Josh Bowie Photography established in 2006

Vancouver Photographer


Award-Winning Photography by Josh Bowie

JOSH BOWIE PHOTOGRAPHY


Josh Bowie is a professional photographer based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He specializes in event and family photography and has photographed countless occasions. Photography services include weddings, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, charity fundraisers, business events, social events, birthday parties and much more.


His work has been recognized on a national level and has appeared in many wedding photography magazines and blogs. Some of these include Real Weddings and Wedluxe. Josh offers a professional yet easy-going approach to photography. His unobtrusive style allows people to be authentic and in the moment.


Josh's warm personality helps people feel comfortable and at ease. This allows them to relax and be themselves in the photos. The result is images that are natural and full of emotion. They capture real life moments that evoke feelings in the viewer, making them feel like they were there in the moment.


Wedding Photography

"When I photograph weddings, I am aware of my senses as much as possible. This allows me to be in touch with what’s happening around me - the conversations, laughter between wedding guests."


Josh follows his instincts and intuitively documents the most important moments. When he takes wedding photos in this way, he captures the authentic nature of the people he is photographing. It documents their unique ways, their intimate interactions and their most significant expressions.

WEDDING PHOTOS

Family Portraits

Whether Josh is taking family photos or a headshot, he wants people to feel comfortable and at ease. He always looks for the middle ground between posing and letting things happen naturally. He offers guidance and direction when needed, while encouraging people to be themselves and to be spontaneous. 


“Kids are one of my favorite subjects to photograph because they are so genuine and uninhibited. It is rewarding to capture these emotions on camera.”

FAMILY PHOTOS

Event Photography

“Photography, to me, is all about following your instincts. You have to feel what is happening around you and photograph the moments that you are drawn to.” 


With an unobtrusive and relaxed approach to photography, Josh is able to capture the feeling of the event through photos. He loves seeing the kids dancing and singing together. The bond between friends at this stage of life is special and worth documenting. 

EVENT PHOTOS

"Photography for me is all about following my instincts."

Josh has a passion for photography. He believes that your photographs should bring up the memories of how you felt in the moment.


When you see a gorgeous photo from your child’s bar or bat mitzvah or a beautiful photo from your wedding reception, Josh wants you to hear the laughter, feel the warmth and remember the joy that was present.


Decades from now, when you are looking through your photo album, he wants all of the sounds, feelings and emotions from your event to come flooding back to you.

When photographing events or portraits, Josh has a few technical techniques he likes to use. Whenever possible, he likes to photograph people using a shallow depth of field. This makes the subject stand out against the background and draws the viewers’ attention to their emotion and expression. 


Whenever possible, he also prefers shooting with natural light. The natural light tends to keep the dimensions and contrast in an image, helping the image look natural. It is also flattering to the subject and keeps the skin soft with minimal shine. Whenever Josh uses flash, he has techniques which make the final photo look natural. This avoids the look of the flash. 


Josh likes to use a variety of lenses to capture different images and candid moments. At times he uses a telephoto lens because it allows him to be far enough away to avoid drawing attention to himself. He is close enough to clearly capture the moment. A telephoto lens also gives a slightly different look than a wide-angle lens. This can be more flattering for portraits. 


Wide-angle lenses are great to show more of the background and also to capture spontaneous moments among bigger groups of people. The wide-angle lens allows great flexibility in shooting. It can be a great lens choice at a reception or party. It captures spontaneous moments and has creative angles that often result in interesting images.


The range of lenses Josh uses offers the best possible coverage of an event. It captures the more intimate, emotional gestures and facial expressions of people. It also takes the bigger picture into consideration. These same lenses and techniques are also effective for family portraits. 


Family photo on a sunny day in the park
By Josh Bowie 23 Aug, 2022
I like the creativity of using graphic design elements and the ability to customize each portrait to suit the style and aesthetic of the family.
Outdoor wedding - Bride walking down the isle with her parents
By Josh Bowie 10 Jul, 2022
I had finished a portion of the photography program at Langara College and was just starting out as a professional photographer.
Backyard gathering of grad students around the pool
By Josh Bowie 08 May, 2022
I talk about my experience getting started as an event photographer in Vancouver and the different aspects of the profession that I appreciate.
Vancouver Photographer - Josh Bowie

JOSH
BOWIE


VANCOUVER PHOTOGRAPHER



Josh experienced success early in his career as a local wedding photographer in Vancouver. The third wedding that he photographed was a beautiful backyard wedding. It ended up being a feature in Real Weddings magazine as a 3-page spread.


It was a real honor to be recognized and featured so early on, and reaffirmed that he was on the right career path.


Since then, he has continued to refine his craft and aesthetic taste in order to create magazine-worthy images for all of his clients.


Josh has experience working in all types of environments. This allows him to capture memorable moments, regardless of the setting or weather conditions. He has photographed weddings, families and events of all kinds.


Review from Vanessa S

“He really shone in his ability to capture the spontaneous moments of our occasion; these candid shots are some of our favourites."

Vanessa S

Review from Rachel K

"Josh was extremely professional and when we met with him, we felt an ease right away - as if we had known each other for years."

Rachel K

Review from Jaspaul R

"Josh took amazing candid shots that captured the essence of each moment well. I can't put into words how good his photographs are."

Jaspaul R

Review from Shannon W

"Josh is such a talented photographer and we were so happy to have him capture pictures for our engagement and wedding."

Shannon W

  • What is the best way to inquire?

    The best way to inquire is by sending me an email. You can also give me a call or send me a text at 604-897-7689.


    Bookings for events are on a first-come, first-serve basis and I generally require a deposit to secure the date. Send me an email and I'll be happy to walk you through the process; it’s easy. 


    We have also compiled a list of places you can find us online.

  • What if we feel uncomfortable having our photo taken?

    Many of the people I meet with say, "We are not photogenic and feel awkward having our photo taken!” Not to worry, this is common. 


    My personality and photography style are relaxed and easy-going, which allows you to feel the same way. To get great photos, all you have to do is be yourselves and enjoy each other's company. I take care of the rest.

  • How do we pose properly for photos?

    Often, when I meet with couples, they will have already looked through my website or talked with friends that have hired me in the past. They will usually have seen samples of weddings I have photographed and will know they are attracted to the style and feeling of my photos.


    My style of photography is to capture people in a natural way, so that people and their expressions look relaxed and authentic. 


    I want the photos to capture the real emotion and expressions of the individuals. After seeing examples of my photos, new clients will often wonder and ask how they have to pose, stand or act to get similar results. This is a common question and concern for people. We are not models and are not accustomed to having our photograph taken.  


    I always tell my clients that all I need from them is to relax and be themselves, as best they can. Enjoy each other's company - throw your arms around each other and enjoy the moment. 


    All clients have to do is be in the moment and enjoy themselves. It’s my job to find the best light, the best angles and the best lenses to capture the images. I will always offer guidance and some gentle posing to my couples and I’ll create a safe environment where they can feel at ease and themselves. 


    I know that within a short time, couples will relax, realize there isn’t anything extraordinary required of them and they will settle in. I very rarely photograph models. 


    Most of my clients are people with limited experience having their photo taken by a professional photographer. I will help you to ensure we get beautiful, authentic looking photos.

  • When should I book my wedding photographer?

    The first priority when planning a wedding is to pick a date and secure a venue. The wedding date and venue are the foundation. Once they are secure, it’s often best to hire your photographer. 


    It is important to book early as they generally book based on a first come, first served basis. Once booked, they can’t accept another wedding. Other vendors, like florists and caterers, can book many weddings in a day. There isn’t the same need to lock them in as soon as possible.


    Generally, couples will book a photographer 6-12 months in advance to secure a date. This is especially important for peak days in the summer, such as a Saturday in July or August. 


    With that said, I’ve had couples book me a couple of years in advance. I've had  couples that have booked me a couple of weeks before the wedding. If I am available, I’m happy to help.

  • When do we receive our photos?

    After an event or family portrait, I take the time to go through each image and pick out the best ones. My next step is to re-touch each image with my signature style ensuring the highest quality photos. Re-touching the images is time consuming but also a very important part of the process. 


    I don’t believe couples or families should have to wait months to receive their photographs. Even at my peak times, I guarantee your images will be re-touched and delivered in high resolution within 4 weeks of your event or portrait session.


Let's talk about your project.


Send us an email or call/text

(604) 897-7689


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