Mountain lake reflecting clouds and a blue sky among rocks

Nanaimo Β· Vancouver Island

Real moments, beautifully kept.

Natural-light portraits, couples, graduates and events β€” photographed with warmth, curiosity and care.

Our story

Made through friendship.

We met in Grade 11 photography class and found a shared love for the moments most people pass by.

Switzer's Photography grew from that friendship: a place for honest portraits, genuine connection, quiet details and the wild beauty around us. Amanda owns the business and photographs every session in Nanaimo with an easy, natural approach, while Sophie helps with editing part-time when school allows.

Come as you are. We'll help you feel comfortable, keep the session relaxed, and make images that feel true to you.

Meet Amanda & Sophie

Selected work

The way we see it.

Portraits, wildlife, landscapes and overlooked details β€” photographed in real light and real moments.

Sessions & pricing

Choose your story.

Every session is relaxed, guided and photographed with a focus on genuine expression. Choose what fits, or tell us what you have in mind.

Portraits

The Little Moment

$75

30 minutes Β· 10–15 edited images

Perfect for a quick session, updated portraits, or creating something simple and beautiful.

Book this session

The Full Story

$85

60 minutes Β· 25–35 edited images

More time to explore, move around, change locations, and let the session unfold naturally.

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Couples

The Two of Us

$95

60–75 minutes Β· 30–40 edited images

For the laughs, the quiet moments, the wind in your hair, and everything in between.

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Maternity & Newborn

Tiny Beginnings

$95

60–90 minutes Β· 25–30 edited images

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Graduates

The Grad Experience

$99

60–90 minutes Β· 40–50 edited images

Bring your cap, your people, your favorite place β€” we'll make it yours.

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Events & Celebrations

Custom

Starting at $99

Have something different in mind? Let's create it together.

Book this session

Baby showers, birthdays and school events include a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 4 hours. Time beyond 4 hours is billed at $75/hour.

The print collection

Bring the work home.

Choose a photograph and size, then send a print request through the contact form. There is no online checkout β€” we'll confirm the details, payment and delivery with you directly.

Any photograph from your session can also be ordered as a print.

Prices include GST, and prints come signed unless you'd prefer yours unsigned.

Kind words

β€œThe photoshoot I did with Amanda was amazing! She took her time and made sure the photos had good contrast and good backgrounds. She really takes pride in her photos and I'm very pleased with the results.”
β€” Lynden

Behind the business

Two roles, one shared story.

Amanda owns the business and photographs every session. Sophie helps out as a part-time editor while she's in school.

Owner & Photographer

Amanda

Amanda, photographer and owner of Switzer's Photography

At 19 years old, photography is more than a passion to me β€” it is a part of who I am.

I have loved photography for as long as I can remember. I have always noticed the things others might pass by: a genuine smile, light through the trees, or a quiet, imperfect detail. I see beauty in the strange, the real and the overlooked.

Growing up was not always easy. In high school, relentless bullying made the world feel deeply lonely, and there were days when it was hard to see anything good around me. Photography became my escape and the way I learned to find beauty again.

When I looked through my camera, the world felt different.

I notice patterns, expressions, emotions and small moments that might otherwise be missed. My camera gave me somewhere to put feelings I could not always express, and taught me that seeing differently could be a strength.

That is why I am building this business. I want the people I photograph to feel comfortable, accepted and seen β€” never as if they have to become someone else for the camera. To me, photography is not about perfection; it is about real people, real connection and the moments that make life meaningful.

Photography carried me through some of the hardest parts of my life. Now I want my work to help someone remember a person they love, a place they once stood, or beauty in an ordinary day.

I spent a long time feeling like I did not belong. Photography taught me that maybe I was meant to see the world differently β€” and that is exactly what makes my perspective worth sharing.

Editor & Manager

Sophie

Sophie, editor and manager at Switzer's Photography

I am an 18-year-old young woman who has always been someone who feels things deeply and sees the world a little differently.

I am alternative, creative, and social, and I love expressing who I am through my style, art, and personality. Being different has never been something I wanted to hide. It is a part of me that I have learned to be proud of.

My life has not always been easy. Living with diabetes has taught me that sometimes you have to be stronger than you feel. There are days when taking care of myself can be exhausting, but I have learned to keep going even when things are difficult. Diabetes has changed the way I look at life and has taught me to appreciate the small things that I might have taken for granted before.

I have always been drawn to helping and understanding other people, which is one of the reasons I chose to study medicine. Being in medical school is challenging, but it is also something I am proud of. I want to use what I learn to make someone else's difficult day a little easier. I know what it feels like to have struggles that other people cannot always see, and I hope that makes me a more understanding and compassionate person.

Outside of school, I love being creative, spending time with people I care about, and being able to express myself freely. I am still figuring out who I am and where my life will take me, but I know I want to live a life that feels true to me. My experiences have shaped me, but they do not define everything about me. They are simply pieces of my story, and I am excited to see what the next chapters brings.

Good to know

Questions, answered.

How do I book a session?

Send a DM to @aswitzers_photography on Instagram or email [email protected].

Where do sessions take place?

Outdoor locations around Nanaimo, BC β€” I'll suggest beautiful spots to match your vision.

What are fall minis?

A limited seasonal offer: 20 minutes, 8–10 edited photos, $55, October 19–23, 10am–6pm, only 10 spots. Book by DM or email.

Do you travel outside Nanaimo?

Currently booking sessions in Nanaimo, BC only.

Let's make something meaningful

Tell us what you have in mind.

Completing this form does not send your inquiry. Select β€œOpen email draft” to open your own email app with a pre-filled message, then review it and press send yourself. Amanda owns the business and photographs every session in Nanaimo, BC, with Sophie helping with editing when school allows.

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