfrogs of the nearby lake.

With only their two children present and the soulful "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding playing after their first kiss, Natalie & Harry’s elopement was a true intimate celebration of the special love this little family shared. There were many special moments of laughter, heartfelt vows and a few tears shed by all those present (including us!), each one emphasizing the couple's unwavering love for each other. Their added beautiful gesture of presenting cedar roses to their children during their ceremony thoughtfully symbolized their commitment to growing together as a family.

Natalie and Harry’s elopement was a true honor to be a part of, reminding us of the inherent significant of the work we are so passionate about and LOVE to do! On that day, we were reminded of the joy and purpose in curating such magical moments for couples and their families as they embark on their journey as a married couple from that day forward. We extend our warmest wishes to Natalie and Harry as they start their forever together! 

VENDORS

• Venue: Smith Lake Farm

• Planning: Vancouver Island Elopement

• Photography: Elyse Anna Photography

• Celebrant: Celebrations By Sherri

• Hair and Makeup: Sol Beauty Co

• Florals: Wild Bee Florals

• Arbor: From the West Decor

• Vow Books: Olive and Ella Calligraphy

Written by Anna Zagol