vancouver island

meet your

photographer

A woman with dark hair and a knitted beanie hat standing outdoors near a large body of water with an overcast sky.

Photography is more than just pressing a shutter—it’s the art of preserving a feeling.

Long after time has passed, a photograph has the power to pull you back, letting you relive emotions you thought were lost. It becomes a bridge between then and now, reminding you not just of where you were, but who you were in that fleeting moment.

A black background with the words "Cindy Malette" written in a white, cursive, neon-style font.

a few of my favourites

  • A black and white photo of surfers walking on rocks towards the ocean, carrying surfboards, with two surfers in the water, and large rocks on either side.

    Something I love to shoot:

    Surfers

  • A black and white illustration of a girl holding an umbrella in the rain, standing next to Totoro, a large, furry creature from the animated film My Neighbor Totoro. The girl has pigtails and a surprised expression. A paper lantern hangs on a pole nearby.

    Comfort watch:

    My Neighbor Totoro

  • A stand-up paddleboard lying on a rocky beach with the ocean and distant mountains in the background.

    My happy place:

    On the water with my paddleboard

  • The album cover for Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party.

    Album on repeat:

    Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party

  • A dog sitting on a rock in a forest, with a waterfall in the background.

    The goodest girl:

    Luna, lover of timbits and naps

  • A man with tattoos on his arm smiling as he holds a baby girl above his head. The baby is wearing a hat and a patterned shirt. The background is plain and light-colored.

    My heart and soul:

    Mo + Hazy

  • Black and white photo of overlapping tropical leaves.

    Favourite place I've travelled to:

    Maui, Hawaii

  • Black and white realistic pencil drawing of Oliver Sykes with detailed eyes, lips, and hair, on a white sheet of paper placed on a dark wooden surface, with two pencils beside it.

    My therapy:

    Drawing

  • A man mid-air playing dodgeball, holding a ball and wearing sports gear, with a facial expression of intensity and excitement.

    A movie I rewatch constantly:

    Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

  • A whale's tail emerging from the ocean surface.

    Favourite animal:

    Humpback whale

  • A bag of Miss Vickie's Sweet & Spicy Ketchup flavored potato chips in a black and white photo.

    Current hyperfixation:

    Sweet & spicy ketchup chips

  • Black and white photo of a bear walking along a riverbank surrounded by fallen tree logs and dense forest.

    A memory I always go back to:

    Seeing my first bear in the wild

  • Close-up of cherry blossom tree branches covered in clusters of white flowers against a pale sky.

    Favourite season:

    Spring

  • Takeout box containing French fries and fried chicken pieces.

    My guilty pleasure:

    Korean honey butter fried chicken

  • My coffee order:

    Cappuccino with oat milk

Two women in a living room; one with long hair taking a photo and the other with blonde hair in a black dress.

my approach

What I bring goes far beyond cameras and timelines: I’m drawn to both the quiet, emotional undercurrent and the bigger picture as it naturally unfolds. From the still, quiet seconds with your partner to the kind of laughter that makes you forget the camera is even there, I’m there as it unravels. Together, it becomes a story that feels layered, honest, and entirely your own.

And I’m not just there to take photos—I’m there to read the room, anticipate what matters, and give you the space to actually be in it. Whether it’s a wedding, proposal, or maternity session, this isn’t just about documenting something—it’s about honouring an experience as it’s being lived. From the smallest details to the overall flow, I’m in your corner the whole way through.

At the heart of it, my work is rooted in light, emotion, and instinct. I don’t over-direct or interrupt what’s real. You bring your story as it is, and I meet it with intention, awareness, and just enough presence to keep things grounded. What I value most are the moments that unfold naturally: the unscripted connections and the stolen glances you didn’t realize anyone noticed. The kind of moments that may feel small in passing, but mean everything later. What you’re left with is something real and lasting. Images that feel like memory—a little cinematic, a little imperfect, and yours to return to for decades to come.

One of my guiding principles is to intentionally improve the spaces I occupy, even in small ways.

A person walking down the middle of a road surrounded by tall moss-covered trees, with the sky visible through the canopy.
A person with blonde hair and a black jacket in a lush, green, moss-covered forest during daytime.

I’ve always felt a strong need to leave things better than I found them. Knowing that my actions can affect others pushes me to take greater responsibility for what I use and experience. I believe that small actions compound over time and creates a ripple effect—because if one person makes things better, it often inspires others to follow.

A person crouching on a rocky beach, holding a camera up to take a photo of the sky and seagulls flying overhead, with cloudy skies and distant mountains in the background.

my passion

I was fortunate enough to discover my passion for photography at a young age. On my childhood VHS tapes, you can see me extending my arms out to any camera or recording device that's in my reach so I could have a turn looking into the viewfinder and pressing the almighty shutter button. The obsession didn't stop there. During my early teenage years, my camera was glued to my hand whenever I stepped out of the house. Some of my fondest memories are comprised of impromptu outings with friends and my Fujifilm.

My passion continued to grow throughout high school and then in college, where studying the field helped me gain the knowledge and confidence I needed to transform my hobby into my profession. After graduating in 2013, I began professionally taking contracts, where I focused on levelling up my technical skills, learning new aspects of the industry, and perfecting my own style as a photographer.

Here we are over a decade later, and I have more passion for what I do now than ever before. Throughout my years of photographing couples and families, I've come to really understand what people are looking for in their photos—authentic moments that tell your story. I feel incredibly lucky that my subjects allow me to flex my creative freedom so we can achieve the most stunning photographs together. Think you’d vibe with me? Get in touch to set up a coffee chat!

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