I’ve photographed in a lot of beautiful places. But when summer rolls around and I’m thinking about where I most want to spend golden hour with a family, a grad, or anyone who wants beautiful portraits… it’s Centennial Beach. Every time. Here’s why.
The Light. Oh, the Light.
Summer sunsets at Boundary Bay are spectacular. Because the beach faces a flat, open expanse of fields, there’s nothing to interrupt the light as the sun gets low. You get a warm, golden glow that lingers, wrapping around faces softly and turning even the most camera-shy person into someone who looks completely at home in front of a lens.
It’s the kind of light that I’m constantly looking for, and it’s the main reason I schedule sunset sessions here from June through September. Late-evening sessions (think 7:30–8:30 PM on a July evening) are truly magical.
That said, Centennial Beach isn’t just a sunset location. On overcast summer days, the soft cloud-diffused light is equally flattering, and we can shoot at almost any time without harsh shadows. If a daytime session works better for your schedule, this location TOTALLY delivers.
So Many Different Backdrops — One Location
This is probably the biggest reason Centennial Beach has stayed my go-to location year after year: there are so many different backdrops available, all within a short walk of each other.
The Beach Itself
The wide, flat stretch of sand at low tide gives you an enormous canvas – room to spread out, run, let kids splash at the water’s edge. And if the tide is in, the water makes a gorgeous backdrop when the sun turns pinky-purple after the sun dips below the horizon.
The Golden Fields
One of my most favourite features of the park is the golden, grassy meadows opposite the beach. In summer, the grasses dry to a warm straw-gold that pairs beautifully with sunset tones, giving portraits an almost cinematic, open-sky quality.
The Boardwalk
The wooden boardwalk is one of my favourite spots for relaxed, lifestyle-style images — walking shots, candid in-between moments, couples strolling hand-in-hand. The worn wood, surrounding grasses, and open sky make it feel both rustic and beautiful.
Gravel Trails and Dike Paths
The gravel trails along the dike offer clean lines and a sense of open space stretching in both directions. They’re especially great for longer lenses and that beautifully blurred background — and a nice change of pace mid-session.
It Feels Easy (and Beautiful) for Families
A lot of beautiful locations come with a catch – difficult terrain, lots of walking, nowhere for kids to burn off energy. Centennial Beach doesn’t have those problems. The paths are flat and stroller-friendly, there’s room for kids to run, and the beach itself is endlessly entertaining for little ones. Families arrive relaxed, and that energy shows up in every photo.
I’ve photographed everything here from family milestones to multi-generational portraits to high school grads to anniversary couples. The location has real range.
It’s Home
Part of why I love this location so much is personal. Centennial Beach is in my backyard – a place I walk, where my family spends summer days, where I’ve watched the sun go down hundreds of times.
That familiarity means I know exactly where to be and when. I know which way the light moves, where the prettiest pockets of the field are, how to work with whatever the sky is doing that evening. When I’m photographing you here, I’m not navigating an unfamiliar spot and hoping for the best. I’m bringing you somewhere I genuinely love, and that comes through in the photos.
Book a Summer Session at Centennial Beach
I offer both sunset sessions (the most popular) and daytime sessions at Centennial Beach throughout the summer months. Sunset sessions are timed to the golden hour for your session date, so the light is always at its best.
If you’ve been thinking about booking family portraits, this is your season. Summer evenings at Boundary Bay are fleeting and they’re worth capturing.
Send me a message to book your date!
Eran Sudds is a Tsawwassen photographer who specializes in fun & natural sessions for you and your entire family. She is available for maternity, newborn, family portraits and headshots at locations in South Delta, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Contact her to book your session!
