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Engagement Session in the City
January 22, 2021
Liane and Victor wanted a photo engagement session in downtown Toronto and we certainly hit some major hot spots of our city! Osgoode Hall is one of my favourite non-permit locations where you have a beautiful mix of nature and architecture. It can be busy with weddings on the weekends, but photographers are usually pretty fair when dishing out the sweet spots.
A candid approach to Engagement Sessions
Our candid approach to engagement shoots allows couples to be as natural as they can be in front of the camera. For some people, this is their first time being photographed professionally so it can be daunting. Engagement shoots are a great time to practice being the focus, listening to direction, and being as natural as you can! Photographers and clients build a rapport shooting an engagement session and the purpose isn't just for cute photos - it is to prepare for the real deal on your wedding day!
Engagement session Photo Games
Some people need more direction than others, and that is seriously okay! Practice makes perfect, right? My go-to practice shots will involve asking my couples to hold hands and walk towards something. Alternatively, we will play a "shout-it-out-game" that instigates laughter or tears. In good time, you will eventually forget the photographer is even there!
Engagement session
People often underestimate the beauty of the city and think that natural settings are the "go-to" when allocating the best photographic scenes. I highly encourage my couples to find a non-permit location. Choose somewhere that is not over-saturated with tourists and somewhere that has a specific interest or activity. Getting couples to "do" something like go on their daily dog walk, get ice cream or riding rides at the EX, are all examples of activities where your goal is to "do" something. These are often very effective in photographs because you are in a natural element. Going out just to be photographed can feel contrived and forced for many people.
Make it meaningful to you
Not all sessions are like that though, and that is truly okay. Like Liane and Victor, they chose spots that were meaningful to them. The parking lot in Kensington was my favourite because it's off the beaten path. It was quiet and intimate and allowed them to relax more than the City Hall environment where they might have 20 on-lookers. Pick a location based on your personality and what will make you more comfortable. After all, it isn't every day you have a commissioned photographer follow you around while you express actions of love.
xx - april
Liane and Victor wanted a photo engagement session in downtown Toronto and we certainly hit some major hot spots of our city! Osgoode Hall is one of my favourite non-permit locations where you have a beautiful mix of nature and architecture. It can be busy with weddings on the weekends, but photographers are usually pretty fair when dishing out the sweet spots.
Practice Makes Perfect
Our candid approach to engagement shoots allows couples to be as natural as they can be in front of the camera. For some people, this is their first time being photographed professionally so it can be daunting. Engagement shoots are a great time to practice being the focus, listening to direction, and being as natural as you can! Photographers and clients build a rapport shooting an engagement session and the purpose isn’t just for cute photos – it is to prepare for the real deal on your wedding day!
Photo Games
Some people need more direction than others, and that is seriously okay! Practice makes perfect, right? My go-to practice shots will involve asking my couples to hold hands and walk towards something. Alternatively, we will play a “shout-it-out-game” that instigates laughter or tears. In good time, you will eventually forget the photographer is even there!
Create an Action
People often underestimate the beauty of the city and think that natural settings are the “go-to” when allocating the best photographic scenes. I highly encourage my couples to find a non-permit location. Choose somewhere that is not over-saturated with tourists and somewhere that has a specific interest or activity. Getting couples to “do” something like go on their daily dog walk, get ice cream or riding rides at the EX are all examples of activities where your goal is to “do” something. These are often very effective in photographs because you are in a natural element. Going out just to be photographed can feel contrived and forced for many people.
Make it meaningful to you
Not all sessions are like that though, and that is truly okay. Like Liane and Victor, they chose spots that were meaningful to them. The parking lot in Kensington was my favourite because it’s off the beaten path. It was quiet and intimate and allowed them to relax more than the City Hall environment where they might have 20 on-lookers. Pick a location based on your personality and what will make you more comfortable. After all, it isn’t every day you have a commissioned photographer follow you around while you express actions of love.
Olive Studio is a documentary based photography studio, specializing in unique, intimate and off-the-beaten track weddings. Our candid shooting style allows for couples to...
Liane and Victor wanted a photo engagement session in downtown Toronto and we certainly hit some major hot spots of our city! Osgoode Hall is one of my favourite non-permit locations where you have a beautiful mix of nature and architecture. It can be busy with weddings on the weekends, but photographers are usually pretty fair when dishing out the sweet spots.
A candid approach to Engagement Sessions
Our candid approach to engagement shoots allows couples to be as natural as they can be in front of the camera. For some people, this is their first time being photographed professionally so it can be daunting. Engagement shoots are a great time to practice being the focus, listening to direction, and being as natural as you can! Photographers and clients build a rapport shooting an engagement session and the purpose isn’t just for cute photos – it is to prepare for the real deal on your wedding day!
Engagement session Photo Games
Some people need more direction than others, and that is seriously okay! Practice makes perfect, right? My go-to practice shots will involve asking my couples to hold hands and walk towards something. Alternatively, we will play a “shout-it-out-game” that instigates laughter or tears. In good time, you will eventually forget the photographer is even there!
Engagement session
People often underestimate the beauty of the city and think that natural settings are the “go-to” when allocating the best photographic scenes. I highly encourage my couples to find a non-permit location. Choose somewhere that is not over-saturated with tourists and somewhere that has a specific interest or activity. Getting couples to “do” something like go on their daily dog walk, get ice cream or riding rides at the EX, are all examples of activities where your goal is to “do” something. These are often very effective in photographs because you are in a natural element. Going out just to be photographed can feel contrived and forced for many people.
Make it meaningful to you
Not all sessions are like that though, and that is truly okay. Like Liane and Victor, they chose spots that were meaningful to them. The parking lot in Kensington was my favourite because it’s off the beaten path. It was quiet and intimate and allowed them to relax more than the City Hall environment where they might have 20 on-lookers. Pick a location based on your personality and what will make you more comfortable. After all, it isn’t every day you have a commissioned photographer follow you around while you express actions of love.
