Spring Inspired Floral Creative Collaboration
Escaping the Winter Blues with a Spring-Inspired Floral Photo Shoot.
Winter on Vancouver Island has its own charm and beautiful snow days, but the gray skies and chilly air can leave us longing for the warmth and color of spring. As a wedding and family photographer I thrive on creativity, and when the off-season arrives, it’s the perfect time to collaborate with fellow artists and bring fresh ideas to life. One of the best ways to shake off the winter blues? A vibrant, spring-inspired floral photo shoot!
A styled collaboration involves a general theme and look book, from the make up to the decor and flowers, to the location and lighting, and then the wardrobe, hair and make-up, and the willing and wonderful models to spend the day being part of the action.
All Images from this session are taken by me, Alanna D Photography, and I would love for you to share, pin and tag your favourite images. Please do not use my images for your personal advertising to offer a similar shoot.
Now booking Vancouver Island family portraits, weddings, events and client photo sessions throughout 2025, 2026.
The Vision: A playful clothesline of flowers, and picnic vibe with a lot of colour. Picture this for your backyard wedding in 2025.
With the winter wedding season slowing down, this is typically when photographers and vendors finally get the chance to create some work of their own and spend time with other vendors just to create something inspiring. Creative projects offer the chance to experiment and explore new ideas, even tackle some of that pin-spiration that we all seem to have in our minds some days (yes please pin these photos if you like them!).
For this shoot, we envisioned an explosion of florals—soft pastels, bold pops of color, and lush greenery—to transport us straight into the magic of spring, set against the white sheets and rustic elegant picnic details.
The hardest thing to find was a location that was winter suitable, as we suddenly fell into a week-long deep freeze with snow that wouldn’t melt. Originally we had planned this session to take place in my backyard grapevine garden, but were lucky enough to transition to my friend’s new GeoDome at Cedarlea Farms.
I have partnered with this farm to offer farm elopements for 2025 and 2026 in Nanaimo so it was a great opportunity to create something new and share their unique Geodome which will be available for a photo space and potential glamping accomodation in 2025.
This was the scene as we were setting up. February 10, 2025 almost a week after the actual snowfall.
And here is the vision as we brought it to life, in this wintery dome in the forest
Picture delicate garden roses, tall whisps of larkspur and delphinium, and cascading eucalyptus to frame your bouquet or an ethereal bridal look set against your green and blue Vancouver Island forest backdrop.
Shout out to the Dream Team
This was only my second styled shoot collaboration with a full team and it was absolutely perfect. Even though it was completely frozen outside and we spent the day in an unheated geodome, our models were pros, the flowers looked perfectly warm and lucious and we were all channelling warm feelings of spring while freezing our butts off. All part of the creative challenge right?
A successful styled shoot is all about collaboration. Sheri put together this group of creative talented people and I am so thankful that she allowed me to use my vision of the setting with the ladder, the clothesline florals and fresh colours and then tied in a casual elegance to the hair and makeup look that she created for both of our models.
Coastal boards and bites really heard our vision of a colourful picnic vibe and created a very tasty and awesome charcuterie board that fit perfectly alongside the vibrant hand tied bouquet and floral backdrops from Evoke Floral. to find a desigout to local wedding vendors who were equally eager to break free from winter’s grasp and create something beautiful. Our team included:’
Vancouver Island Makeup & Hair Artist Sherry Taylor: Sherry is a force, a talent and a creator that is on fire and you should definitely book her for your wedding or portrait session for hair and make-up. She pulled together the idea and the team for this creative session and from idea to shoot date it was less than a month. With our models she was going for sultry eyes, a good lash, and a nude/ pinky “effortless” lip Hair is “I woke up like this I’m a goddess and my messy bun is voluptuous and envied by millions”. Instagram
Evoke Floral: Rebecca went above and beyond with her stunning centrepiece and flower choices for our session, and was having so much fun that she shared the whole day with us, helping with touch ups and ideas. Evoke Floral has some big things coming to the Parksville and Central Vancouver Island wedding and flower scene this year so be sure to follow her on social media. To design whimsical, overflowing floral arrangements that would be the heart of the shoot. Instagram Facebook
Napping Wolf Closet: Tehani lent us two beautiful playful skirts with flowing fabrics, one of a kind design and movement that helped make this session oh so much fun. The florals combined with soft lace details were perfect for our vision. The handmade Lace Hoodie was where we started for this whole vision, the floral dresses were a welcome bonus that fit perfectly. Find her Online Shop for her local Canadian handmade goods and follow along on Instagram
Coastal Boards and Bites: To add elegant, handcrafted touches to our set Coastal Boards and Bites created one of her delicate and delicious charcuterie picnics that matched perfectly to the floral design. The treats were so tasty and I am excited to have these picnic boards as an add on option for my couple’s photo sessions too. Instagram
Models: Our new friends Remi and Dany really went all out to look amazing and be open to all the fun ideas with this session even while freezing their butts off. Not pictured are the housecoats and blankets we all wrapped up in between photos for warmth. It was a magic day all thanks to the wonderful creative energy from our two models. Remi - denim jeans and lace hoodie - Instagram, Dany - Denim Jacket and Teal Dress - Instagram
Venue: Cedarlea Farms in Cedar, South Nanaimo area. I have known the farm owners for a year now and they are the most fun loving, creative and generous family, who shares a lot of big dreams about their farm and the potential for weddings and events. We have connected to offer an exclusive elopement package for 2025 including the farm, animals, optional geo dome, flower fields and photography with me. Find out the details and see more of what this stunning 10 acre homestead has to offer HERE for your Nanaimo elopement, mini wedding or event.
Evoke Floral
With this creative session “we are embracing the beautiful and dynamic energy of 2025 using bright pastel and playful vibrant hues that have been at the forefront of this upcoming wedding season industry trends. And we are having a really fun time with these palettes!”
Evoke Floral is your new go-to flower source located in Parksville. Available for weddings, events and any floral needs and has a new greenhouse and expansion plans coming up soon!
Gorgeous Vibrant Romantic Floral design by Evoke Floral, Parksville Vancouver Island.
The floral skirts and lace hoodie were designed and handmade by The Napping Wolf Closet design Tehani
Designed for you to “feel beautiful in thoughtful clothing”
Whimsical creations thoughtfully made from upcycled materials.
Handmade on Snuneymuxw Territory
Skirt Handmade by Napping Wolf Closet
Skirt Handmade by Napping Wolf Closet
Lace Hoodie Handmade by Napping Wolf Closet
Coastal Boards and Bites
We couldn’t have found a more perfect fit to turn our little floral inspired shoot into a full on picnic with this beautiful charcuterie board. With mini takeaway options and larger scale party orders for options, you should definitely connect with Coastal Boards and Bites for snacks at your next event, date night or picnic.
I have already ordered my next picnic box for an upcoming waterfall couple’s photo session this spring.
Check out some inspiration here for couple’s sessions and picnics and reach out if you would like to book a photo session anywhere on Vancouver Island
Coastal Boards and Bites Charcuterie Nanaimo
Casual Elegant Updo - Vancouver Island Wedding Hair and Makeup by Sherry Taylor
Fresh, naturally beautiful makeup paired with a casual updo by Sherry Taylor
Modern Natural Glam and a lucious eyelash, Hair and Makeup by Sherry Taylor. Luxury Spray Tan by model Dany at House of Dandy
A little more love for our Hair & Make-up Artist for pulling this all together.
There are many opportunities to get a little glam, it doesn’t have to be just for an event or photo sessions. Here’s a bit of what Sherry Taylor offers as a Vancouver Island Make-up Artist
“Hi! I’m Sheri, owner of Van Island Makeup Artist, and I’m so excited to offer personalized makeup lessons or parties for everyone—from pre-teens just starting out to those looking to refine their skills. With years of experience as an educator at the renowned John Casablancas Institute of Makeup and Applied Arts in Vancouver, I truly miss that aspect of the industry. Now, as a bridal specialist, I’m thrilled to bring that education experience back in a fun, welcoming setting. Whether you’re a beginner or simply looking to level up your makeup game, I create a warm, inviting space to help you feel confident and empowered.
Model Dany with a Napping Wolf Closet designer skirt, paired with vibrant florals from Evoke Floral, Parksville Florist. Skirt Handmade in Canada
A Big THANK YOU to Cedarlea Farms for hosting us
Cedarlea Farms is a family run acreage and farm filled with horses and animals, whimsical flowers and a fairy tale cottage. They host spring plant sales, year round local egg sales and are working on the official launch of their geo-dome (that we used for this session) to provide guest accomodation for weddings and events here.
If you are interested in an Elopement Package or a beautiful April/May wildflower photo session, please reach out to me and I would be happy to discuss in detail.
Find out more about weddings and sessions on my portfolio page. This image is from the May blossoms as Cedarlea Farms. Exclusive mini wedding packages are available right here with me.
Feeling Inspired? Let’s Create Together!
If you’re a vendor dreaming of a fresh, creative project, let’s connect! I offer collaborations as well as business branding sessions and I have a couple other locations and ideas I would love to work through on a collaboration this year.
And if you're a couple planning a spring wedding, take this as a sign—surround yourself with blooms and let the season’s beauty shine through! I still have available dates for weddings and events throughout 2025 and 2026
