Finn O'Hara Photography | Blog

Note: if you haven’t already, please read the beginning of my post “The Canadian Tourism Commission Chronicles: Saskatchewan“, to get the background on my involvement on this project.

Left Coast! Back to the land of my early retirement, and a lot of fond memories (I ‘retired’ to BC back in the 90′s after University). After finishing a very successful tour of Québec with Director Mathew Vibert, the two of us were back at it for a 6 day tour of British Columbia, which would include a trip out to Victoria.

The weather was incredible out in BC, as they were experiencing one of their hottest and driest summers on record. Believe me, long, hot, sunny weather stretches in BC (a rarity), is a real pleasure.

First up, we headed straight out to Abbotsford, and got a great tour of the farming life that exists just outside the outskirts of Vancouver.

I think my favorite clip that I shot that’s used in this story is at 1:33 – the farmers on their tractor.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHh7q8BfUOQ

After the farming tour, it was off to compile a story on the Green Spaces in Vancouver. We hit a lot of gardens in BC, and this story really encapsulates the variety of beautiful gardens that you can find in Vancouver.

Favorite clip: 2:11 – the two women sitting on the park bench talking.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLMWB6PDhQY

Next up is a great little story on sustainable dining in Vancouver.

Favorite clip: 1:21 – the radishes being cleaned under the water.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anZ_T62x7Bo

On from C Restaurant, we headed over to a little jewel within Vancouver: Granville Island.

Favorite clip: 0:32 – the cute & charming Aqua Bus and the spectacular sea village.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y07pcJpK_eE

After capturing Vancouver for a few days, we then set off for Victoria, the Capital City of BC, on Vancouver Island. This is truly one of the most beautiful areas of Canada, and I loved the time that I lived there. Our first set of stories featured the gardens of Victoria, and as a bit of a Garden nerd, it was a real pleasure to be let loose in these beautiful spaces.

Favorite clip: 0:20 – one of the beautiful little spaces of Butchart Gardens.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53IRfr49d1I

Other stories we completed included: Gastown: From Old to Hip in Vancouver, Vancouver Art, Whale Watching from Victoria, Vancouver’s Chinatown, A Day in Victoria, and Floatplane to Victoria.

Again, it was a real thrill to be out in Vancouver & Victoria, and have such amazing weather. The Canadian summer weather wasn’t one to remember, but we were very fortunate to catch great, placid weather during our shooting days while in BC.

Shoot stats:

Total kilometers driven – 450 km

Total hours in Dodge Caravan – 9.5 hours

Total number of stories shot – 11

Total number of shoot days – 6

Next up: Québec Part Deux!