A couples session can truly be whatever you want it to be. It’s an opportunity to slow down, connect with your partner, and be reminded of all the little things you love about each other. I never want you to feel like you have to perform or pose in ways that make you feel uncomfortable, because that’s just not what it’s all about. Engagement photos should be a reflection of who you are as a couple, photos that you’ll be able to look back on and remember what your relationship and life was like in that moment in time. Maybe you’ll want to incorporate your latest activity that you love doing together (Brian and I are currently into putting a record on and playing dominoes) or maybe you just want to have beautiful documentation of your current home (especially if you know you won’t be there forever). There are so many meaningful aspects of our lives that deserve to be preserved, and capturing them during your engagement session creates the perfect time capsule of your memories.
So what is this blog post all about? Well, Alexis and Lilian are two badass, creative women and we knew we wanted to channel their vibes into this session. Unlike most people, they were both very comfortable in front of the camera and they wanted to have an editorial edge to their session. So we actually blocked off a whole day for the shoot, starting in the late morning at a grungy outdoor location that could only be described as having brutalist architecture, and then we finished off in a vintage inspired loft of an old Toronto home.
I collaborated on this shoot with Brian (3B Photography) where we shot film (35mm and medium format) to get that dreamy look and aesthetic we were going for. We both shoot film for many reasons, one being the undeniable nostalgic quality that it possesses and the whole process is slower, it gives you more time to connect with your subjects and you don’t want to waste a frame. Although every photo I take is intentional, when I shoot film I find myself even being more deliberate to ensure I get the shot and more often than not, I walk away with more diverse images and more photos I truly love.
So if you’re looking for some inspiration on how to have a cool, editorial engagement photoshoot, look no further.
