Dominic and Michael arrived for their Humber Bay Park engagement session in matching black and white tracksuits, carrying two enormous balloons. One black, one white. I still have questions about how they fit those things into the car, but I was very happy they made it to the shoot.
Their summer evening by the Toronto waterfront had a lot going for it: Lake Ontario, skyline views, Just Engaged hats and two people who kept finding reasons to pull each other closer. There were also mosquitoes. Plenty of them. Fortunately, Dominic and Michael were much more interested in each other and the photos we were making.
Matching Outfits, Giant Balloons and Just Engaged Hats
The black and white styling gave this session a really clear look. Their tracksuits worked together, the balloons carried the same idea through, and the hats made their excitement about getting married part of the photos. They had put thought into what they brought, and we had a lot of fun using it.
One of my favourite details is the fist bump with their Just Engaged hats. It is such a simple thing, but it says plenty about the energy of the session. Alongside the hugs and kisses, there was room for them to joke around and be playful.
If you are deciding what to wear for engagement photos, start with clothes you enjoy wearing and can move around in. Matching outfits can absolutely work when you love the idea. Dominic and Michael committed to the black and white look, and it gave us something fun to build the photos around. Choose something that makes you excited to turn up together.
Candid Engagement Photos Along the Toronto Waterfront
As we walked around Humber Bay Park, Dominic and Michael kept holding hands, leaning into each other and stopping for another hug or kiss. Some of that happened while we were moving between portrait spots, which is why I keep watching even when we are supposedly on our way to the next photo.
They were also up for trying our ideas. That mix gave us room to work with the setting and make creative portraits while keeping their connection at the centre of the session. The skyline and shoreline helped shape the photographs, and their teasing, laughing and constant affection kept everything feeling like them.
If you look at their photos and wonder whether you need to feel that relaxed from the beginning, you can take that pressure off. I can help you find your feet, give you something simple to do and work out what feels comfortable. Some couples arrive ready to kiss in front of a camera. Others need a bit of time and a few terrible jokes. We can work with that.
Why Humber Bay Park Works for Engagement Photos
Humber Bay Park gives you water, greenery, walking paths and views toward the Toronto skyline. I like having that variety within one location because a session can keep moving. We can make a wider portrait that includes the city, then bring the attention closer to the two of you as we walk.
For Dominic and Michael, the lake and cityscape gave their engagement photos a strong sense of Toronto. The open waterfront also gave us space to work with their bold black and white styling. There was a clear connection between what they wore, what they brought and where we were photographing them.
The shoreline was part of this session, but we choose portrait spots around the access and conditions on the day. There is plenty to work with from comfortable places along the paths and waterfront. The route should suit you as well as the photographs.
Planning a Humber Bay Park Engagement Session
For this kind of waterfront session, I like planning around the softer light toward the end of the day. The start time depends on sunset for your date, the weather and how much walking we want to do. Leave room to move between spots so we can enjoy the location and respond to the light as it changes.
Summer is a good fit if you like the greenery and want to spend the evening outdoors, as Dominic and Michael did. Comfortable shoes, water and insect repellent are useful things to bring. A light extra layer can help if it gets breezy by the lake. We can also talk through an alternative date or location if the forecast calls for it.
Before settling on a meeting point, check the City’s Humber Bay Parks updates. East and West are separate areas, and restoration work can affect access to particular spots. Confirm any permit requirements for your planned session and chosen area with Toronto Park Bookings before finalizing the plan.
Planning Your Own LGBTQ+ Engagement Photos in Toronto?
What I remember about Dominic and Michael’s session is how much personality they brought to it. The outfits, the balloons, the way they kept reaching for each other while we walked. Those details gave us photographs that belonged to them.
For your session, we can talk about the places you love, the clothes you feel good in and how you like being photographed together. I will guide you when it helps and leave space for the moments that happen on their own. That balance between candid engagement photos and creative portraits is a big part of how I work.
You can explore more of my Toronto engagement photography, or read about my approach as an LGBTQ+ wedding photographer in Toronto if you are planning the wedding too.
If a session by the water sounds like your kind of thing, tell me what you are thinking. I would love to help you put it together.
Check out the full gallery of Dominic & Michael’s Humber Bay Same sex Engagement Photos.
