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

This is the way to do it! Leisurely brunch engagement photos, champagne, and a walk to stretch the legs... We begin at L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar. Allia & Alison are too awesome to describe. Funny, artistic and completely in love, rooms light up when these two women enter... (See what I did? I tried to describe them anyway.) They suggested we meet at L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar, a stylish yet laid back joint near Bathurst and Dundas. Brunch arrived with an entire french press pot of coffee. Talking, and laughing, it was easy to see why these two are such a sublime match. Champagne followed a delicious breakfast (I told you this is the way to do it!), and then we headed out into the city.

Alison graduated from University of Toronto, so it only made sense to explore the beautiful Victoria College campus. In fall coats, the ladies kept each other warm, laughing, running, even flying. Playing among the gothic stone and ivy-covered walls, we were filled with energy - adventure - even magic.

L'ouvrier Kitchen Bar Canadian Gothic

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L'ouvrier Kitchen Bar Pink Table

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Louvrier Kitchen Bar Pink Rabbit

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L'ouvrier Kitchen Bar Engagement Photo

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Custom Engagement Rings

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One of my recent goals has been to do something that feeds my creative soul at least once per week. For me this means exposure to other creative beings through the arts, science, and even politics. So a few weeks ago I went to see the Arcade Fire Reflektor Tour at Toronto's Air Canada Centre. I haven’t been to a big arena show like that since wearing purple to Prince almost ten years ago - and it was wonderful!

Jasper & Kate Arcade Fire Reflektor

Oh, the night... Everyone was dressed up ~ the Music ~ the Lights ~ the Energy ~ the Crowd ~ It was magical, and exactly what my soul needed. We were high up in the stands, dancing dancing dancing all evening, and it was amazing to see the whole stadium from above cheering and singing.

I have always loved the Arcade Fire. Their music is truly the kind that can relate to your life – and when you hear that song you’re taken right back to where you were the first time you fell in love with it.

~ One of my most vivid memories of this "flashback" experience was from 2006: walking into a tiny seaside bar in Ecuador, salty and sunburnt and happy, and hearing Arcade Fire playing on the stereo - music from home.  A later album reminds me of going through a break up - when one of my best friends played me an Arcade Fire song to cheer me up. I ended up listening to it on repeat for weeks... It’s that kind of music – a real life soundtrack that gets into your bones. ~

What are you doing this week to feed your soul?

How excited was I, when I was contacted by Elle Daftarian (event planner / dessert maker / mom extraordinaire) to do a portrait session on location at her new bakery.

I was even more thrilled to find out that the images would be used for the cover story of Persian Tribune Magazine! I went to the gorgeous little shop at Broadview and Queen and was instantly taken in. Elle has an eye for beauty that I won't attempt to describe in words - just take a look for yourself.

I photographed the adorable party for Elle's daughter's first communion. It was great to meet her team again and witness their creativity in action, which apparently involves a lot of joking around and a substantial intake of baked goods... Here are the images from our day:

Click here to see more of Elle Daftarian's beautiful sweets, at Sophia's fabulous First Communion party!

"Kate did my wedding and I can't say enough wonderful things about her. Her pictures are absolutely stunning! She is creative and looks at things with such an artistic eye. She gets shots that I have never seen captured before - nothing like boring, stuffy photographers. She is also a pleasure to have around on the day. She is calming, flexible, funny, caring. In every way a dream. I already have one* close friend who was so impressed with her that she booked her for her own wedding. I can't recommend Kate highly enough!"

– Denise & Charlie

*Update: now three and counting! ;) Click here to see Denise & Charlie's gourmet BBQ wedding on Toronto Island!