Trish and Dean love the movie Up and so when they wanted to have balloons along for their engagement session, I was all for it. I mean, who doesn’t love that movie? It’s like saying you don’t like cute, cuddly puppies if you don’t like Up. And much like I imagine Ellie and Carl to be, Trish and Dean are just an incredibly fun couple to capture on camera. Constantly laughing, making hilarious faces and thrown in with a mix of tender moments, it felt so right to witness two individuals so clearly in love and so happy to be together.

We started out the day on that early Sunday morning at the Humber River Pedestrian Bridge and eventually made our way over to Kew Gardens and the Beaches. At the end of it all, it seemed absolutely fitting to give the dozen colourful balloons out to all the little children out for a Sunday play day with their parents in tow… the smiles on their tiny faces just said it all. Just perfect.

Trish & Dean: You are totally the real life Ellie and Carl. It’s so much fun watching you guys have fun and I can’t wait for your wedding day to come around. I know it’s going to be an amazing day and I’m so excited to be a part of it!

Much Love & Hugs, Jenne.

Just a note: Trish’s amazing make-up was done early Sunday morning by make-up artist, Rhia Amio.

For more images from Trish and Dean’s engagement session, CLICK HERE for a slide show!

When Ivona emailed me the day before her engagement session to let me know she had found the perfect location for the shoot, I was stoked. See, sometimes you just happen upon locations serendipitously. Up until that moment, we were all sort of unsure as to where to shoot this session. Both Ivona and Mark live in the Bradford area and I’m all the way down in Toronto so I had no idea what was where up their way… I decided to leave it to them and see what came about. Like I said, serendipity. They were driving around Newmarket the day before the shoot and came across a gorgeous horse farm. When they asked the owner if we could shoot on the property, she was more than happy to let us! Sometimes, it really doesn’t hurt to ask!

Both Ivona and Mark wanted a location with character and an earthy kind of feel. I can’t think of anything better than a beautiful farm with white roofs, barn walls painted blue and horses grazing in the meadows. Oh and hay… lots of hay. Mark definitely wanted hay. This is what I love! Each of the couples that I work with seem to come up with special locations that really reflect who they are and the session just flies by! Fantastic couple + equally fantastic location = one amazing engagement session!

Ivona & Mark: I had a lot of fun with you guys on this shoot! You’re both beautiful people and I can’t wait to document your wedding day in July.

Much Love & Hugs, Jenne.

One of my faves… the backlighting in the doorway of the barn was just heaven.

The blueness of the walls was just unreal! Just a perfect backdrop!

You guys seriously rocked this session!

The lighting inside the barn was equally amazing… Ivona, Mark - you guys picked a gem!

So gorgeous…

Mark knows how to hold his own too!

To see more images from Ivona & Mark’s session, CLICK HERE for a slide show!

When I met up with Shannon a while back to discuss photography for her wedding, she mentioned that she and her fiance Dan wanted to take photos at their cottage on Lake Huron for their engagement session. It wasn’t just any location either… there was much more sentimental value to the location even though they hadn’t owned it more than half a year when I sat down with Shannon. Their newly purchased cottage was where Dan proposed to Shannon… the first day they owned it. They had just closed the deal and signed the papers for the property when Dan led her down by the shoreline and to Shannon’s surprise (she really was surprised!), he asked her to spend the rest of their lives together.

I was already pretty excited for this shoot but my expectations were just blown away as soon as I saw the shoreline driving north of Goderich. The sight was breathtaking… and when they gave me a tour down on their beach and the surrounding area, I couldn’t stop gaping with awe at the gorgeousness around me. The water, the white sandy dunes and beaches, the tall blowing grass in the wind… everything about Lake Huron was stunning.

Shannon & Dan: You guys were amazing and you completely rocked your session. Thank you for inviting me out to your cottage to capture some sweet, fun moments between you two. I had a great time and everything about that afternoon was absolutely perfect. I can’t wait to document your wedding in September… good times!

Much love & hugs, Jenne.

Shannon’s just got the most radiant smile… so beautiful!

Right there… that’s where it happened. Right in that spot in this image, is where Dan asked Shannon to marry her!

One of my faves… Gotta love Dan’s expression!

There was a lot of playfulness happening… uncontrollable laughing and all!

I absolutely love this image… something about the way her legs cross and the overall image that makes me smile.

This is Legolas (a.k.a. Lego)… he is quite the furry creature and is clearly loved.

To see more images from Shannon and Dan’s session, CLICK HERE for a slide show!

When Sindy got engaged last year, I was so, so happy for her and Will but also a little bit nervous. There was always a little neurotic part of me that wasn’t sure if she and Will would want me to photograph their wedding. It didn’t matter that Will was an avid follower of my blog or that Sindy was one of my best friends… didn’t matter. There was always that niggling bit of self-doubt in the dark recesses of my overactive brain that I would never voice aloud (apparently, until now). So I held my breath really, really tight and waited for that moment when she started the preliminary planning of their wedding. Finally, we sat in her office one day (yes, we even work together) and asked me a question… “Do you want to photograph my wedding or be in the wedding party as a bridesmaid?” I let out a big exhale. Whhhaaaat???

Duh, didn’t even really consider that twist. Yes, there was a second option… to be a bridesmaid. But I digress. Going back to option number one, I was super excited that I could banish all of my pesky little doubts as if they had never even existed and focus on the fact that they really did want me to shoot their wedding! Now the crux of the matter… did I want to be a bridesmaid or the photographer? I wanted to enjoy Sindy and Will’s special day and I also really wanted to be the one to document their day. Yes, I’ll have the cake and I’ll eat it too… in fact, just put the entire thing in front of me and I’ll just devour it whole… with my bare hands, no fork necessary. That’s what I wanted.

Well clearly, I chose the former… extremely happily, I might add.

Sindy and Will met through a mutual friend and it’s been an interesting ride ever since. They met while Sindy and I were going through naturopathic college together and it’s been good times all around! I don’t actually think there is another man out there that is more perfect for Sindy. Their cutesy nature, especially her pet name for him (don’t worry Will, I won’t spill it on my blog for the entire Internet to know) and their tender moments of fun really shows off the love they share and their close bonds of affection.

Sindy & Will: There’s not a whole lot I can write on my blog that you don’t already know… Your wedding is going to be pretty darn fab and I’m really, really happy to be a part of that day as I document the next chapter in your life together.

Much love and tons of hugs, Jenne.

That’s Ava… rambunctious, not-so-puppy anymore!

Not quite sure what to say to this one!

Eating grass is Ava’s favourite thing in the whole world… Mmmm.

Doggy smoochies!

Gotta love me some beachside light!

One of my faves from the session… so many though, can’t quite choose!

This one requires a bit of explanation… Will was doing the jump-and-heel-click thing and I didn’t quite get the heel click part… just the awkward landing.

Another one of my faves… reminds of something out of an American Eagle ad or something…

Love the expressions… yup, another fave!

To see more images from Sindy and Will’s engagement sesh, CLICK HERE for a slide show!

I love meeting clients for their engagement shoots because, for the most part, I have no idea what to expect of them… whether it’s their personalities, little quirks or brilliant smiles… no expectations. That’s the fun part! It’s like opening a Cracker Jack box at a baseball game or like a Kinder Egg chocolate after you’ve gobbled the chocolate down and in that moment where you’re staring down at a cute orange shell - you just never know what little surprise you’ll find inside!

Leading up to this, I had no idea what would be in my Kinder Egg engagement shoot… it was just open and see. Maeghan and Andy (love how her name is spelled by the way!) blew me away with their quiet shyness and tender moments. It was so evident that they loved each other wholeheartedly and in those moments when they forgot the camera was there, the laughter, the glances and the unspoken but understood conversations were enough to carry out the day. Kinder Egg surprises are the best when you least expect what’s inside… engagement shoots are exactly like Kinder Egg surprises… only larger and lovelier.

Maeghan & Andy: I cannot wait to document your wedding day. The connection that I witnessed between you both has left me with tingly feelings of anticipation for your special day and I’m so happy I get the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing moment in your lives.

Much love and hugs, Jenne.

One of my faves… you guys rock!

Ryerson has some great locations for shooting… including this huge awesome window in the brick wall!

Love the peek-a-boo look on Andy’s face!

Love how Andy’s eye is just peeking out from behind Maeghan’s shoulder!

Fierce… absolutely fierce! I love it Maeghan!

For more images of Maeghan & Andy, CLICK HERE for a slide show!