Roxy + Mike

Laissez Faire, Toronto, Engagement

An intimate moment as the couple embraces against a wall.

Some sessions barely feel like work, and Roxy and Mike's was one of those. Spent the afternoon walking around their part of Toronto, hitting their regular spots, basically just tagging along on a really good day.

We kicked things off at Laissez Faire. The light in there is unreal, warm and a bit moody, with all the vintage stuff hanging around. They popped a bottle of champagne at the bar and that was pretty much it for any first-shoot nerves. You could tell right away these two are properly into each other. Lots of laughing, lots of those quiet looks that don't need a caption.

From there we headed out into the streets. This pocket of the city is one of my favourites for engagement sessions, just texture and colour everywhere. We bounced between graffitied alleys and a few of the bigger mural walls, including the big cartoon one I'd been wanting to use. Roxy and Mike have a style that just fit the whole vibe, so it was mostly a matter of pointing them at a wall and getting out of the way.

We stopped for snacks and coffee somewhere in the middle, and honestly those in-between moments ended up being some of my favourite frames. Not much posed, just them. The last stretch was a narrow laneway lit up with string lights, the two of them walking hand in hand, and it felt like the whole afternoon landed exactly where it needed to.

This is the kind of engagement session I live for; "A day in the life of..."

Roxy and Mike share a moment at a table in Laissez Faire.

A close-up of the couple holding hands, showing Roxy's ring.

A creative shot focusing on the champagne as the couple kisses.

The couple shares a look against the brick wall at Laissez Faire.

Mike smiles warmly at Roxy from across the table.

Roxy shares a genuine laugh while sitting with Mike.

Roxy and Mike embrace in a booth under ornate light fixtures.

A creative, motion-filled photo of the couple about to kiss.

Roxy and Mike pose in front of the Laissez Faire sign.

Roxy and Mike walk and laugh along a city street.

A creative shot with Mike in focus and Roxy in the foreground.

Mike embraces a joyful Roxy from behind in an urban alley.

Mike playfully drinks from the champagne bottle as Roxy watches.

A full-length portrait of Roxy in the urban alley.

A stylish portrait of Roxy against the graffiti wall.

A portrait of Roxy in an alleyway with a colorful floral wall.

Roxy and Mike share an intimate moment in the flower alley.

The couple walks and talks along a graffiti-lined street.

Roxy laughs as she and Mike walk past a green door.

The couple walks past a bicycle in a Toronto alley.

A happy, candid shot of Roxy and Mike crossing the street.

A pigeon takes flight from a brick building.

A wide, dramatic shot of the couple and the large mural.

The couple stands by a neon sign that reads 'Have A Nice Day'.

Roxy and Mike smiling at each other in front of the red wall.

A creative, stylish portrait of the couple and the poster wall.

A creative portrait focusing on Mike in the alley.

An intimate moment with the couple against the brick wall.

Roxy and Mike walk hand-in-hand down an alley with string lights.

Roxy and Mike walk across a quiet city street in the fall.

A genuinely joyful moment of the couple laughing together.

The couple crosses a street with the CN Tower in the distance.

A creative motion-blur shot of the couple walking.

Mike playfully points while crossing the street with Roxy.

A candid moment of laughter as the couple crosses the street.

A candid moment of the couple eating together.

Roxy and Mike hold up their snacks, smiling at each other.

The couple leaves the cafe, laughing and holding coffee.

A joyful, candid moment by the pink doughnut shop wall.

A candid shot of the couple laughing together on the street.

The couple laughs together while leaning against the mural.

Roxy and Mike share a big laugh while walking.

Roxy throws her head back in laughter next to Mike.