engagement session Archives | Olive Photography

High Park Cherry Blossom Engagement

May 15, 2015

They met in Taipei, then, as though living in a movie, they met up in many cities around the world before finally deciding to settle in together where he lived, in Toronto. Read their love story below to learn about why they chose a High Park cherry blossom engagement session! From the couple themselves:
“Our story is very simple, with just a tiny bit of a modern twist. We were both working too hard and didn’t have the time nor the luck to find the other half. Then we met online and everything just clicked so well and so soon. After meeting for the first time in Taipei (4 months into knowing each other), we knew we found our better halves. Over the course of the following year, we made plans to meet each other in different cities of the world since we both traveled a lot at work anyways. And by the 20th month or so we were engaged and I left my job, my family and my country behind and moved to the other hemisphere to start our new life together with him. As for why we wanted the cherry blossoms for our engagement session, it’s even simpler. Just like how we found each other, the Sakura photo is also a simple timing thing. Such a gorgeous bloom, so rare and precious, and just as luck would have it, it’s in season just around the same time as we were looking for engagement photos. So we figured, why not? This coincidence/timing is just like us, a sort of meant-to-be thing.”
Thank you for inviting me into your lives to document this special time, lovebirds. Though I am already booked on your wedding day, it was an honour to still spend time in the presence of your love and photograph your full-on, smile-inducing joy <3
If you love the look of Sakura blossoms you might enjoy this other cherry blossom engagement session!

With love,

Anastasia
Olive Photography
info@olivephotography.ca

Afternoon Engagement Photos – Challenge Accepted.

May 5, 2015

Today I went out and photographed during many photographers’ nightmare: Mid-Day Sun. (Eek!) Afternoon engagement photos can be quite challenging – If you’ve ever booked a session with a photographer chances are they’ve tried to schedule the session during sunset, sunrise, or some time other than noon or 1pm. There’s good reason for this – With the sun high up in the sky during mid afternoon it’s usually super bright, causing subjects to squint and creating harsh ‘hot spots’/bright spots to appear on faces and clothes, and generally the light can be quite strong and unforgiving. So, many photographers understandably avoid shooting during this time altogether. But, as much as other times may be favourable, we can’t always choose when a photo session will happen, and so it’s important to be equipped with techniques that make you adaptable in all sorts of situations. So, though I already have some techniques up my sleeve, I wanted to learn more, and I spent some time with another awesome Toronto photographer named Hugh Whitaker who had some awesome pointers – thanks again, Hugh! It was super fun taking some time to go out and shoot for fun – bonus that I got to hang out with some friends I hadn’t seen in a while on a beautiful day. (Shoutout to Monika and Dave for being such awesome models today – thanks, guys! And happy almost 3 year anniversary!) Though Mister Sun didn’t come out to play too much, I experimented with some new techniques I definitely plan to continue using. Anywho, thought I’d share a couple of photos from today’s Professional Development/fun shoot – it’s always nice learning and trying out new stuff! Mid-day Summer sun, maybe we can be friends? 😛

Cupcakes, Blankets & Tea: Louisa & Ben’s Cozy Fall Engagement

October 28, 2014

Hugs, a big warm blanket, cupcakes and soothing hot tea – these are the yummy things that filled this simple but amazingly lovely engagement session.
Louisa and Ben are two ridiculously sweet folks whose smiles just beam. They’re so cute together and this session just unfolded so naturally – the result: cozy, natural, love-filled photos that showcase the wonderful bond these two share.

Read at the bottom of this post for their love story!

And now some words from our lovebirds!

Our love story began with some popcorn and ice cream. We met through a mutual friend and starting hanging out by making dinners and going for walks. She never really realized that they were dating until one day, we saw a movie together, Crazy, Stupid, Love. She was going to buy her own ticket but he happily returned from the cash with two tickets and a large bucket of popcorn! Somewhere in between the sweet and savory, we fell in love. There wasn’t a defining moment when we knew we were meant to be; rather, it was a series of small details we noticed about one another that made us sure. She noticed the way he held his grandma’s hand on the stairs, the amount of ice cream that arrived in her fridge and ‘have a great day!’ post-its that began to appear everywhere. He noticed that she picked up on all the small details that make up the important parts of others’ lives, how things started to look brighter (i.e. cleaner) when she was around, and that he had met his match in her determined spirit. The love we had became one of those certain things in life, one that was undoubted and went on to grow comfortably and confidently. We experienced life’s ups and downs together for the past few years and continue to celebrate the big and little things that come our way. We are so excited to be married and continue to build our life together!

Liberty Village Engagement Photos

October 13, 2014

Liberty Village Engagement Photos

Well aren’t these two just cute as a button??

Isabella and Lukas mentioned they’re not usually comfortable in front of the camera, but I wouldn’t have known that if they hadn’t mentioned it – Isabella even thought she didn’t look good in photos… I beg to differ, miss!

Though they may not usually be comfortable around the camera it sure didn’t seem that way – maybe they’re just so comfortable being around each other, bringing the best out of one another. I’ve gotta say, these photos ooze comfort and coziness – Isabella and Lukas danced around, kept each other warm from the cold, gave the sweetest glances – they make me smile. It was super fun to be in the presence of such open hearts.

The day was definitely a bit brisk and the Fall air had a bite to it, but it was sweet to witness how Lukas held Isabella close to warm her up. Even sweeter to see the looks of pure smitten-ness in their faces and body language.

After some time outside we got to enjoy two beverages with each other. First, the two of them enjoyed a pint (Lukas joked that he should have had it at the start of the session since it warmed him up), then later we went to a nearby coffee shop to enjoy some hot tea and apple cider – mmm, like Autumn in a cup!

I had so much fun getting to know these two.

And now, some words from our lovebirds about their Love Story!
“Our love story was definitely not one of love at first sight. We met in middle school, where we found each other dorky and unappealing. A couple of years went by and a close friendship developed. At school we chose the same classes, would visit each other’s lockers, and laughed at each others jokes. We would phone each other nightly to discuss our latest crushes, often Isabella giving Lukas sage advice. We saw each other through several brief and awkward relationships. Eventually we got tired of our friends interrogating us about our developing affections for one another and the inevitable happened. We weren’t sure if it would last past prom, but more than eight years later we are now planning a wedding.

Despite having no phone service, Lukas planned his big proposal while working at a hospital in the tiny northern town of Moose Factory, Ontario. He chose our favourite winery to stage a private dinner, featuring all of Isabella’s favourite foods and wines. He got down on one knee and an emotional Isabella nodded a yes.

Our relationship has been through long distance, three university degrees, many travels and a beautiful proposal. Nevertheless, our relationship remains much like it began – two friends who laugh at each other’s jokes.

We look forward to sharing our special day with our family, friends and with Olive Photography!”

*Update!* These two are now married! Have a look at their wedding here!

Samantha & Darren – Engaged!

June 8, 2014

Samantha Darren Engagement LR WM-2
Samantha and Darren actually met 20 years ago (!!) way back in grade 7, then they went to high school together. Darren apparently had a thing for Samantha but she wasn’t ever ‘available’… Then, years later, they ran into each other and sparks flew. They’ve been inseparable ever since.

What a beautiful day it was when we did this engagement session, totally mirroring the full, open love these two share. I couldn’t help but smile as I witnessed how totally into each other they are – and how much they love their fur-baby Froggy! Froggy was a rescue puppy who was originally often caged and used just for racing, and they love her so much and wanted to include her in the photos. I love that.

Thanks for choosing me to document this time for you, guys. Was such a pleasure and I can’t wait to photograph your wedding on July 26th!
Read about their love story from Sam herself at the bottom of this post!

And now, some words from our bride-to-be!
“Darren and I first met in grade 7, and were part of the same circle of friends in high school, but lost touch afterwards. Over the years we would bump into each other in random places, and would ease into a great conversation. A chance encounter on April Fools, at a local sporting venue I was working at , lead into another a week later with plans to go to dinner soon. There was a lot of emailing and texting in between, but something instantly clicked that first night. Those feelingsintensified by that dinner, which ran seven hours! We talked endlessly and didn’t want the night to come to an end, but neither one of us was willing to risk making a “move” so soon. The following week, while working an event, I watched Darren as he came up the stairs to my area and thought to myself “I can’t just be friends with him!”. Lucky for me, Darren was thinking the same thing. By the end of the month we were a couple, but I guess you could say it was 20 years in the making.”
Samantha Darren Engagement LR WM-15

Elyse & Andrew – Engaged… Finally!

March 21, 2014

After a whopping 12 years together, this super fun pair are getting hitched!

It was a blast photographing this couple’s session – I’m so glad they won the giveaway contest!

They wanted to keep their session light-hearted and even silly at times, which was more than alright with me because the way they are together is gosh darned adorable.

Congrats, you two!