Bowling Alley Engagement Photos at Grandview Lanes, Vancouver
When Kaitlin and Rob first reached out with their idea to take bowling alley engagement photos at their local lanes, I jumped with joy! It was such a unique idea for an engagement session and I knew we were going to have a lot of fun together.
Kait and I actually went to high school together and have followed each other on social media for years. But it wasn’t until her engagement session that we got to reconnect, hitting it off like two old friends (three, including Rob) .
Rob and Kait’s engagement shoot was so them, celebrating the things they love most in some of their favourite spaces. In addition to their engagement photos, I also got to capture their wedding at Koerner’s Pub. Fun fact: I wound up booking Koerner’s Pub for my own wedding!
Creating fun and retro bowling alley engagement photos
I was super excited to join Kait and Rob at their neighbourhood bowling alley, Grandview Lanes Bowling, for an afternoon of laughter, beer and a couple of gutter balls. In fact, K & R love this place so much that they came back that same night to play a full game!
Not only was I thrilled to photograph Rob and Kait in a place that they love, but I was also really looking forward to the creative fulfillment of a bowling alley photoshoot. The fluorescent lighting ended up being a fun element to work with, as was coming up with poses that worked within the context of a bowling alley.
If I had to pick my favourites, I love the shots of Kaitlin and Rob sitting back to back on the seats. I also love the direct flash shots of them against the green wall as they have an awesome retro vibe!
“We are obsessed with Aileen!! She was our wedding and engagement shoot photographer and we could not recommend her more! Aileen is such a talented and creative photographer. Our photos are warm, vibrant and genuinely capture the joy we felt on our big day. She came to both shoots so prepared with ideas and suggestions to help us feel comfortable, and make the photos look unique and so beautiful.” - Kait & Rob
Planning an engagement session that reflects who you are
Whether it’s your neighbourhood bowling alley, your favourite restaurant or the coffee shop where you first met, I love when couples suggest unique ideas for their engagement sessions that truly reflect who they are.
Even if your idea feels a little weird or out there, as long as it’s true to you two, I’m all for it!
After bowling, we headed back to Rob and Kait’s place to capture even more engagement photos. At-home photo sessions always feel so personal and intimate, which perfectly matched the laidback and fun vibes that Kait and Rob brought to their shoot. We took some shots of them cuddling with their cats, relaxing on their couch and reading books in bed.
My #1 tip for indoor engagement sessions
If you’re planning an indoor engagement session - particularly one without a lot of natural light, such as in a bowling alley - don’t forget about lighting.
Fluorescent overhead lights can make lighting images really tricky, so make sure your photographer is experienced with artificial lighting and comfortable using flash when needed.
Opt for a photographer who loves the creative challenge of working in different lighting conditions and can show you samples of past sessions that are similar to what you’re planning.
Whether it’s under the fluorescent lights of a bowling alley, neon lights at an arcade or moody lighting of a bar, I’d love to capture your unique engagement session. Get in touch and let’s chat about the details!
