Guelph Engagement Session - Nadine and Mike

The first half of an engagement session is always the hardest.  Having an almost-stranger follow you around, boss you around, telling you to stop fake smiling, put your hand here, his hand there.  Look at each other, look at me, now make out like I'm not here .. It's awkward, plain and simple.

But then you start to loosen up.  You start to crack jokes with each other, laugh naturally.  And by the end of it, you may not have forgotten I was there, but you noticed I was less bossy.  I don't need to tell you to smile anymore, because you're already smiling at each other.  You don't have to pose, to make sure you're looking a certain way - you're being natural.

Those are the moments I wait for.

Nadine and Mike's engagement session started at an amazing location, Scotsdale Farm.  When they walked across the parking lot with their dog Paco beside them, I knew, even if they were a little unsure, that it was going to be a good day.

Congratulations on your engagement, Mike & Nadine!  Thank you for choosing me as your photographer, and I hope I managed to put you a little bit at ease.

Be sure to check out and 'like' my Facebook page for more images from their Scotsdale Farm engagement session.

Guelph Engagement Session - Elissa and Tyler

There's a saying about the best laid plans, and I find more often than not, it's true.  You can plan everything, every detail right down to the smallest of things.  There's nothing wrong with planning.  Nothing at all.  The trick is being able to roll with the punches after something small (or large) goes awry with those plans.  Not only can this be kept in mind for weddings, but for engagement sessions as well.

Tyler proposed to Elissa at a local farm, and the couple had their heart set on having engagement photos taken there, and Elissa planned everything perfectly.  When that location didn't work out at the last minute, the three of us scrambled to find another location or two.  Although Tyler & Elissa were disappointed, they rolled with the punches, and we found other great spots to use, like the University of Guelph Arboretum and Nauman's Farm.

I can only imagine that this is a perfect example of how their wedding will go - planning the details to a T, but remembering that it's not the details that count, it's the experience.   Congratulations Elissa & Tyler - I can't wait for your wedding!

Be sure to stop by  and 'like' my Facebook page for a few more images of their Guelph Engagement Session!