The Best Family Photo Locations in Nanaimo
If you’re looking for where to take family photos in Nanaimo, you’re in the right place. As a born and raised Nanaimo-ite and a family photographer since 2011, I’ve spent years exploring beaches, forests, and hidden gems across Vancouver Island to find the most beautiful, family-friendly and also mobility friendly locations for photos.
Whether you're planning updated family portraits, visiting on vacation, or just want a relaxed session with your kids, these locations offer the best combination of scenery, accessibility, and natural light.
Finding the perfect spot and offering less popular and unique locations in Nanaimo and the surrounding towns, is one thing I pride myself on in trying to create a memorable, personal experience for your family photo session with me.
I want to share a few of my favourite spots, and hopefully inspire you to book a portrait session with me
When you are trying to plan the perfect surprise proposal in a hidden spot, or a personal maternity session away from the busiest beaches, I have scouted some great options for you, some of which are just a short drive from town.
If you are here on Vancouver Island for your family vacation and looking for group photos, I specialize in fun filled big family group portraits at the beach.
These are the top requested family and wedding photo locations in the Nanaimo area:
Neck Point
Bowen Park
Piper’s Lagoon
Westwood Lake
Sugarloaf Mountain
Rathtrevor Provincial Park
Englishman River Falls
Parksville Beach
Linley Valley Trails
Jack Point Park
Now that you know the best ones, let’s chat about your photo ideas, and I might recommend a spot that is a hidden gem for a more private or personalized session, or some unique places that have stunning nature features such as:
wildflowers
waterfalls
incredible sandstone rock formations
the best big, character trees
farms & rustic views
short hikes to mountain tops
stunning hidden gem beaches
beaches facing the sunset views
a private spot for a surprise proposal
Ideal paddleboarding launch spots
Unique urban landscapes and colorful backgrounds
covered areas for rainy moments
swimming spots in rivers and the ocean
Neck Point Park offers the best variety of backgrounds, colour and light for your family photos all year round and at any time of the day.
Neck Point Park is easily the most popular family photo location in Nanaimo—and for good reason.
You get a little bit of everything here:
Ocean views and rocky shoreline
A huge variety of beaches and backdrops with the water, fields and trees
Easy trails for strollers and walking , though with a hill
Fall Colours, open fields, wildflowers and grasses
Forest trails with soft, filtered light
Stunning golden hour sunsets and lovely morning light through the trees
This variety means we have endless options for backgrounds to capture just about any style of photos you are hoping for.
Best for: sunset sessions, variety, adventurous families, big family groups
Keep in mind: some hills and stairs, and it can get very busy
Afternoon and evening light is really pretty here, which is why it is the most popular location for photos
Neck point beaches are mostly rocky and unique
There are so many unique trees at Neck Point Park for ideal family photos
Bowen Park Spring Garden Photos & Waterfall Photos
Bowen Park is one of Nanaimo’s most versatile locations, especially for families with young kids.
It offers:
Easy walking paths and fun things for kids including bridges and the duck pond (great for strollers)
A waterfall backdrop
Lush forest and seasonal colour
Open spaces for kids to play
This is a perfect choice if you want a relaxed, low-stress session with lots of movement and exploration.
Best for: toddlers, stroller-friendly sessions, big groups, fall colors, shaded summer sessions
Bonus: beautiful in every season especially winter
Bowen Park Waterfall maternity photos in Nanaimo
A beautiful family portrait spot in the Rhododendron Garden at Bowen Park
Pipers Lagoon – Coastal Views & Easy Walking Path for Sunset
If you’re dreaming of classic West Coast photos, Pipers Lagoon has a great mix of it all.
This location features:
Expansive ocean views on both sides of the mobility-friendly path
Driftwood and easy pebble beach for a playful stroll along the ocean
Open golden grassy fields with evening light
Unique rocky cliffs and iconic trees at the far end of the beach
It’s especially beautiful for families who don’t want to venture far with littles ones as it’s mostly flat
Best for: easy family sessions, maternity and couples sessions at Golden Hour
The mix of beach, rock, and coastal forest makes it one of Nanaimo’s most visually dynamic locations though it’s also a very popular spot and parking can be an issue.
Pipers Lagoon offers a lot of great driftwood spots for family photos
Pipers Lagoon is a favourite summer destination for romantic and playful family photos and getting right IN the ocean
Sugarloaf Mountain Nanaimo
This rocky mountaintop viewpoint overlooks Departure Bay Beach and neighbourhood, and faces Mount Benson, so you get two Nanaimo landscape views in one.
This mini hike is always beautiful if you don’t mind the stairs, and a bit of wind. It’s one of the most easy access viewpoints in Nanaimo for any family photos, even maternity, and has great sunset views. I hiked up here twice when 8 months pregnant, you can do it too! Ideal for golden hour and couples sessions.
This mountain viewpoint location is ideal for:
Adventurous families with confident kids and teens and pets
couples sessions or exciting announcements with champagne popping fun
Glowing family maternity moments at sunset
Hanging out to enjoy the views after our photo session
Not mobility friendly. Requires a lot of stairs and uneven rocks to scramble over.
Catching the golden hour sunset from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain in Nanaimo
Beautiful 360 degree views and golden colours throughout Sugarloaf Mountain makes it an ideal photo location in Nanaimo if you don’t mind the short hike up.
Westwood Lake – Easy Access & Mountain Backdrop
Westwood Lake is a great balance between accessibility and scenery.
It offers:
Wide walking paths and mobility accessible new boardwalks.
Lake views and big forest trails
Gorgeous hilltop facing mount benson for sunset portraits
Great swimming and paddleboarding playful vacation or couples portraits
A great variety of natural backdrops and a new mural wall shelter to provide a little cover on a rainy day along with the big trees offering some rain shelter
It’s a great option for larger family groups or sessions in the fall, winter and spring BUT it is not ideal for late spring through summer due to it being a hot swimming spot with impossible parking.
Westwood Lake trails and mountain views at sunset for this Couple’s portrait session
Spring Flower Fields
FLOWER SEASON the blooms start in March with the cherry blossoms, then the yellow wild spring bulbs in April, followed by daisies, foxgloves, rhododendrons and seaside wildflowers for May and June.
After the cherry blossoms start, there’s the Rhododendron Garden at Bowen Park, and then the daisy and wildflower fields around the end of May and early June. I am always super excited for sessions in the blossoms and try to get my own family out in these places during the spring blooms.
Nanaimo Spring Wildflower sessions are ideal for
Mother’s Day
Playful kids and pets
Easy sessions with little walking
Grads and Vibrant personal portraits
Dancing in the 6ft tall foxglove blooms
April flowers at Cedarlea Farms
Spring flowers at Cedearlea Farms
Nanoose Bay Beaches
There are several small parks in Nanoose Bay that have beautiful scenic backdrops and often great sunset views.
These locations are special because they are not well known, so I won’t tag them here but you can get ideas of the viewpoints with the photos below.
These locations are ideal for:
Private moments such as proposals and maternity sessions
Getting in the ocean
The most unique scenic backgrounds for one of a kind photos
Sunset Golden Light
Discovering somewhere new in your own backyard
Note: many of these are not ideal for mobility concerns as they are not as easy to access and have uneven footing, hills or slippery rocks
Nanoose is a 15 minute drive from North Nanaimo or 10-15 minutes from most Parksville locations.
Nanoose Bay Sunset maternity photos on a secluded rocky beach
This unique small beach in Nanoose is best for low tide, sunset and playful couples and kids who are willing to climb on a few fun rock formations (see next photo)
These unique rock pillar formations in Nanoose make this spot one of my favourite photo locations - when the tide is right for this hidden gem.
Beachcomber Park in Nanoose is a favourite spot to get INTO the water for sunset fun with two beaches and great rock formations
The sandstone rocks are ideal for a warm sunset viewpoint at Beachcomber
This Nanoose swimming hole is a popular spot but at the right time it also has some gorgeous sandstone white rocks and blue water for portraits, and beautiful tree lined trails.
This shady beach requires a little scrambling to get over the logs and bumpy rocks but the black rocks and big forest makes for a dramatic west coast background and a popular spot for wedding portraits at Moorecroft Park
The best BIG TREE locations for family photos around Nanaimo
Finding the biggest and best trees is one of the most iconic things you can do when you explore the island.
Many of the parks that make memorable photos, and wow moments as your family sees these giants, or trees you can climb, or the twisted bark of arbutus and gary oak trees that look like they came from a Dr Seuss book.
If big trees are what you are hoping for, I have a few great spots we can use in Nanaimo and surrounding parks like Little Qualicum Falls, Englishman River Falls and Colliery Dam.
Forest Sessions are great for
Exploring with kids
Mid-day and morning sessions when the light is bright
Rainy days as the colours are more vibrant
Vacation photos with your family
A Quiet Proposal
Smaller family groups
A few iconic tree viewpoints around the Nanaimo area to explore including Beachcomber, Colliery Dam, Invermere Beach and Rathtrevor Provincial Park
Top Bridge Park in Parksville is an incredible blend of unique rocks, big forest trails and gorgeous clear waters of the Englishman River
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is one of the best locations for endless beach, easy trails and great trees and landscape views
Driftwood beaches are also pretty fun alongside the big beautiful trees. This spot is at Neck Point in Nanaimo and is ideal for family photos with playful kids.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Photos in Nanaimo
Where can I take family photos in Nanaimo?
Neck Point Park, Bowen Park, and Pipers Lagoon are among the most popular but I would love to discuss your unique family and help you choose the best location.
What should we wear for family photos in Nanaimo?
Neutral tones, layers, clothing that fits well and is comfortable for some movement as you stand, sit, play and hug with your favourite people. Check out my detailed Nanaimo Family Photo Style Guide
Can I bring my dogs to these locations?
For my sesssions I generally allow pets, though some of these locations are restricted based on seasons or certain areas. Dogs are not allowed on most beaches from May to September, and some migratory beaches like Rathtrevor for February to April. But we do have off-leash and dog friendly spots like Invermere Beach, Colliery Dam and Linley Valley trails. Let’s discuss your pet and how they would best interact for your photos, and if they are reactive or easily distracted by other dogs.
How to Choose the Right Location for Your Family
The “best” location really depends on your family. I hope the ideas above have given you some ideas for where to take family photos in Nanaimo.
Here’s how I help clients decide as we decide on the best location for your family photos in Nanaimo:
Young kids or mobility needs? Bowen Park, Pipers Lagoon or Westwood Lake
Want sunset ocean views? Neck Point, Jack Point or Nanoose Bay (or a mini adventure to Gabriola Island with me!)
Prefer quiet and natural? Linley Valley, Little Qualicum Falls, Nanoose
I always help guide you to the right spot based on your family dynamic, timing, and the kind of photos you’re dreaming of and will help make your session memorable and fun for your kids.
