Vivian + Henry

There's a different energy to engagement sessions when you shoot them somewhere the couple actually spends time. For Vivian and Henry, that's Humber Bay. It's their neighbourhood, the place they walk through on a regular Wednesday, and it made a huge difference to how the evening felt. Nothing about it was staged.

You could tell within the first few frames how comfortable they are with each other. There was a lot of laughing, a few running hugs that weren't planned, little inside jokes I wasn't let in on. I don't mind that at all. When a couple is that easy together, my job mostly becomes staying out of the way and not missing anything.

The location does a lot on its own. We started near the water with the Toronto skyline across the bay, then wandered back through the paths that run between the condos. I always forget how much green space is tucked in there until I'm shooting in it. You get that contrast between the trees and the hard lines of the buildings, which is fun to work with because the backgrounds keep shifting every few minutes.

The light cooperated, which is always a bit of a gamble at this time of year. Golden hour came through the trees the way you want it to, long shadows down the path while they walked, that warm wash over everything.

Spending the evening walking around a neighbourhood with two people who are clearly into each other is a pretty good way to make a living. Vivian, Henry, thank you for having us. Already looking forward to the wedding.