The 11 Best Portrait Photographers in Vancouver

On the lookout for the top portrait photographers in Vancouver? Then you’ve come to the right place! As the largest online marketplace for hourly creative space rentals, Peerspace works with photographers daily, helping them secure the best spaces to unleash their creativity. So it’s fair to say we see lots of incredible portraiture work and wish to share our favorites with you.

Portrait photography can be whatever you want it to be — lifestyle sessions that document your passion for the outdoors, business headshots, an intimate peek into who people are at this moment, or whimsical art. And whatever result you’re looking for, these Vancouver portrait photographers will make it happen. Some are standouts for their authenticity, and others for their polish, but all have talent and creativity to spare. 

And if you’re looking for a new space for a professional photoshoot in Vancouver, check out Peerspace. We have hundreds of stylish and distinct venues in the city, and hundreds of thousands across North America overall. You can book any space you like by the hour and enjoy a space owned and hosted by a local creative like yourself. Now, let’s get back to celebrating some of Vancouver’s finest portrait photographers! Check out their work and link up with the one(s) that suit your personal style best.

1. Kate Whyte

For more than a decade, educator, Canon ambassador, and portrait artist Kate Whyte has delighted her clients with her work. Take one look at her work and you will know why — it is as close to perfection as it gets. In fact, she’s internationally recognized and published. Kate focuses on the features that make your face unique and turns it into art. Her style is minimalistic and editorial, timeless yet trendy. And we can’t get enough!

Kate is so dedicated to her art and helping other photographers that her website even includes resources like blogs, a PDF download on retouching, and a portal to submit your work to her for a professional critique!

2. Karolina Turek Photography

With over a decade of working with celebrities, Karolina Turek is one of the best headshot and portrait photographers in Vancouver. A glance through her portfolio shows you she is a pro in every sense of the word. Whether you’re a celebrity or a small business owner, Karolina can create a portrait that captures your personality and the attention of everyone who sees it.

She loves the human face, bringing out the beauty in each and every person she works with. She is also in complete control of her craft, creating the exact lighting situations she needs to enhance the mood of her portraits. Technically perfect and creative, portraiture truly doesn’t get much better than that. 

3. Dylaina Gollub Photography

Dylaina Gollub’s portfolio is a visual delight, thanks to the perfect tones, golden light, and people being completely themselves or fashionably styled in front of her lens. With her family and individual portraits, she has an eye for the moments when her subjects let their self-consciousness slip and let themselves be shown for who they are. In her fashion and branding photography, she presents you exactly how you want to be seen. Those two opposing styles are rarely seen in one photographer but her Dylaina is, absolutely rocking it! 

In Dylaina’s own words: “I’m all about capturing the adventure, the experience, and the real YOU. Raw and candid moments are my absolute favourite.” Luckily, they just happen to be ours, too.

4. Samantha Chan

As a Vancouver portrait photographer, Samantha blends fashion and lifestyle into her work for a portfolio that is glam and genuine in equal parts. An all-around creative rockstar — she also illustrates and does graphic design — her artistic side really shows in her photography. Samantha is also a graduate of Emily Carr University of Art + Design, with a degree in communication design. This makes her a natural creative who has learned a lot through her education and experience, all of which shows in her portfolio.

Samantha combines lifestyle, fashion, and headshot stylings, creating portraits that fit the personality of her subjects. In fact, she covers serious business sides, carefree playful sides, and everything in between. Her editing style adds just the right amount of polish, never too artificial or garish.

5. Kim Bellavance

Kim Bellavance is an incredibly talented Vancouver portrait photographer. She draws elements of the various kinds of portraits she makes, from fitness to branding to boudoir, together to create her signature style. Her experience with different kinds of lighting is also a major asset. She can make gorgeous photos in-studio, indoors at the gym (and let’s be honest, gym lighting is not known for its flattering effects), or in whatever light nature has to offer that day.

We also love how Kim describes herself: “It’s possible I was born with a camera in my hands … With my camera snugly tucked into me like an extension of my arm, it comes with me wherever I go. I unabashedly embrace love and am constantly framing candid moments of people, emotions, and life.” Her portfolio speaks for itself so be sure to check it out! 

6. Laura Shortt Photography

Laura Shortt is one of our favorite headshot photographers for her timeless, elegant aesthetic. She is the one to work with when you need great portraits but just don’t think you’re photogenic — her styling team, wardrobe closet, and years of posing and lighting experience are sure to wow you. She’s worked on dating profile shots, headshots to jumpstart your acting career, and glammed-out beauty sesh portraits alike. Whatever kind of portrait session you have in mind, Laura is sure to make you look your best!

Laura also appreciates the transformative ability a portrait session with her can create. “Whether you’re coming in for a glamour session, boudoir portraits, or business headshots for LinkedIn, by the end of your session you will have met yourself in all your beauty, strength, and power…” Sign us up!

7. Iris Chia

Expertly blending fine art and portrait photography, Iris Chia has a thoroughly modern style that will stand the test of time, after all, great photos of yourself never go out of style. She often shoots with a plain background to allow her subject to be the true focus and there is an element of play in her work. But Iris also loves props and special effects — think funky florals, glitter eyeliner, interesting shadows, and sun flare effects. Her portraits are for those who want to be a minimalist artistic masterpiece. 

In Iris’s own words: “For me, a great photograph is like magic. It provokes emotions that are both unique and universal, genuine and ethereal.” Expect a similar experience when you team up with her.

8. Marissa of MJ Photography

Marissa is an all-around rockstar Vancouver portrait photographer that aims to uplift the women around her and help them see their true beauty. Maybe your goal is creating the vision for your personal brand, celebrating your beauty in the boudoir, or simply capturing you as your boss babe self. No matter which it is, if you want to work with a photographer who is all about making you feel good about yourself while you look awesome, she’s the one! 

In fact, we absolutely adore Marissa’s mission. “All women are extraordinary and we deserve to be celebrated. So go ahead! Treat yourself, and at the same time, have stunning photographs of yourself that you and your loved ones can admire for years and years.”

9. Desiree Portraits

Desiree’s passion for photography shows up in her portraits — a blend of creative and authentic that is sure to delight all who sit in front of her lens. She captures the connection between the couples she photographs in a way that seems to fit her subjects — light and flirty for some, more smoldering for others. She also makes great branding portraits if you’re more interested in telling the story of yourself. Whatever you want your session to be, Desiree’s love of photography is sure to guide you into the best shots. 

In addition to being a portrait maestro, Desiree is also a noted wedding photographer who can help you with vendor recommendations! She puts her clients first, which is unsurprising when you view her portfolio and see all the genuinely happy and relaxed faces it contains.

10. Valerie Gabrielle Photography

Valerie creates lifestyle portraits and art. With her, they are one and the same. Capturing her subjects doing the things they love, being who they really are is what makes her work feel authentic. She also has a case of wanderlust and her style shows that — part travel photography, part portraiture, and all real.

The pastel toning in her work fits the city and the landscapes around it so well. We most love the easy-going spirit that unites her portraits and we think you will too, check her out! 

11. Mike Wu

Bonus: Charlotte Gamache

We couldn’t leave Charlotte Gamache off of a list of the top portrait photographers in Vancouver! She happens to be one of the best newborn and maternity photographers around, with a portfolio bursting with sweet and beautiful images celebrating the joys of new life. Note that her studio is about a 50 minute drive from Vancouver in Maple Ridge. But to us, she is worth the drive! Alternatively, you can ask her to join you in a stunning Peerspace studio in the city for your portrait shoot. Either way, you will find that she is a consummate professional with an amazing eye.

Portrait photographers in Vancouver rely on Peerspace for unique venues

We hope you enjoyed this list of the best portrait photographers in Vancouver as much as we enjoyed making it! As you can see, Vancouver is a west coast hub for all things creative. So little surprise there is so much photographic talent here.

And if you’re a professional photographer looking for new photographic stomping grounds, be sure to check out Peerspace. We’re the largest event rental platform in North America and beyond. With hundreds of rentals in Vancouver alone, you’ll be sure to find the perfect studio, mansion, boathouse, loft, gallery, or speakeasy that enchants your creative side.

Find unique production venues in Vancouver on Peerspace