Wickaninnish Inn | Tofino Family SEssion

Chesterman Beach is a local favourite and one of the most beloved beaches on Vancouver Island. Just minutes from Tofino, it offers expansive ocean views, shallow tide pools, driftwood, and forested edges — making it an ideal location for portrait sessions. The beach is primarily lined with residential homes and vacation rentals, with the exception of one of Tofino’s most iconic resorts, the Wickaninnish Inn, located at the north end.

Whether the tide is in or out, Chesterman Beach invites movement — walking along the water’s edge, pausing to watch the waves roll in, or simply taking in the shifting coastal light. My work here often feels like play, especially with young families. We might draw in the sand, collect sea treasures, build sandcastles, or get the whole family involved in an hermit crab race.

As a Tofino photographer, Chesterman is one of my favourite locations for family sessions. Morning sessions, in particular, offer calm light and a relaxed way to begin the day together.

If you’re planning portraits at Chesterman Beach, an engagement session nearby, or simply want to document a meaningful moment against this remarkable coastal backdrop, I’d love to hear from you.