Hidden Gems & Golden Light
There are places you stumble into that feel like they were made just for photos — places with wild textures, dreamy light, and a little bit of magic in the air. That was Dundas Valley Conservation Area.
When Cierra and Matt suggested it for their engagement session, I hadn’t been before — and now? I’m obsessed.
From railway tracks lined with vintage train cars to sun-drenched forest paths and 19th-century ruins, this session had everything. It felt like walking through history, storybook backdrops included.
A Station from Another Time
We started at a charming Victorian railway station with antique coaches and weathered tracks. Between the rust-red metal, the soft gravel crunch, and Matt & Cierra’s laughter, the vibe felt effortlessly cinematic.
Honestly, we could’ve done the whole session there — it was that good. But the forest was calling.
Into the Woods
As soon as we stepped into the trees, everything softened. Light filtered through the branches in all the right ways. The ground was covered in tiny blue and white wildflowers (which only bloom for a short time each year!), and it felt like we’d walked straight into a fairytale. It was peaceful. Romantic. The kind of quiet you only find in places like this.
We wandered deeper into the conservation area, stopping when we found soft clearings, moss-covered roots, and spring-fed creeks. This is the kind of spot that reminds you why outdoor engagement sessions are the best — especially when the weather, light, and chemistry all line up just right.
The Hermitage Ruins
One of the most incredible parts of Dundas Valley is The Hermitage — the stone remains of a 1800s mansion that burned down long ago. What’s left is hauntingly beautiful. Towering walls. Archways open to the sky. Shadows that dance across crumbling brick.
Cierra and Matt were total champs as we explored the ruins (despite the mosquitoes going hard that day 😅). These two have such an easy connection — they laugh a lot, they trust the process, and they were totally down for the adventure. That kind of energy always leads to the best photos.
Want More Engagement Shoots in Nature?
Here are a few more outdoor engagement sessions we’ve done across Ontario that bring a similar vibe:
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How to Choose a Location for the Engagement Session
Do try to choose a location that is meaningful and special to you both as a couple. It could be where you first met, where you had your first date, or where you got engaged.
Do consider local spots you love to visit together, such as coffee shops, markets, or your favourite park to stroll in.
Do remember you can keep it simple and have your shoot done at home for cozy and relaxed photos.
The Humber Bay Park engagement session of Dominic and Michael was shot with just a couple months to go before their big day! Now, with just a few weeks left, we are so giddy with anticipation for their same-sex wedding at The Factory Lounge! Dominic and Michael arrived for their engagement shoot in awesome black and white matching tracksuits, and each was holding a giant balloon, one white and one black, a ying-yang representation of their relationship.
Rockwood Conservation Area near Guelph is a photographer’s playground. With so many unique elements to capture, it is an absolutely wonderful space for an outdoor woodsy engagement photoshoot. When Patricia and Habib asked our thoughts on capturing their engagement photos at Rockwood, we immediately said yes! Is it a bit of a mission to get to? Yep, but we love adventure!