There are times in life when I catch myself marvelling at the absolute privilege of my job. This was one of those days. Amanda and Larry opted for at-home engagement photos, doing one of their favourite activities: cooking. After we wandered through the gorgeous grounds, where we would later shoot their wedding photographs too, they invited me into their kitchen, where I got a chance to see the real dynamic of two people in love and in perfect comfort with one another.

I have a firm belief that home is the person you love, and the place you build your lives together sort of stitches it all together. Being with Amanda and Larry, and creating these images, confirmed in my heart that this is true.

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Thank you Larry and Amanda for sharing a piece of your life with me... And thank you, also, for sending me home with a huge mason jar of delicious, homemade tomato sauce! It was greatly enjoyed!!

Amanda and Matt are just a gorgeous pair. We met at Balzac's coffee shop, in Toronto's historical Liberty Village to do their engagement photos. It was a windy day, but they laughed together and kept one another warm... Actually it was a crazy windy day that had all three of us wondering if we shouldn't reschedule, but we decided to just do it! Whenever Amanda or Matt needed encouragement, the other was there to keep them (and me) going... And these two are no strangers to cheering one another on. Matt proposed to Amanda just after she crossed the finish line at the San Francisco women's half marathon! She was his champion.

Amazing.

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Amanda & Matt, it's been fantastic working with two people who are truly inspirational. I am so excited to share your wedding photos soon!

Day Two of my travel weekend with Maya & Ben started with a delicious, leisurely "breakfust" at the Palo Alto Creamery. (By the way, if you ever find yourself somewhere that serves almond-croissant-french-toast: order it.) We made our way back home and, after an appropriately extended period of post-brunch chilling, we were ready to do more photos. The afternoon was drenched in that perfectly hazy California sunshine. Ben and Maya got dolled up and took me to the gorgeous Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden for their Palo Alto engagement photos. Since they had taken me sight-seeing in San Francisco the day before, Day Two was all about love and romance; Ben and Maya, Maya and Ben.

They flirted and laughed, told stories, and even danced together through the paths and wildflowers. I have to admit that even as a third party it was super romantic, and I look back on that afternoon with a heart full of hope, light, and loveliness. Oh Maya and Ben what a marvellous gift!

This weekend trip to the Bay Area truly allowed Ben and Maya to create something beautiful for their engagement photos. What's more, I was honoured and so grateful to help facilitate it. Maya and Ben were 100% open-minded and open-hearted; just being themselves, laughing and loving one another to the fullest. Thank you, you dolls. Thank you!

Click here to read about my original weekend with Ben & Maya and click here to see Day One's San Francisco engagement photos.

For a sneak peek of Maya and Ben's fairytale wedding, at the Westin Prince Hotel, view the 2014 slideshow here!

It's not everyday you meet a couple like Maya and Ben. I traveled to the Bay Area in California to shoot their San Francisco engagement photos (and to meet them for the first time and stay in their home)!Read about my wonderful adventure with Ben and Maya here. Day One adventures: The three of us jumped in the car and drove to downtown San Francisco - one of my favourite cities - to take in the sights, sounds, and sunshine that blessed us that magical day. We climbed the staggeringly steep San Francisco hills, visited the Palace of Fine Arts, and even drove to Baker Beach to see the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset (then we celebrated over dinner at one of the most delicious sushi places).

The best part of the day, though, was getting to know Maya and Ben. These two people are full of laughter - joyous to be together - and a pleasure to hang out with. Besides a lot of joking and mandatory delicious snack breaks, Maya and Ben's photo session consisted of the most wonderful connecting of hearts. They were happy to reminisce about their memories together and imagine the new adventures they are embarking on. Because I had come from Toronto, they were also excited to show me the city, and discover new parts of it themselves. Their excitement for life and each other was so genuine, it was inspirational. I went home rejuvenated.

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Thank you to Maya and Ben for being genuine and letting your light shine. I can't wait to share your engagement photos from Day Two... and I can't wait for your wedding in Toronto this weekend!

For a sneak peek of Maya and Ben's fairytale wedding, at the Westin Prince Hotel, view the 2014 slideshow here.

For everything "wedding", I've been chatting with Carrie by phone and email for months. So what to think, when - out of the blue - Kevin emails me before the engagement photos, asking if it would be okay for him to propose properly to Carrie during our shoot... My response, literally, was "Um... That would be amazing!" (with about seven more exclamation marks). Marriage proposal photos - so romantic and actually for real - I do! I mean, yes please! Carrie and Kevin fell in love over a dine and dash in Paris. Yes, you heard me right... They dined, and then they dashed. Don't judge them - Carrie says when Kevin was willing to go along with her wild and hair-brained schemes while traveling together, she knew he was the one for her. Plus, the were in Paris for goodness' sake. It was just the beginning of their adventures.

But wait - how were there engagement photos, when there had been no proposal? Well Kevin and Carrie have known for a long time that they were meant to be. They were so excited to start their lives together that they just started planning the party. It was realized along the way that there was no ring yet... Until the day of the engagement shoot.

Here is a pair of folks who are genuinely in love; the gratitude each expressed for the other just touched my heart. During the photos they took almost no instruction, they just looked at each other and spoke from the heart. Sometimes it seemed as if I wasn't there at all... Except when Carrie held her left hand up to me and screamed, "My Ring!"

Carrie and Kevin have had many more adventures in the years since Paris, including adopting wee Wendy into their lives - basically the cutest miniature dachshund you'll ever meet. We finished off the shoot with a little Wendy-time, just to make sure she was in on the action and family love...

Be sure to follow up on Carrie & Kevin's journey with photos of their downtown Toronto wedding, and a Distillery District family session with their sweet little toddler. 

Kevin and Carrie's engagement photos were shot at the Gooderham Building, also known as the Flatiron Building, in Toronto. Carrie's gorgeous yellow diamond engagement ring was custom designed by Graziella Fine Jewelry in Toronto. Hair and makeup by Jennifer Schulz.

Congratulations, you amazing people. I couldn't be more honoured to share these memories with you both!

Be sure to follow up on Carrie & Kevin's journey with photos of their downtown Toronto wedding, and a Distillery District family session with their sweet little toddler. 

If you're interested in getting genuine, intimate photographs taken with the love of your life, click Connect to find out more.