When Jackie and Eric first reached out about incorporating their motorcycles into their Vancouver Island engagement session, I immediately knew it was going to be epic. One of the things I encourage most with couples is creating a session that actually feels personal to them. Whether that’s bringing along something meaningful, choosing a location connected to their story, or building the session around an activity they genuinely love doing together, those details always make photographs feel more honest and emotionally connected.

On a warm Saturday evening at the beginning of May, we met along a quiet country road in Coombs surrounded by open fields, mountain views, and golden hour light that already felt like summer. Between the motorcycles, Motown music playing in the background, and the way Jackie and Eric naturally settled into each other, the entire session just felt playful and deeply true to who they are together.

Why I Encourage Couples to Make Sessions Personal

One of the biggest things I try to communicate with couples before a session is that your photographs do not need to look like anyone else’s. Some couples feel most like themselves wandering barefoot along the beach at sunset, while others connect more deeply over motorcycles, dive bars, coffee shops, camping trips, record stores, rainy mornings at home, or slow evenings driving together.

The most meaningful sessions are always the ones rooted in something authentic to the couple themselves. And for Jackie & Eric, this meant their shared love for adventure and the open road.

I’m far more interested in documenting connection, movement, personality, and atmosphere than forcing couples into overly curated or performative moments. When people bring pieces of their real lives into a session, the photographs naturally become more emotionally connected and memorable because they reflect who they genuinely are together.

Jackie and Eric bringing their motorcycles into the session made the entire evening feel incredibly personal and story driven from the very beginning.

A Vancouver Island Engagement Session Along the Country Roads of Coombs

We met just outside of Coombs along a quiet road surrounded by open fields with views of Mount Arrowsmith and the backdrop??? It really could not have been more perfect.

Jackie and Eric arrived wearing matching jeans, white tops, and sneakers that fit the relaxed and cool energy of the evening perfectly. Their motorcycles became such a natural extension of the session itself rather than simply feeling like props. We photographed them sitting together on the bikes, riding slowly along the empty roads, laughing between takes, and leaning fully into the playful energy of the evening.

We wandered into nearby field to photograph amongst the tall grass while the sun slowly dropped lower behind the mountains.

From Nervous to Completely Themselves

At the beginning of the session, Jackie mentioned feeling nervous and shy in front of the camera and worried about not knowing what to do. Honestly, this is something I hear from couples ALL THE TIME, which is why creating a relaxed environment matters so much to me during sessions.

We spent most of the evening simply moving, talking, listening to music, and allowing moments to unfold naturally around us, while still be . We put on a Motown playlist they had requested, and within a short amount of time the nervous energy completely disappeared.

By the end of the session, the two of them were laughing together, riding up and down the road, goofing around in the field, and fully immersed in the experience rather than thinking about the camera at all.

One of my favourite things is hearing couples say afterward that the session felt less like a photoshoot and more like a really fun date night that I just happened to third wheel along for.

Honestly, that’s exactly how I want sessions to feel. It’s about HAVING FUN.

Film Inspired Engagement Photography with Movement

A huge part of my approach to engagement photography is rooted in film and the nostalgic feeling it brings to an image. I’m far less focused on creating perfectly polished photographs and more drawn to moments that feel lived in, emotionally honest, and full of movement and connection.

There was a really beautiful balance throughout the session between documentary inspired moments and more artful editorial imagery.

Sessions like these are a reminder that some of the most meaningful photographs often happen in the in between moments.

Why Storytelling Sessions Matter

The goal is never just creating beautiful photographs. It’s creating an experience where couples feel comfortable enough to be fully themselves, where connection naturally unfolds, and where the images end up feeling like memories rather than performances.

Those are always the stories I’m most drawn to documenting.

Book Your Vancouver Island Engagement Session

If you’re dreaming of an engagement session that feels honest, artful, and genuinely reflective of your relationship, I’d love to create something meaningful alongside you. Whether your ideal session looks like slow evenings along the coast, motorcycles down a country road, cozy at home moments, or documenting the places and activities that already mean something to you, my approach is rooted in storytelling that feels natural, nostalgic, and deeply personal. And of course, always on film!

Based in Parksville and photographing couples throughout Nanaimo and Vancouver Island, I document engagement sessions using a blend of documentary storytelling, movement, film photography, and candid connection focused imagery. You can explore more of my couples and portrait work here, and if it feels like we’d be a good fit, I’d love to hear from you!