Cristina & Devon’s Cozy, Queer Engagement Session by the Lake
This one hit a little different. Not just because it was beautiful, but because it felt like a full circle moment.
Cristina and Devon wanted a fall engagement shoot before their winter wedding, and they chose Scarborough Bluffs as their location. It had been years since I photographed there. Honestly, my last memory of the park wasn’t the best. The area was under construction, messy, and not the kind of place you’d imagine for dreamy engagement photos. But this time? It was completely transformed. The fall colours were popping, the park looked freshly restored, and it felt like stepping into a whole new space. I couldn’t believe it was the same spot. And shooting there with Cristina and Devon made it even more special.
It was chilly by Lake Ontario, but these two brought the heat, literally and figuratively. They rolled up with the most practical fall engagement accessory ever, a dolly filled with coats and supplies, and the energy was high from the start. I kept telling Devon to keep Cristina warm, and those snuggly moments turned into some of my favourite shots from the session.
Cozy vibes, crafty touches, and the best energy
Cristina is the crafty one in the relationship, and she handmade the soft, neutral-toned crochet blanket we used during golden hour. We wrapped them up in it as the sun started to dip behind the trees, and the results? Pure magic.
They laughed, danced, explored the trails, and leaned into every moment. For a shoot that wasn’t super long, we packed in so many great scenes. Forest trails, lakeside cliffs, colourful leaves, and that soft fall light that makes everything glow. Honestly, I didn’t want it to end.
A personal throwback
What Cristina and Devon didn’t know was that Scarborough Bluffs was the very first place I ever photographed an engagement session, nearly a decade ago. Back then, I had no idea what I was doing. It was winter. I was nervous. And now, standing in the same place, photographing two amazing women in love, it felt like coming full circle. This shoot reminded me why I love what I do.
Building excitement for the winter wedding
We already knew their wedding would be incredible. This session confirmed it. Cristina and Devon brought that perfect mix of chill and chemistry, the kind that makes you excited to hang out with them again, especially with a snow-covered winter wonderland as the backdrop.
They’re a couple who does things their way, and it shows.
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