It's not difficult to find the perfect spot for the best engagement photos in Toronto.
Read MoreRoncesvalles Urban Engagement Photos | Soula + Theo
Vibrant city lifestyle photos from an urban engagement session in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood in Toronto.
Read MoreSpring Engagement Photos in Toronto | Annum + Abdullah
As a documentary wedding photographer specialized in making candid, in-the-moment pictures, I used to struggled with engagement sessions. Like many of my marrying couples, posing is not my favourite thing. As time goes by, I do have a different perspective and appreciate an engagement session before the wedding day. So are most of my clients. My brides and grooms are happy with a casual portrait session that gets them used to the camera and they always find the engagement pictures come out more natural than they've expected. I also learn to have a lot of fun with alternative and creative approach to posing. This engagement session with Annum and Abdullah in Allan Gardens in downtown Toronto is no exception. We are originally planning for a Spring engagement but as unpredictable as Toronto's weather can get, there's no surprise that we have to make last minute changes to the previous engagement idea. Allan Gardens is a perfect, alternative indoor space for good quality lighting and some green which most of the other indoor locations lack. I'm certainly adding Allan Gardens, this amazingly decent greenhouse to my list of favourite unique engagement locations in Toronto. Especially in the Toronto winter or a belayed Spring, what's better than staying in the warm but still creatively getting images like those taken out in the nature. These images, some natural candids and some artistically posed portraits, truly reflect these two's fun personalities and strong connection to each other. I can't wait to photograph Annum and Abdullah's Milton wedding in May!
Engagement Photo Ideas - Intimate Home Engagement
I'm writing a series on alternative engagement photo ideas.
Engagement sessions are something that many brides-to-be and grooms-to-be often struggle with. It's a love-hate relationships to some. They love to have some photos done but they feel awkward by the whole idea.
Many of my couples share the same concern that they're not the most enthusiastic when it comes to having their photos taken. Many feel that engagement sessions are not necessary and even embarrassing. It's perfectly understandable that not everyone is comfortable of having pictures done in the public, not to mention being intimate when others are watching.
Home engagement sessions are intimate, romantic and relaxing. Engagement photos done at home are perfect for couples who want their intimate moments to be documented but might be too shy to do it in public. Although you still have to bare with me being there. making those photographs. I promise I will be as quite and unobtrusive as possible.
Another benefit of an engagement session at home is that not only it can document the space you two have been living in together, the pictures also can be a piece of evidence of some of the details and routines in your everyday life. As simple as making a pot of Sunday morning coffee together to perhaps integrating your beloved dogs or cats in some of the images. It's surprisingly sweet when you look back to those moments. With a documentary approach, it's also more relaxing and natural for you as a couple to be photographed. Not every engagement picture has to be kissing and hugging. Capturing a subtle interaction between the two of you and an eye contact can be romantic and intimate as well.
Click to see more alternative engagement photo ideas:
Engagement Photo Ideas - Winter Engagement
I'm writing a series on alternative engagement photo ideas.
Engagement sessions are something that many brides-to-be and grooms-to-be often struggle with. It's a love-hate relationships to some. They love to have some photos done but they feel awkward by the whole idea.
Click to see a more recent Winter Engagement at the Bluffs and here to see a Engagement Session in the Snow.
Winter is the quietest time in Toronto for good reasons. The weather is unpredictable and when it's cold it can get really cold. My fingers often freeze when I shoot a winter engagement. But for the same reason, this can be the best timing for couples who want to avoid the crowd when their engagement pictures are being taken. Also for brides and grooms who plan their weddings not far ahead, the timing for an e-session can be limited and a winter session might be just inevitable.
For those who want to stay warm, an indoor session is ideal. When it comes to indoor engagement session, location scouting is the key. I generally prefer spacial interiors, abundance of natural lighting and interesting elements to play with for creative portraits and documentary style images.
Another benefit of a well-planned indoor winter engagement photo session is that we can always head out for a little bit of winter vibe. That way, we can have our beautiful Toronto winter captured but can still dress lightly in the cold weather and not freeze ourselves to death.
Another obvious and more adventurous option for winter engagements is to pick a outdoor location and commit to bearing with the cold. It can be well worth it especially if we time the snow correctly. Outdoor winter portraits are gorgeous. Faces are elegantly lit by the light reflected from the snow. Snow engagements are also unique as not that many cities are blesses with the charming snow weather like Toronto. Finding a location that can showcase the snow is the key when it comes to a snow session. Brides-to-be can also wear their beloved winter coats and boots for the shoot. I suggest preparing a plan b when it comes to winter engagement shoots so no one get disappointed by the weather.
Scarborough Bluffs Engagement | Jessica + Al
Jessica and Al were the fighters. The two had been through a lot together. Truly in sickness and in health, the two were ready to tie the knot and spend the rest of their life supporting and loving each other. Jessica was also a big fan of photography. She appreciated creativity and originality. It gave me certain pressure and a lot of fulfillment as a photographer to document their connection and love for each other. For their engagement session's location, we chose the mighty Scarborough Bluffs. Their wedding's taking place in a barn in Cambridge so an e-session in Toronto's water front was something different. I also felt the bluff signified something strong and unbeatable. I felt that it's a good for for these two resilient minds. Jessica and Al reminded me of a Rocky's quote. "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward". I wasn't sure if I fully comprehend the idea but I still felt like I can smell the difference of people who had been through challenges in life. There's that undeniable toughness in their skin, in their breath, in their eyes. Jessica and Al were soul mates and partners in crime. I can't wait to document their wedding in the summer!
Lots of love,
Ally