Our Top Newborn, Family and Portrait Photographers in Vancouver list highlights photographers who demonstrate a high calibre of professionalism and talent and specialize in maternity, newborn or family photography.

We connected with Rebecca about her family photography work.

Top Family Photographers, a Q&A with Rebecca Sehn Photography

1. Where are your favorite locations to shoot?

I photograph families all over the world, but for Vancouver Mom, I’ll stick to my favorite locations for family photos in Greater Vancouver:

–Jericho Beach: Jericho Beach is so quintessentially Vancouver. I love the mix of sand and greenery. It can get a bit busy sometimes, so my favorite time to photograph families there is a weekday summer evening, close to sunset.

–West Vancouver: The rocky coast of West Vancouver is stunning! I always suggest it to families who are visiting Vancouver on holidays, for a very ‘West Coast’ look to remember their time here by.

–Hycroft Manor: Hycroft is so unique that I can’t skip it on my list of top spots—the climbing ivy and hidden rose garden are straight out of an English manor, right in the heart of the city. If you’re looking for a European background without the challenge of a long-haul flight with children, this is your spot.

– Pitt or Alouette Lake: Pitt Meadows is a bit of a journey from the city (about an hour’s drive), but the mountainscape is so breathtaking; it’s absolutely worth it.

– Bonus– Tofino!: Obviously this one is a bit of a journey, but anyone who’s been to Tofino knows how special it is. My favorite time to photograph on the beach there is at low tide early in the morning. I can’t really put words to it, other than to say it’s absolutely magical.

2. Can you describe your approach to directing and posing/photographing candid moments as a family photographer?

My goal is to create a portfolio for each family that is a mix of ‘establishing landscape,’ relaxed ‘looking at camera’ portraits, and moving/candid photographs. The candid photographs are the most requested, and are the result of both direction and simply allowing the family to play, depending on each family’s comfort
level in front of the camera. I call my method of photographing portraits ‘directed-candid,’ something I’ve honed over nearly two decades of working with hundreds of families.

3. What’s your favorite memory from a family photo session, and why did it stand out to you?

I have so many! The memories that really stand out have been with families who truly embrace the process; they are there to have fun, enjoy each other, and create something beautiful with me. Special or new locations always stand out too—Tofino at dawn, a château in the Loire Valley, the streets of Sheung Wan in Hong Kong, the rolling hills of the English Cotswolds, or motherhood portraits in a very old ballhaus in Berlin.

4. How did you get started in family photography, and what inspires your work with families and children?

I’ve always felt a natural connection with children and very much enjoy the challenge of working with them. I’ve been photographing families since long before I became a mother, but now that I have four children of my own, I find the work I do even more meaningful. When it comes to my work, I always aim to see and portray each family through rose-colored glasses, showing them as they would be at their most beautiful, or on their best, most happy day together. I think this is what really resonates with my clients when they see my work – everyone longs to be shown themselves in this way – perhaps the way their loved ones see them.

To Book a photoshoot and to get to know Rebecca Sehn: www.rebeccasehn.com

This post is sponsored by Rebecca Sehn Photography