webster falls engagement | lindsay + jeremy

Lindsay and Jeremy's engagement session was a very special one, for three reasons:

1. These two are the best! Although Lindsay and I went to the same high school, she was a bit older than me and I haven't seen her in many years, but upon meeting at the site of the photos, she was just as friendly as ever. Jeremy is a very easy-going person with a kind smile and a lot of love for his future wife. As we explored the area surrounding Webster Falls, Lindsay and Jeremy kept cracking me me up. Lindsay has a rollicking sense of humour, and her infectious laugh kept up the high energy of our early-morning session.

2. I had the opportunity to do this engagement session by way of Lindsay's sister, Shannon. Shannon is the dreamer and the doer behind the Barter Babes Project, an enormous and inspiring undertaking that sees Shannon bartering financial advice for goods and/or services from 300 women. I met with Shannon in December 2010 for my financial consultation and I can say wholeheartedly that it was the best thing I did for myself last year. She has a vast knowledge of all things financial, and a fantastic knack for breaking it down and making it make sense for the average person.

When I met with Shannon, she knew that Jeremy was planning to propose to Lindsay the following week, and she requested that I trade an engagement session in exchange for her expert advice. Shannon actually bartered for all of her Christmas gifts this year. I was thrilled to have this awesome opportunity, and was so excited for Lindsay and Jeremy!

3. This engagement session was also special because it was the first one one which I was joined by Brian. He came along as a second shooter and took a lot of amazing photos. After generally working alone, it was a real treat to have the support and the additional photos from a second person. It was extra cool to have that person be my new husband!

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And now, onto the photos of the lovely couple. As I mentioned, we headed to Webster Falls, which are located in Dundas (just outside of Hamilton) Ontario. The morning light was soft and pretty, working perfectly with the mist from the falls.

Lindsay and Jeremy, thank you so much for getting up early on a Saturday to come hang out with me and Brian. We had a fantastic time with you guys, and wish you the very best of luck with the rest of your wedding planning. 

ottawa engagement | jennie + zach

The first time Jennie met Zach was actually the second time.

The first time, it was Halloween and he was dressed as a 70s cop, complete with a dirty faux mustache, skin-tight pants, and a pair of handcuffs he was twirling theatrically.

The second time they met, clean-shaven and wearing much looser pants, Zach re-introduced himself. After the recognition slowly kicked in, Jennie found herself looking into the eyes of someone with whom she planned to spend a lot more time.

The first time I met Zach, it was Halloween the following year. He arrived at our apartment dressed for the party as a Coureur-des-bois with Jennie by his side as a beaver. Even through all their Canadiana costume garb, I could see that they had fantastic chemistry. I saw that my best friend had met her match in a man whose love for costumes matched up perfectly with her knack for sewing them.

Since that night, Brian and I have spent just about every Halloween with these two. Zach has a flair for the dramatic and Jennie creates costumes more striking and impressive for him with each passing year.

Last Halloween, Zach had even more exciting plans. He placed the small box in his coat pocket and the two of them headed out with some friends to catch a screening of The Shining. After the movie, Zach suggested they take a stroll to Ottawa's Parliament Hill, where they'd shared their first kiss. Unfortunately, Jennie had had a bit too many refreshments during the movie and was in desperate need of a bathroom break. Reluctantly, Zach agreed to head home.

Once back in their apartment, it was Zach who couldn't hold it. As soon as Jennie stepped out of the bathroom, he dropped to one knee on their bedroom floor--amidst the laundry in the home they share together-- and asked her to marry him.

As a couple, they have an infectious positive energy and joy that enchants everyone who meets them. Jennie was one of the maids of honour in our wedding, and Zach was a groomsman, and they are two of my best friends in the world. I am so excited for their wedding next year!

Jennie and Zach, I love you both, and you knew that already, but I really loved taking your photos. I had so much fun with you in Cumberland Village, just as I do every time we hang out.

old montreal engagement | ria + don

"I'm the crazy-scrambly-late one and he's the shirts-folded-up-and-laid-out-the-night-before one," Ria joked she as she explained how she and her fiancé, Don, prepared for their engagement photo session.

"I guess that can be said of our relationship in general, though."

It's this balance the scattered and calculated, the silly and the serious that create such a lovely harmony between these two. Her effervescence is met by his quiet charisma, and when she feels she's acting the goofiest, that's when he's smiling the widest.

Ria and Don met at the University of Alberta, where they were both studying at the time.

"He was much older than me, but no, he wasn't my TA if that's what you're wondering," Ria joked.

It was in fact their shared passion for science that brought them to the same lab, where they met. Don't you love stories of people finding love while doing what they love? That's the best way, I think.

They're both still doing what they're truly passionate about; Ria's doing her PhD in Biology in Montreal and spending summers doing field research in Uganda, and Don is a postdoctoral medical researcher in Boston.

So now they're not only becoming experts in their fields, but also in cross-border travel. The roads, train tracks and air space between their two cities are becoming very familiar as they traverse towards each other as often as possible.

Ria and Don, thank you for inviting me to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon with you. I had an absolute blast taking your photos and witnessing your adorable antics in Old Montreal.