VANCOUVER
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTIVE
Highlight
Photo by Kris Hooper
JUNE 2026 ITALIAN DAY
Commercial Drive has been the heart of Vancouver's "Little Italy" since Italian immigrant families settled the area in the 1940s and 50s, filling the street with cafés, delis, and bakeries that shaped its identity for generations. Italian Day itself dates back to 2010, when the Italian Day Festival Society revived the tradition, and it's now held annually on the second Sunday of June, transforming Commercial Drive into a lively celebration of music, food, and community spirit.
In June, members of the VanSPC hit the streets to capture the energy of Italian Day. From the crowded sidewalks to the vibrant street life, our photographers set out to document the sights, sounds, and spirit of one of Vancouver's most beloved annual celebrations. The result is a collection of candid, unscripted moments that reflect the unique perspectives each member brought to the day.
Explore the gallery page and see what caught the attention of our photographers’ lenses.
Background photo by James Houston
What’s On
John Brandrick
Each month, we shine a spotlight on one of our collective’s unique voices. Dive into the story behind the lens—learn what inspires their work, what drives their creative process, and discover their top tips for fellow photographers. Don’t miss their handpicked selection of three standout images. This month’s featured member is ready to shift your perspective.
Introducing Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are small, member-led groups within VanSPC focused on specific aspects of photography and photographic practice. These groups provide space for learning, discussion, and hands-on exploration around shared interests, allowing members to go deeper into the craft together.
From long-standing groups like the Photo Book Club to newer initiatives such as the Print Club and Show n’ Tell, SIGs reflect the evolving interests of the collective. Each group meets independently and contributes to the broader culture of learning, inspiration, and thoughtful engagement that defines VanSPC.
Check out our current VanSPC SIGS in the menu at the top of the page.
Barry Johnson
Barry Johnson was a beloved photographer, longtime supporter, and member of VanSPC whose work captured the spirit of the neighbourhood around East Broadway and Commercial Drive. Through his long-running project, The Hub, Barry created a powerful visual record of community, change, and everyday life in East Vancouver. His photographs remain a lasting gift to the city and to all who value the stories found in ordinary moments.
We invite you to visit the tribute page to celebrate Barry’s life, his work, and the legacy he leaves behind.
Recent
New Collective Members
VanSPC welcomes the following new members to the Collective:
Click on their names for their biographies, or click Discover to learn more about all our talented members.
May 2026 Photowalk
Granville Island
In the early twentieth century, Granville Island was a gritty, smoke-stacked industrial powerhouse packed with ironworks and corrugated tin factories. The area eventually fell into decay, but a spectacular rebirth in the 1970s transformed the industrial wasteland into a pedestrian-friendly public space where old warehouses were repurposed into artisan studios. Today, it stands as one of Vancouver's premier cultural hubs, where raw industrial history beautifully coexists with a brilliant explosion of art and community life.
This rich mix of heritage textures and modern brightness made it the perfect backdrop for our latest photo walk challenge. We assigned each photographer a single colour to hunt for, forcing them to look past the overall hustle of the island and isolate specific hues hidden within the landscape.
Explore the gallery page. Can you decode the assignments and guess which photographer had which colour?
