Richmond Cherry Blossom Engagement Photos: Your Complete Location Guide
Hi, I’m Tommy, a Vancouver wedding and engagement photographer who has spent a lot of spring mornings chasing cherry blossoms with couples across the Vancouver. Over the years I’ve shot blossom sessions from Stanley Park to Steveston, and Richmond has some my favourite places.
If you’re planning a wedding, engagement session, or pre-wedding shoot during blossom season, here are my favourite Richmond locations and what makes each one worth knowing about.
Richmond’s cherry blossom season runs from mid-March to early May, with peak bloom typically landing in early April for Akebono and late April to early May for Kanzan.
Quick Cherry Blossom Location Overview: Richmond
Tap any location name to jump to the full breakdown. Tap the arrow at the bottom of each section to come back here.
| Location | Best Timing | Tommy’s Quick Take |
|---|---|---|
| Garry Point Park ↓ | Late March to early April | The standout spot. 250+ trees, ocean views, golden hour magic. Go early. |
| Dover Crescent ↓ | Late April to early May | Richmond’s hidden gem. A Kanzan tunnel most people drive right past. |
| Larry Berg Flight Path Park ↓ | Late March to early April | Unexpected and fun. Lower trees, easy access, planes overhead. |
Garry Point Park in Steveston
Tommy’s Thoughts
Richmond’s best cherry blossom spot by a wide margin. Over 250 Akebono trees stretch along open fields near the water, and at golden hour with the Fraser River and mountains behind you, it’s genuinely hard to beat.
I do want to be upfront about one thing. This place gets crowded. On any nice spring weekend it draws a lot of people who are also trying to get photos. The solution is simple though. Come at sunrise. Families rarely make it out that early, and you’ll find pockets of trees that feel completely yours.
Best for: Couples who want scale and water views.
Timing: Late March to early April.
Heads-up: Free parking on Chatham Street fills up fast on weekends. Arrive early.
Dover Crescent
Tommy’s Thoughts
This is the one most people drive right past. I’m always a little glad they do.
Dover Crescent is a quiet residential street along the Middle Arm of the Fraser River with a line of Kanzan trees that arch over the sidewalk and form one of the prettiest blossom tunnels I’ve found in Richmond. Because it’s Kanzan and not Akebono, the blooms are deeper pink, fuller, and more dramatic. They also arrive later in the season which means fewer crowds and more time to plan.
There are white cherry blossoms in the nearby park that bloom even later, so you can get real variety within a short walk.
Best for: Couples who want a less crowded tunnel with a richer, darker pink bloom.
Timing: Late April to early May.
Heads-up: Free street parking on Dover Crescent. Flat and easy throughout. Stroller and wheelchair friendly.
Larry Berg Flight Path Park
Tommy’s Thoughts
150 Akebono trees planted in 2011 at the foot of runway 29L near YVR. Because they’re younger trees, they’re lower and more accessible than older groves, which means you can actually get surrounded by blossoms rather than just standing underneath them.
Planes come in low overhead on approach to the runway, and when the timing lines up with the blooms it creates a backdrop unlike anything else in Richmond. Not where I’d take every couple, but for the right pair who want something playful and different, this place delivers.
Parking fills up fast. Come early.
Best for: Couples who want something unexpected and easy to access.
Timing: Late March to early April.
Heads-up: Free parking off Russ Baker Way fills up quickly. Closest washrooms at the McArthurGlen outlet nearby.
Tips for Your Richmond Cherry Blossom Session
Go early. Sunrise is your best friend. The light is softer, the parks are quieter, and you’ll have the space to actually move around. Early morning is the only reliable way to get photos that look like just the two of you.
Stay flexible with your dates. Bloom windows shift every year. Richmond actually has an advantage here because Akebono and Kanzan bloom at different times, which gives you a longer overall window than most spots.
Use the wind. Richmond gets breezier than most Vancouver neighbourhoods. Flowing hair and falling petals in motion add life to photos if you lean into it.
Shoot through the blossoms. Look for angles where the blossoms frame you rather than just surround you. A longer lens from a lower angle removes the background clutter and fills the frame with colour.
Don’t write off a rainy day. Light rain keeps the crowds away and creates a soft, cinematic atmosphere. Bring a clear umbrella and lean into it. Some of my favourite Richmond sessions have happened in light drizzle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Blossom Photos in Richmond
When is cherry blossom season in Richmond, BC?
Mid-March to early May, with peak Akebono bloom in early April and Kanzan running late April to early May. Timing shifts year to year with spring temperatures, so keeping your dates flexible is always the smart move.
What is the best spot for cherry blossom photos in Richmond?
Garry Point Park in Steveston for sheer scale and variety. Dover Crescent if you want something quieter with a richer, darker bloom. Both are worth knowing about depending on the feel you’re going for.
What time of day is best for cherry blossom photos in Richmond?
Sunrise or golden hour. The light is softer, the parks are quieter, and you’ll actually have space to move. Most popular Richmond spots fill up quickly on weekends during peak bloom, so arriving early makes a real difference.
What should I wear for a Richmond cherry blossom session?
Soft, muted tones work beautifully against pink backdrops. Light pink, sage green, lavender, cream, or soft white all photograph well. Avoid anything neon or all-black. Flowing layers and comfortable shoes for grassy paths, and a light jacket because Richmond gets breezy.
Can I book a Richmond cherry blossom engagement session with you?
Yes, and these are some of my favourite sessions to shoot each year. I take on a limited number of spring sessions and spots during peak bloom go quickly. Get in touch through my contact page and we’ll figure out timing together.
Is it worth doing a blossom session in Richmond if it might rain?
Absolutely. Light rain keeps crowds away, colours look richer, and the atmosphere becomes more intimate. Bring a clear umbrella and lean into it. Some of my most memorable spring photos have come from exactly those kinds of mornings.
The Bottom Line
Richmond doesn’t get nearly enough credit as a cherry blossom destination, and that’s a big part of what makes it so good.
Garry Point gives you scale and drama. Dover Crescent gives you a quiet Kanzan tunnel that most people have never heard of. Larry Berg gives you something genuinely unlike anywhere else. There’s a spot here for every kind of couple.
If you want to compare Richmond against the downtown Vancouver spots before deciding, I put together a full Vancouver cherry blossom location guide that covers David Lam Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Burrard Station, and more. Both guides together will give you everything you need to pick the right location for your session.
The bloom is short and the timing shifts every year. The couples who walk away with photos they love are the ones who plan ahead and don’t wait until peak bloom is already happening to start thinking about it.
If you’re considering a Richmond cherry blossom session this spring, head to my contact page and let’s figure out the timing and location together before the window closes.
