CNE Engagement | Laura + Jay

He's a designer at Audi Konzept in Munich. She's a graphic designer in Toronto. They met on a designer platform online, fell in love, and date for two years before they met in person in Toronto. When Laura looked at Jason, there's admiration in her eyes. When Jay looked at Laura, there's love in his. Going to the Canadian National Exhibition (the Ex) was an annual family tradition of Jay's since he's small. Jay's visiting Toronto this time of the year and the two of them decided to have their engagement session done in this special place. I had only been to the CNE twice myself. Frankly, I used to think that it's overrated. Jay and Laura showed me a new perspective. It's indeed a place full of fun and joy and it's not because of the many game stations nor the revolutionary food offerings but the spirit of family and friend gatherings. Most couples felt somehow awkward with engagement sessions in the public. Jay and Laura were no exception given the fact that the CNE was especially busy compared to other places/ events in Toronto. But they were able to relax quickly and focused on each other's company. The bond between them was strong. At the end of the session as the sun was setting, I thought to myself what a romantic place CNE could be too. It's fun, joyful and romantic. What a unique location for engagement photos it was. Congratulations Jay and Laura. I will see you again when you get married!

xoxo,
Ally

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.

Click to see more alternative engagement photo ideas:

Intimate Home Engagement

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 

Post Wedding Photoshoot | Anna + Dave, Part 3

Click to see part 1 and part 2 of Anna and Dave's wedding day at The National Club.

I was thrilled when Anna reached out to me for a post-wedding photo shoot. In Asia, brides and grooms were accustomed to a pre-wedding photoshoot where brides and grooms put on their wedding gown and suit prior to their wedding day and have the leisure of getting their wedding portraits done in studio or outdoor without the stress of a busy wedding day. A post wedding photoshoot is the same idea but as the name suggests it takes place after wedding.  Both pre-wedding photo sessions and post-wedding photo sessions give the bride and groom more time to enjoy not just the process of taking wedding portraits but also each other's company in such an intimate time. Pre-wedding photoshoot sometimes replaces an engagement session. Personally, I find an e-session essential as it's more relax and personal. I like to call engagement sessions a lifestyle photoshoot. If possible, I prefer the wedding day photography to be dominantly photojournalistic as those moments and interactions and emotions with and in front of loved ones are so precious. It worths every effort to document. It's a luxury for a candid wedding photographer to focus on documenting a wedding day as it is. That's where the post wedding photoshoot comes in handy. On one hand it helps the bride and groom to take some stress out and focus on enjoying the wedding day and on the other hand it allows the bride and groom to feel for the intimacy as wife and husband once again soon after a busy wedding day which often goes by too quickly. From their engagement photos to their wedding day photos to these post wedding photos, I witnessed the love between Anna and Dave evolved. At least that's how I felt when I looked at their photographs. 

Lots of love,

Ally