Ward's Island Engagement Session Archives

Toronto Island Engagement Session – Amanda & Markus

November 11, 2015

Toronto Island Engagement Session

When I first heard from Amanda and Markus, I learned that their dog’s name is Olive. ‘It’s meant to be!’, I thought. What a nice coincidence! I was thrilled to meet Olive at the start of their engagement session – their sweet, energetic, totally loving cutie pie pup. She’s one of those dogs who doesn’t realize how big she is and she’ll plop right down in your lap – so endearing. We went for a walk around their Cabbagetown neighbourhood exploring some of their favourite streets and taking in the rather warm Fall day.

After a few photos with Olive we brought her back home then visited a neat local coffee shop called The Skullery. Talk about good coffee! Seriously, if you’re a coffee fan, go there. It’s gooood. I got a cortado (basically a latte with less milk) and a delicious chewy ginger cookie. Yum!

After that we took the ferry to one of my absolute fave places in the city. If you’ve followed my blog for a while you may know which place I’m talking about. That’s right, Ward’s Island! Markus plays Disc Golf (I kept thinking they were saying ‘Disco’) on the island and they visit there often, so it was a fitting way to cap off their e-sesh. They (and I) don’t usually go in the Fall, so it was nice to experience it in a different light.

They brought the loveliest blanket (wrapped in a cool, convenient leather carrying strap), and two campy and amazing metal mugs with a thermos of one of their favourite coffees. There was lots of cozy canoodling, and all was well.

I really enjoyed my time with these two – totally felt like we were friends who had known each other for a long time, just hanging out.

Guys, thanks for having me along during this super exciting part of your story – can’t wait for your wedding at Airship 37 next October!

—

Awesome Toronto Vendors:

– Cafe: The Skullery – http://thescullery.ca/
– Pendleton Blanket, her scarf, his pants, non-sweater shirts and the bear camp mug: North Standard Trading Post (in Parkdale) – owned by their friends – http://northstandard.com/

– The other camp mug (‘The Adventure Starts Here’): Labour of Love (in Cabbagetown) – http://www.thelabouroflove.ca/

– Thermos: Hudson’s Bay Company (also sold at North Standard) – https://www.thebay.com

– Coffee in the thermos: Pilot Coffee Roasters – http://www.pilotcoffeeroasters.com/

Ward’s Island Engagement Session

April 23, 2015

We decided Ike and Susan should have a Ward’s Island engagement session because it is close to their home and, well, let’s just be honest, it’s amazing.

The Toronto Island is one of my favourite places to hang out, so I’m always excited to shoot there – any excuse to spend time there and I’m in! Even in the Winter… It’s just magical.

It was neat that we could actually see Ike and Susan’s building from the island – as the sun set it was pretty incredible to see the warm glow of the sun radiating not just over the skyline, but also through all the condo/office windows! Like our very own real life shadow box.

While on the island we had a bevvy at The Rectory Cafe, then strolled along the various picturesque spots the island has to offer – and I got to revel in the cuteness that this couple has to offer!

Thanks so much for a wonderful first visit of the season to the island, guys! And I cannot wait for your wedding super soon! 2 more weeks!! <3 <3
Update! These two got married! Check out their wedding photos here!
And feel free to explore some other Toronto Island engagement sessions here and here 🙂

Toronto Beach Engagement Session

November 4, 2014

These high school sweethearts are so beautiful inside and out.
I joked that they look like J. Crew models, and funnily enough someone else told me the same thing the next day!

We got a few shots in the city then took a ferry across from Toronto’s bustling downtown to the calming, totally beautiful island, and had fun enjoying the nature and our time together. (That’s grape juice, not real wine, in those beach photos – kept it legal!)

And here’s their love story, written by groom-to-be Nico:

“It sounds like the plot of a cheesy teen flick from the 90’s, but our story kicks off with the two of us – shy high school students nursing a secret crush on each other – finally connecting at our prom after-party. What followed next was a trip to Pinery Provincial Park with some mutual friends, our first kiss, and then our first date in July 2007. Originally intended as a low-key affair at a coffee shop, our date took a turn for adventure when Kelsey mentioned that she wanted to leave the city to see the stars. Not wanting to appear ‘un-manly’ by consulting a map, I decided to simply pick a direction and drive that way until we spotted stars. We returned after some star-gazing well past Kelsey‘s curfew (thanks to getting horribly lost), much to the displeasure of her parents (although they’ve since forgiven me)!

A life together followed, from attending university in Guelph, Ontario to teaching English abroad in Sendai, Japan. Already alike in so many ways, we grew to become best friends as our relationship and love for each other blossomed. Seven years and two weeks later, I proposed to her at the same spot on the beach where we shared our first kiss. Kelsey made me the happiest man in the world that day when she said yes. I know I speak for the both of us when I say that we are so blessed to have met each other and that we are beyond excited to spend the rest of our lives together!”