5 Best Portrait Photographers in Vancouver

A portrait is more than just a photograph. It’s meant to capture the essence, character and personality of a person.

A portrait can be powerful in conveying a story to the viewer. However, it takes a lot of skill to capture a compelling photograph.

So, if you’re looking for a portrait photographer in Vancouver, then keep reading! We’ve compiled a list to help you make a decision about who to hire.*

How Much Do Portrait Photographers Cost in Vancouver

The cost of having your portrait taken depends on a number of factors. This includes the size of the portrait, the number of people in it, the complexity of the background and setting, and any special requests made by the client.

Portrait packages can cost up to CAD 330 per session on average. Couple portraits, on the other hand, will not cost you more than CAD 180 per hour, whereas family portraits can range from CAD 400 to 675 per hour.

Check out the table below, where we’ve listed some of the most common types of services and their average estimated cost.

TYPE OF SERVICE	AVERAGE ESTIMATED COST
Family Portraits	CAD 400 - 675 per hour
Studio Sessions	CAD 80 - 400 per hour
Portrait Packages	CAD 200 - 330 per session
Couple Portraits	CAD 100 - 180 per hour
Pet Portraits	CAD 100 - 130 per pet
Intimate Portraits	CAD 95 - 200 per hour

The Best Portrait Photographers in Vancouver

Choosing a portrait photographer to capture your special moments is an important decision to make. You should consider the photographer’s experience, portfolio, style, and price.

We’ve looked at the following photographers based on the following criteria to help you choose the best one for your needs.

Experience
• Photography Skills – We took a look at their creative use of angles and focus, as well as the level of experience they possess.
• Recognitions – We also looked at any recognitions they have received, such as awards or nominations.

Equipment – We assessed the equipment these photographers use  such as their cameras, lenses, lighting, and accessories.

Rates – We made sure to include photographers that offer reasonable rates.

Availability
• Client Capacity – In this criterion, we look at their capacity to accommodate multiple customers simultaneously.
• Service Coverage – We asked if they can accommodate shoots outside of Vancouver and in other regions of the world.

1. Mateus Studios

CRITERIA	RATING
Experience	★★★★★ 5/5
Photography Skills	★★★★★ 5/5
Recognitions	★★★★★ 5/5
Equipment	★★★★★ 5/5
Rates	★★★★☆ 4/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Client Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5
Service Coverage	★★★★☆ 4/5

Mateus Studios is a full-service photography studio that specializes in boudoir and intimate portrait experiences for women.  

We thought it was impressive that Michele Mateus, the leading photographer of Mateus Studios, had received international recognition as a portrait photographer. This, in our opinion, establishes her expertise.

What we noticed about her photography style is that she has a knack for creating dynamic compositions that are both intimate and evocative. 

She specializes in black-and-white photos, which we believe adds to making the final product appear more intimate.

Another thing that caught our attention is how comprehensive their portrait packages are. These include style consultations, professional hair and make-up, 3–4 wardrobe changes, and much more.

However, we were concerned because they have relatively longer shoots, with most sessions lasting 3 to 4 hours. 

We understand, however, that the extra time allows clients to truly relax and be themselves in front of the camera. We also wished they also photographed men, which they don’t currently offer.

Despite this, we thought to include Mateus Studios on our list of the best portrait photographers in Vancouver, as they offer intimate portraits and extensive photography packages.

Customer Reviews

Makes clients feel comfortable

“Michele was so lovely and made the experience comfortable and fun. We did a branding shoot, and she was able to capture many facets of my personality through her photos…” -Kara P.

Highly-skilled photographer

“Michele is one of the best photographers around! She is highly skilled and creates beautiful art, but she is also so kind, generous and makes you feel so relaxed and comfortable…” -Jodi P.

2. Laura Sosner Photography Inc.

CRITERIA	RATING
Experience	★★★★★ 5/5
Photography Skills	★★★★★ 5/5
Recognitions	★★★★★ 5/5
Equipment	★★★★★ 5/5
Rates	★★★★☆ 4/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Client Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5
Service Coverage	★★★★★ 5/5

Laura Sosner Photography Inc. is owned and operated by Laura Sosner. She accepts both in-studio and on-location shoots for families, individuals, and couples.

Laura’s numerous affiliations are perhaps what pleased us the most. She’s a member of the Professional Photographers of Canada and an accredited photographer with The Portrait Masters. 

Her work has also been featured in Vogue Italia, which we found impressive. That, in our opinion, is an outstanding achievement and testament to her talent and skill as a photographer.

We also appreciate her wide scope of services, as she’s able to shoot glamour shots, corporate headshots, family portraits, and many more. She also does maternity shoots, which makes her a great choice for families.

Unfortunately, you can’t book an appointment online. They also require a CAD 250 deposit prior to the photoshoot, which is a bit of a downside.

Still, we think Laura Sosner Photography Inc. is one of the best portrait photographers in Vancouver. She has a lot of experience, great credentials, and a wide range of services.

Customer Reviews

Patient and responsive

“I enjoyed my session with Laura. She is patient and responsive to my questions…” -Elaine G.

Guides clients from start to finish

“Laura is truly the sweetest and kindest photographer you could ever meet and work with! She guided me every step of the way. From outfit choice, makeup, and posing…” -Victoria I.

3. My City Photos

CRITERIA	RATING
Experience	★★★★☆ 4/5
Photography Skills	★★★★★ 5/5
Recognitions	★★★★☆ 4/5
Equipment	★★★★★ 5/5
Rates	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Client Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5
Service Coverage	★★★★★ 5/5

My City Photos was started by Laura Lee, who has been a full time photographer since 2010. She focuses on boudoir photography, creative portraits, family portraits, and headshots.

First and foremost, we couldn’t help but notice how inviting her photography studio is. It’s decorated in white and light brown tones with minimalistic touches, which we absolutely love. 

In our opinion, it perfectly captures the soft and delicate atmosphere she wants her clients to experience.

We also found it convenient that she has free parking on the street and a paid parking lot across the street. This makes it easy for clients to visit her studio.

It’s also an added convenience that she has an online booking system. This allows customers to book sessions whenever it’s most convenient for them.

We also liked how all-inclusive her photography packages are. They come with four retouched digital pictures, black-and-white pictures, digital pictures for the web, and a lot more!

Having said that, we were a bit bummed that she’s only open four days a week, which results in a longer waiting time to claim the photos. However, we appreciate that she offers repeat client discounts, and we think you would too.

Overall, we think that Lauren Lee of My City Photos is one of the best portrait photographers in Vancouver. She offers a wide range of services, such as retouched digital pictures and black-and-white pictures, with superb results.

Customer Reviews

Amazing photographs

“We had the BEST time working with LL and got amazing photos in the process!…” -Marlisse S.

Patient with children

“I would definitely recommend LL to anyone who’s planning to take family photos especially with a toddler. She was so patient with my 2 year old son who was being a cranky pants mid way…” -Angela Y.

4. Jane Thomson Photography

CRITERIA	RATING
Experience	★★★★☆ 4/5
Photography Skills	★★★★★ 5/5
Recognitions	★★★★☆ 4/5
Equipment	★★★★★ 5/5
Rates	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Client Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5
Service Coverage	★★★★★ 5/5

Jane Thomson has substantial experience as a TV producer, which has given her the opportunity to work with cinematographers and lighting directors. We believe that this experience allowed her to gain valuable insights into photography.

We immediately noticed that her photography style is more on the classic and dramatic side. 

Her photos employ dramatic lighting, which gives a sense of depth and helps her capture her subjects in a natural way, which we thought was impressive. 

Now, Jane Thomson mainly offers portrait packages for families, pets, children, and couples. From what we’ve seen, she utilizes a black background for all of her shoots, which we think makes her photos more striking and emphasizes her subjects.

We also found it reassuring that she has liability and equipment insurance. This means that shoots will be covered in case of any unfortunate accidents or if something were to break.

If there’s one drawback we’ve observed with her, it’s that she doesn’t do evening shoots. So those who  prefer to take pictures at night or when the sun is setting are not able to take advantage of Jane’s services.

Despite that fact, we think Jane Thomson deserves a spot on our list because of her focus on portrait photography and classic photography style.

Customer Reviews

Creative and stunning portraits

“Jane takes stunningly beautiful pictures, has great creative ideas, and makes the session itself incredibly fun…” -Felix H.

Takes portraits to the next level

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the portraits of my dog! I have so many photos of my dog (don’t we all) however Jane’s photos takes it to the next level…” -Moe B.

5. Lumena Photography

CRITERIA	RATING
Experience	★★★★☆ 4/5
Photography Skills	★★★★★ 5/5
Recognitions	★★★★★ 5/5
Equipment	★★★★★ 5/5
Rates	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Client Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5
Service Coverage	★★★★★ 5/5

Mina Lumena is a portrait photographer who owns and operates Lumena Photography. She has several locations in Vancouver, Kitsilano, Burnaby, and the North Shore. 

She gives fully guided, custom photo shoots where the client can choose the style and other props. 

What we liked best about her services is that she can shoot anywhere you want, whether it’s on a beach, in a canyon, or in a forest. We also liked that she can shoot in all seasons, including winter!

We thought that her emphasis on close-up candid and posed portraits sets her apart. We think it allows her clients to capture a range of emotions and moods in their photos.

It’s also a nice touch that she has an extensive work portfolio where she showcases her previous clients. In our opinion, this gives prospective clients a chance to get a glimpse of the quality of her work.

Now, we’re not big fans of her relatively higher rates, but we understand that high-quality products come at a cost.  

We have also spoken with her previous customers, and most of them highly rate their experience with Mina. They find her pleasant to work with and help them feel welcomed and comfortable.

All in all, if you’re looking for one of the best portrait photographers in Vancouver, we highly recommend Mina Lumena.

Customer Reviews

Brings light-hearted energy to shoots

“Mina is an absolute delight to work with. She clearly loves her craft and is able to guide and direct with a playful, light-hearted energy…” -Aga P.

Great overall experience

“Had a full day of creating and shooting with Mina, absolutely fantastic experience! She made us feel very welcomed and comfortable, and the creation process was really fun!..” -Kevin Z.

FAQs about Portrait Photographers in Vancouver

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That ends our list of the best portrait photographers in Vancouver, and we hope you found it helpful in finding the perfect photographer for your special occasion. 

In case you’re interested, check out the following articles below you may find helpful:

• Best Headshot Photographers in Vancouver
• Best Photographers in Vancouver
• Best Photo Printing Services in Vancouver

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