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!

Arrived home this morning from San Francisco, one of my favourite cities in the world. I feel so much – so many things - but don’t know how to say them all at once, or properly. I “met” Maya and Ben on Skype, after we had been e-introduced by their awesome wedding planner Jodi Gagné. Living in California, Skype meetings are routine for these two. We had instant chemistry. There was a lot of laughter, which I now realize is a huge part of this couple’s life (being that they’re both hilarious and Maya is a constant joker). Somehow we group-fantasized that I’d go to the Bay Area and shoot their engagement session,,, and then somehow we made it happen.

I’ve just arrived home.

Talk about adventure: Ben and Maya invited me – effectively a stranger from another country – into their home, and I accepted. We spent the weekend hanging out, eating delicious food, exploring San Francisco and Palo Alto, shooting pictures, telling stories, and laughing our heads off… it was beyond great.

What’s more, I found myself personally inspired by Maya and Ben. Not only as individuals, professionals, and inherently artistic beings, but also as a couple. Now, hold on before you go getting all judgey about how cheesy I am – hear me out.

Ben and Maya see, hear, and encourage one another with remarkable enthusiasm, care and interest. One’s happiness excites the other as if they’ve just met (and they haven’t). And the best part, is that the world is theirs; they have no self-consciousness about feeling this way and expressing it openly. I’m not talking about PDAs (though I have no problem with public displays of affection) – I mean that this love is just 100% out there, no apologies.

We all develop barriers in life, to protect our hearts and our egos from getting hurt. Maya and Ben are brave and confident and passionate in many aspects of their lives, and it is this that I find so incredible.

Thank you Maya and Ben for opening your home and your life to me. I can't wait to share your engagement photos in San Francisco, and I’m so excited to see you in Toronto for the wedding!

Congratulations, and Cheers, and Cheers again! Love, Kate

Want more Maya & Ben? San Francisco Engagement Photos (Day One) and Palo Alto Engagement Photos (Day Two) ~ xo