Blog | Olive Photography

Modern Airship37 Wedding | Amanda & Markus

December 17, 2016

Amanda and Markus’ downtown Toronto wedding day at Distillery District’s Airship37 was first and foremost a day of love – both between the two of them, and amongst everyone who was there.

They had so many relatives who visited them from around the world who, along with everyone else in attendance, had such affection and adoration for this sweet couple. It’s no wonder, they are two of the kindest, most thoughtful people you will ever meet.

Their wedding was also a wonderful reflection who who they are and what means most to them, with tonnes of personal touches. They put so much of themselves into this wedding. For example, Amanda made the candle wedding favours (she runs an exceptional all-natural soy candle company called Woodsmoke & Olive), her and her bridesmaids & family made the pies, cake and treats on their dessert table, her mother did all their bouquets and centrepieces, her maid of honour did all the calligraphy, a friend made the invites and they infused their own personalty and aesthetic throughout all aspects of the day.
It was really amazing to see how people came together to help make this day as personal as it was.

It was very clear that they wanted to have a meaningful celebration with their nearest and dearest infused with their awesome style, which is my kind of wedding! I spoke with them a few times as they got closer to their wedding and learned that their home was sprawling with DIY projects, and I was super excited to see the fruits of their labour. It was just what I expected: cool, relaxed modern vibe infused with timeless elements, and a few quirky details that highlighted their personality. (e.g. A tie clip saying, ‘You’re the Obi Wan for me’ that Amanda gifted to Markus, and a cute cutout of their dog Olive’s face since she couldn’t attend. Though she did make an appearance for their first look!)

Here are a few peeks at their Airship37/downtown Toronto wedding — And check out the bottom of the post for words from the couple themselves!

From Amanda & Markus!

** What is your wedding theme / style / colour palette? Why did you choose this?
We didn’t have a set theme in mind I guess if we had to name it, it would be urban jungle. We loved the look of lots of fresh greenery but wanted a cool relaxed modern/city vibe that fit our style. Colour palette would be greenery (ferns, rosemary and moss) with berry colours – deep plum and maroon, and brown glass that fit with the fall season, with accents of grey, black and white to keep it modern and not too rustic/farmhouse feel.

** What 3 words best describe your wedding?
Style: Modern Urban Jungle ; Vibe: City Backyard Party.

** Favourite wedding moment(s)?
Amanda – There were so many amazing fun moments of the day it’s hard to choose just one. But for me (as cheesy as this may sound) my favourite moments were any time I was with Markus, particularly during our ceremony just before our vows holding hands looking at each other. For no reason that I can explain, I was a nervous wreck the whole morning before the ceremony, tearing up really easily, except once I saw Markus for our first look. I got nervous again right before the ceremony waiting around and was shaking like a leaf before walking down the isle (partly nerves, partly from cold as it was very windy taking photos outside). As soon as I got to Markus and held his hands I felt so calm and all the nerves associated with “all eyes on you” just melted away.
Markus – One favourite moment was our first look, seeing Amanda for the first time that day before the ceremony. Other moments would be Amanda’s brother’s kind words during our ceremony that made me tear up, and conversely my dad’s speech that made everyone in the room crack up.

** Venue: What made this venue the one for you?
We joke that we were lazy when it came to wedding planning as we didn’t hunt around a lot or at all (including my dress) but I think we just knew what we wanted. This was the first venue we saw and we loved it’s industrial vibe, it seemed very us. When we met with the planners there, they were so relaxed and laid back and open to whatever we wanted it was great. They let us bring in our fire pit from our backyard which ended up being amazing since it was such a cool fall night people got to take a breather from the epic dance party and make s’mores and get cozy by the fire. They also had a ping pong table available to us which everyone who wasn’t too into dancing just loved, it was busy all night. Beyond that they were super helpful and the staff were on the ball with everything. I‘ve heard a lot of people say they didn’t get to try the food at their wedding but the head server there made sure we had passed hors d’oeuvres sent to us as well as our specialty cocktail. They were fantastic.

** Photographer: How did you know you had found the right photographer?
We found Anastasia through online wedding blogs. Her company name caught our attention as our dog’s name is Olive, but her photography style is what really attracted us. We knew she was the right photographer after we met with her. Anastasia is just the most kind-hearted, down-to-earth and genuine person you will ever meet. I think in any sales related industry you can meet a lot of people that are fake nice. Anastasia is not one of those people. She is so dedicated to making you feel relaxed and comfortable and you can tell she truly loves what she does. We both are not comfortable having a lot of attention on us and being photographed, but during our engagement session with her all that went away. She really has a way of making you feel at ease and comfortable. We walked away feeling like we had just spent the day hanging out with an old friend. On our wedding day it was so great to have her calming presence around but she was also so professional. She was able to guide everyone through photos efficiently keeping us on time and was practically invisible during the ceremony & reception getting photos of everything like a photog-ninja!

** Any words of advice for couples planning their wedding?
We had a lot of DIY items at our wedding. It can definitely help to save money in some areas but it takes a lot of time so be prepared to do a lot of work in advance if you undertake DIY projects. We were so fortunate to have amazingly talented friends and family to help out. One of my MOHs Sarah does calligraphy and worked her calligraphy magic on everything – the envelope addressing, signs at our wedding, seating chart & place cards – she was so generous with her time. Another friend designed the invites and some signs we had outside our venue, and our mothers did all the bouquet’s, corsages, flowers on the table and even nursed some ferns & rosemary plants for two months. We were truly blessed to have all this help. We did a lot of stuff ourselves too and with that, our first piece of advice is know when to let things go. As it got closer to our wedding day there were things we had planned on doing that we just had to decide that it wasn’t a big enough impact on the day and to just let it go. Pinterest & wedding blogs are great inspiration but at some point you have to just stop looking at them or you just keep adding to your pile of DIY tasks. Another key piece of advice is to stick to things that will really be memorable. No one is going to notice or care what colour napkins you use but they will care about the food, or remember that hanging greenery that really makes a visual impact. A final piece of advice is that if you don’t have a wedding planner (we didn’t) have a day of coordinator or a friend who you trust to coordinate for you. We were INCREDIBLY lucky again to have a friend who does event planning & coordination who spent so much time helping to set everything up and execute our vision of our wedding day. It took a lot of stress out of the day having someone we could rely on to set everything up and make sure the day ran smoothly.

** Anything else you’d like to share?
Amanda: Everyone always talks about how their wedding day is the best day of their life. As we got closer to our wedding day and the stress started to build I really kept thinking maybe we should have eloped and saved us money and stress. However after going through it, I totally understand it now. I’ve never before been surrounded by so much love and support. The love and support our family & friends showed us by donating their time and talents which I will forever be grateful for, and just the happiness everyone showed us on that day was SO worth it. It was just magical. It was the most fun day and I’m still feeling all warm and fuzzy about it. And while I’m sure we will have many amazing days in our life together, this will be one that stands out that I will never forget.

Vendors:

Can’t get enough of this couple? Revisit their engagement session.
Or maybe you wanna check out another city vibe wedding?
Here’s another modern Toronto wedding for you to check out!
Or another session with a dog 🙂

Embracing Authenticity: Warm & Relaxed Brand Portraits in Toronto/GTA

April 2, 2024

Embracing Authenticity: Warm & Relaxed Corporate/Brand Portraits in Toronto/GTA

In today’s corporate landscape, establishing a genuine connection with your audience is paramount. More than ever, companies are seeking to convey their brand identity through images that exude warmth, approachability, and authenticity. This is where Olive Photography shines. As a leading provider of candid, lifestyle corporate photography in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), we pride ourselves on our ability to capture the true essence of you & your team with warmth and sincerity.

Infusing Warmth into Every Image

At Olive Photography, we understand that warmth isn’t just about the lighting or the setting – it’s about the connection between the subject and the photographer. From the moment you step in front of our lens, our goal is to create an environment where you feel relaxed, comfortable, and truly yourself. It’s this genuine connection that allows us to capture images that radiate warmth and authenticity.

The Olive Photography Difference
At Olive Photography, we understand the importance of capturing genuine moments that reflect who you are and resonate with your audience. Our approach to corporate photography is centered around creating an environment where you and your team feel comfortable and at ease. We believe that the best portraits are born from authenticity, which is why we prioritize natural interactions and genuine expressions in our photography.

Why Choose Olive Photography?
Expert Direction, Minimal Intrusion: Our skilled photographers have a knack for putting people at ease and capturing their true essence without intruding on the moment. We build rapport and trust that allows us to capture your true essence, providing gentle direction and guidance to ensure that everyone feels comfortable in front of the camera, allowing us to capture authentic expressions and interactions.

Emphasis on Candid Moments: We believe that the most memorable photographs are often those captured in candid moments – the genuine smiles, laughter, and interactions that occur naturally. Or even for more serious portraits, we know when it feels genuine rather than stiff. Our photographers have a keen eye for spotting these moments and capturing them in their purest form, resulting in portraits that feel authentic and relatable.

Personalized Approach: We understand that every company has its own unique culture and values. That’s why we take the time to get to know you and what your brand is about, so we can tailor our approach to reflect your brand identity. Whether you’re a laid-back startup or a corporate powerhouse, we’ll work with you to create portraits that authentically represent who you are.

Attention to Detail: From the smallest gesture to the subtlest smile, we pay attention to every detail to ensure that your portraits are infused with warmth and sincerity. Our keen eye for detail allows us to capture the unique personalities of each individual, creating images that feel intimate and authentic.

Flexible Shooting Locations: Whether you prefer an indoor setting or an outdoor location, we offer flexible shooting options to accommodate your preferences. From urban backdrops in downtown Toronto to scenic landscapes in the GTA, even to home offices or your company’s brick & mortar location, we’ll work with whatever location complements your brand and enhances the overall vibe and goal of your portraits.

Expert Lighting and Composition: While our focus is on capturing natural moments, we also understand the importance of lighting and composition in creating stunning images. Our photographers are masters of their craft, using light and shadow to enhance warmth and depth in every photograph.

Fast and Efficient Service: We understand that time is of the essence in the corporate world. That’s why we prioritize efficiency and professionalism in everything we do. From the initial consultation to the final delivery of your images, you can count on us to provide fast and reliable service without compromising on quality.

Elevate Your Corporate Brand with Olive Photography
If you’re ready to convey the warmth and authenticity of your brand through stunning corporate portraits, look no further than Olive Photography. With our personalized approach, expert lighting, emphasis on candid and genuine moments, we’re committed to delivering images that capture the true essence of your team.

Contact Olive Photography to schedule your consultation and experience the difference of natural and relaxed corporate photography firsthand. Let us help you tell your story through authentic and captivating portraits that leave a lasting impression.

Working from Home: Lifestyle Corporate Portrait Photography | Huumans

February 14, 2024

Working from Home: Lifestyle Corporate Portrait Photography | Huumans

Something has happened in recent years to the workforce – specifically the work environment.
Suddenly, it seems like every other person is working from home – at least for part of the time.

Gone are the days when home offices and workspaces were reserved just for artists and budding sole proprietors – though it’s still also for them!
Now, even large corporations are allowing – and even encouraging – staff to work from home.

It’s pretty neat, actually – companies are now acknowledging that productivity can be maintained while people work from the comfort of their own home.
Throwing out the necessity for dress codes and rush hour commutes. (So much personal time back without that traffic!)

And people have embraced virtual meetings through the use of video conference apps, and a lot of business is conducted virtually and on the phone.

I recently had the opportunity to photograph Paula Festas, CEO and co-founder of Huumans, one such company that utilizes the digital workspace to efficiently support small business owners. A bit about their company via their website:

“Traditional Business Services are broken. They’re inefficient, slow, uncommunicative, expensive and confusing. So we fixed it with technology, monthly fixed-price plans, single services at affordable prices, unlimited business support and simple at-a-glance data reporting with integrated Financial Services…”
“Our approach has always been to take our experiences in running Small Businesses, and ask ourselves – and our customers – how can we make this easier? How can we make it higher value? How can we make work for everyone?”
“At huumans, we’re all approachable and deeply involved – the chances are, if you choose huumans to help your business, you’ll end up speaking to most of our team at some point. From Finance to Operations, to Product, Data and Tax – we’re a team that’s there to support you and your business, no matter what happens.”

That last part is pretty indicative of the changing work environment – that there is a high probability that if you enlist their help with your small business there’s a good chance you’ll speak to most of their team — technology is really helping to make everyone more accessible. Gone are the days of needing to figure out what floor and office door someone is behind to speak with them. Working from home as put business employees and clients/consumers at a similar level, creating a feeling of approachability and even kinship.

Even as the CEO, Paula works from home. The shoot aimed to showcase how this business owner works from home – a lifestyle corporate portrait session, without the stiffness of a draped backdrop or dress code. Instead, it showed her in her natural environment – cat, tea and coziness in her different work ‘zones’.
As someone who has worked from home for almost 15 years now it’s cool to see this way of earning a living becoming more common! It’s totally possible to be a successful business owner while being barefoot and – dare I say it – Huuman. (See what I did there? heh)

Here are a few of the lifestyle portraits of Paula in her home office.

Thanks for letting me into your home workspace, Paula!
And thanks to Xero for connecting us for this shoot.

View other corporate lifestyle photography/personal brand photography on this page and don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to document your business in a relaxed/approachable/lifestyle manner.

Toronto Skyline Proposal | Alex & Sydney

February 6, 2024

Toronto Skyline Proposal Photography – A little different than the usual CN Tower skyline, it’s a lovely above-city East End view that is in a tucked away location after a short nature walk that makes this spot feel extra romantic and special.

This Evergreen Brickworks Proposal was such a sweet one. And gosh dangit, was it ever a beautiful morning!! Get a load of that gorgeous sunrise glow.

Alex chose to take these photos at sunrise to minimize potential for other people in the photos – it also tends to be a popular spot for photos with the skyline view behind, so the goal was to get ahead of any others who would come that day for a chance at the spot.

The Big Event – How it Went Down!:
Alex planned to take Sydney for a walk where they had their first date, a trail by Evergreen Brickworks, under the pretence of taking brand photos for their trampoline exercise company, Jump n’ Jacked. (How cool and fun does that sound?)I was hanging around, seemingly just a random person taking photos of the nature and skyline. When they arrived with a couple of friends who started to take cell phone photos of them, I offered to take a few photos of them as well that I could send to them since I happened to have a camera.
Little did Sydney know I was hired by Alex in advance as their proposal photographer!
We got a few snaps of them just posing (like ‘About Us’ bio photos), but very soon the poses for the photos changed quite a bit – Alex got on one knee and Sydney’s face was absolutely priceless. I got to capture the special moment and her happy tear-full reaction in all its beautiful glory – so much love!! Just have a look through the photos – her emotion was so beautiful. And they way they embraced and looked at each other.. *sigh* it warms my heart reliving it. I freaking love photographing proposals!

Toronto Proposal Photographer | Olive Photography

Big congratulations to Alex & Sydney on their engagement!If you’re looking for a Toronto Proposal Photographer, I’m your gal!!

Feel free to also check out some other proposal photos at this same spot, different season!

Baby Lennon | Toronto Newborn Photographer

March 4, 2022

Baby Lennon | Toronto Newborn Photographer | Lifestyle Family Photography

Man oh man. My heart is full.
I’ve had the absolute joy of photographing Courtney & Dan’s engagement, wedding, first baby Finn and now second baby Lennon. It’s been such an honour to document these beautiful, momentous milestones for this incredibly lovely couple.
They’ve become such natural parents – you can feel the love they all share.
Here are some of my faves from our recent session at their home. I love that we documented these where they live because they will be extra special and nostalgic for them to look back on in the future – especially since they’re about to completely renovate the house and it will soon look totally different! These photos will help them remember not just how small their kiddos were, but how it felt to be in their first home together too.
Finn seemed to be taking sharing the attention with a little sister pretty well. Yes, there were moments where he wanted a bit more attention but he seemed to get it when the spotlight needed to be shared. He even started taking care of a stuffed animal like his parents were taking care of Lennon – holding it, tucking it in, speaking to it. So cute.
So many great moments to remember from our time together, but one of my favourites was the adorable & heartwarming shot of Courtney helping Finn self-regulate his feelings during a mini-meltdown because he wanted more peanut butter on a spoon *immediately*. She helped him calm down through mindful inhales and exhales. It worked to calm him down and they could then negotiate when he gets the next spoon 😛
Parenthood is a chaotic, unique, absolutely remarkable journey.
I feel blessed to get to capture and immortalized some of the memories for families! 💛

Family Photographer Toronto | Hubers at Todmorden Mills

July 12, 2021

Family Photographer Toronto | Hubers at Todmorden Mills

Aah, the absolute JOY I feel when I get to keep seeing my amazing couples as they continue their life journeys! It’s been so amazing to see Kwan Yu & Jimmy go from engaged to married to expecting to parents! And their li’l bub Harriet is SO CUUUTE! I love the face she makes when she is super excited & happy! She is just lovin’ on life in some of these photos!

The drool shot with Jimmy is pretty hilarious too – Jimmy’s face when it was coming down made me laugh!
And she’s at a stage where she is grabbing at Kwan Yu’s hair a lot so I’m glad we got some images of that – little moments to bring these proud parents back to this season of life when they look back on these images.

I love that so much about photos – they have such a powerful impact, and remind us of even the simplest moments that can truly warm our hearts when we see them years later. That’s why I think it’s so worth it to make time to take photos. Time flies, things change so fast and so much. (Also remember to print them! Because technology also changes so much over time but prints can always be pulled out and held.)

It threatened to rain all morning and then it did so we temporarily rescheduled the shoot, but then it stopped after not too long so we decided to go for it anyway! The cool air after the rain was actually quite a welcome change after some intense heat the preceding couple of weeks. The breeze was lovely, the air smelled fresh, and the cloud cover actually created some really lovely diffused light.

I love these photos so much, loved spending time with this fam again!

Want a little blast from the past? Check out their wedding at Airship 37!

At Home Family Session | Newborn Baby Colette

November 12, 2020

I’ve been asked to do a lot more family sessions lately and I’m loving it.
Perhaps it’s because with Covid, as we’re stuck at home more, we’re forced to slow down and appreciate our loved ones.
… Let’s be honest, there’s also not much to do so a family session is a cool option for an activity together!
(But in all honesty taking photos as a family will never be something you regret. You will always be grateful to have memories together documented. Especially as the years go on.)

I think it’s really cool that each family – and child – is so unique. I love capturing the personalities, interactions, and love of each group I photograph. And in this case, a whole lotta spunk. (Look at the faces and energy of that toddler! She’s hilarious.)

This family already had a toddler, and they welcomed another baby girl, Colette, this year. I love that these photos show snippets of their every day life at home: hanging out reading in mom & dad’s room, feeding the new baby in the living room, playing/hanging out in the kiddos’ bedrooms… These images will be like time capsules in the future, bringing this family back to this precious time.

I love the characters in this shoot – particularly big sis and her two kitties who were following the parents and baby around and wanting some of the spotlight. From jumping on the bed, to being straight up cute – look at the picture on the couch: big sis grabbed her dad’s chin and declared, “you’re SO handsome!”. It was too funny! We all laughed!

Such precious memories and stage in life to document! Glad I could be there to immortalize it for them!

//
If you enjoyed this family session you’ll also enjoy the Galea family 2-sibling family/newborn session! Have a look! 🙂

Backyard Toronto Micro Wedding | Nicole & Sean

November 10, 2020

Backyard Toronto Micro Wedding | Nicole & Sean

Nicole and Sean got engaged back in 2018 in Hawaii and were excited for their July 31, 2020 wedding. It was supposed to be a big bash with all their family and friends. But then the world changed – both travel and large gatherings were banned because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“We initially had a large wedding planned with approximately 210 guests”, Nicole says. “Fast forward to 2020 and our plans were clearly changing day to day. Ultimately, we decided that after ten years of being together, we just wanted to get married and start our lives together! So long as our parents, siblings and my grandma (who is 93!) could attend, we wanted to move forward safely. When we hit phase two in Ontario at the end of June, we got our marriage license, confirmed with the church that we could still move forward on our day and then it was planning full steam ahead.”

As the virus was unpredictable and the case numbers kept changing, they were unsure what would be allowed when their day (they decided to keep their original date) finally came around.

“Every single day we nervously awaited the changes and updates to regulations on the news,” she says. “Finally, we hit phase three of reopening on our wedding day and we were able to have our ceremony at the church surrounded by 110 of our loved ones (masked of course!). Following our ceremony, we had the most perfect backyard setup for our intimate dinner of 15 and we couldn’t be more grateful for all of it.”

I can only imagine how that must have felt – both the sadness about the possibility of needing to drastically reduce guest count and then the relief and joy at being able to have over 100 people witness their ceremony!

They still decided to have an intimate backyard celebration with their ‘Covid bubble’ – parents, grandmother, siblings and their partners & kids. They enlisted the help of a planner to make it magazine-worthy beautiful. I was in awe when I stepped out into the backyard and saw it!

“We just wanted beautiful, bright warm colours with the glow of candles for a fun summer evening. Our flowers were one of my favourite elements and we worked closely with Amna of Lemon Truffle Designs to bring our vision to life. When Sean and I saw the backyard reception reveal we were so in love—it felt so special and magical.”

They had a delicious dinner with some of their faves from Agora: “It was like our favourite tasting menu brought to life!”

And despite it being a micro wedding, they still had a grand entrance, cake cutting, first dance, parent dances and speeches.

Even though it wasn’t the wedding day they initially planned for, it was truly an unforgettable special day. “Being able to share our speeches in such an intimate setting for 15 was beautiful,” Nicole says. “I asked my grandma before she left our reception dinner if she was tired after such a long day and she answered by saying ‘I wouldn’t have missed it.’ Having these memories and being able to capture these photos, including my first hug with my grandma since March, will always be truly special for us.”

Nicole and Sean, I know this must’ve been truly difficult to go through, but you made it and love prevailed. It has been such an honour to know you and to help document your beautiful love story!

Vendors
Bridal Gown: Amanda-Lina’s
Cake: The Rolling Pin
Catering: Agora
Groom’s Tux: Tolo Clothier
Favours: Craig’s Cookies
Hair & Makeup: Karima Sumar
Flowers & Décor: Amna Rather, Lemon Truffle Designs
Tableware: Table Tales
Chairs & Linens: Chair-Man Mills
Photography: Olive Photography

Evergreen Brickworks Proposal | Abid & Safiah

November 9, 2020

Evergreen Brickworks Proposal | Abid & Safiah

Abid and Safiah have been together for 6 years and they’ve decided on forever ❤️

He planned sunrise proposal with a beautiful view at Evergreen Brickworks in Toronto’s East End.
We met while the sun was still not out, and made the trek to the spot where he set up the items for the big moment.

He chose sunrise to help avoid the crowds because of Covid, and of course to have that special moment be private.

That morning he snuck out of bed extra early – he said he felt like he was tiptoeing past a sleeping dragon – had to be extra quiet! ha

When it was time, Safiah’s sister (who slept over that night) led the way to the surprise location where Abid had a speaker softly playing music, a heartfelt letter for her to read, and a scrabble board with the question – and possible answers – laid out. (Yes, No, or Hell No!) This was a reference to how he first told her he loves her through Scrabble years ago. So sweet.

He even brought a broom in case he had to sweep up some mess, and press-on nails because he knew Safiah hadn’t gotten a manicure during the pandemic and she may want to spruce up her nails for the photos. She didn’t end up using them, but how gosh-darned thoughtful!

As Safiah walked towards Abid you could feel the excitement and love from them both. Safiah cried happy tears and Abid had a smile from ear to ear. So much love.

He got down on one knee with the skyline view still twinkling as the sun hadn’t fully risen yet. It was really lovely. And of course, she said yes!

It was a privilege to photograph this momentous occasion for you both!
Congratulations again on your engagement Abid & Safiah!

Elora Mill Proposal | Robert & Maria

October 17, 2020

Romantic Candlelit Elora Mill Proposal

Robert and Maria have been together for 8 years.
She’d been hinting at being ready for a proposal for 3 years, but Robert wanted to have a few big life goals in order first – finish school, have stable work, buy a home – he wanted to feel like a responsible man ready to take this next big step in life.

When those things were accomplished, Robert chose a ring in a style he’d seen Maria be interested in before. Next step was to create a proposal plan.

It’s not easy thinking of proposal ideas! But I will say, Robert chose well. He planned a whole special day for them. First was a road trip full of changing colourful Fall leaves to the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa – so beautiful. Once there, a room he had booked for the night awaited them. He also booked them a couple’s massage which they had together that morning. They explored the town, enjoyed the day, then en route to dinner reservations they made a quick pit stop to, you know, get engaged. No big deal 😛

He’d arranged for the staff at Elora Mill to light the candles and ensure there was decor at the Foundry fireplace. My, was it romantic. When they entered the room they walked down the aisle to the proposal altar, and there were many tears of happiness and shock! Maria was awestruck!

She sooort of had an idea that it was going to happen that day somehow because she was supposed to get a haircut and Robert was VERY insistent that she cancel that, but how it happened was beyond her expectation.

They then had some bubbly – well, first Maria had to sit down because she needed a moment to take in what just happened (check out that photo – pretty funny)! And Robert gestured that he was dang sweaty from his nerves (also a photo you can check out, ha!).

We then took some photos in a li’l portrait session to commemorate the occasion and I got to photograph their giddy, totally elated loveliness. What an honour.

(That last photo was taken after we’d said goodbye – I had started walking away and looked back and saw that sweet embrace that I had to sneakily snap.)

Thanks so much for inviting me to photograph this very special occasion for you both! Congratulations again!!

Toronto Waterfront Proposal at RC Harris Water Treatment Plant | Karim & Zoya

July 20, 2020

Toronto Waterfront Proposal at RC Harris Water Treatment Plant | Karim & Zoya
Karim called one day saying he was hoping to propose to his girlfriend soon, but he needed help formulating a plan.
You could hear the excitement and anticipation in his voice.
He wanted something with a view, by some water. Something special, not too busy. Something memorable and impactful.
Originally he was considering a Toronto skyline view proposal, but when the hotel terraces with the best skyline views were closed due to Covid, we re-worked the idea.

He thought about maybe Casa Loma. I mentioned their permit fee and also that it could be busy with visitors around the spots he’d want to propose.
I sent him some other options, and when he checked out the RC Harris Water Treatment Plant he was sold.
RC Harris Water Treatment Plant is unlike any other place I’ve seen in Toronto! It has serious Ireland Castle vibes with it’s expansive building atop hilly green grass overlooking the water, and it has this perfect little pier which served as the perfect spot for him to pop the question.
We arrived about an hour before Zoya was set to get there.
There were more people this time, but they were so kind to clear the spot for the occasion.
Karim came with his cousin and they both set up a path of flower vases – such a sweet touch!
Zoya was spending the evening with her cousin – little did she know her cousin was leading her to this momentous occasion!
Zoya originally thought Karim was going to pop the question on Thursday – her friends kept confirming their plans for that night which she thought was out of the ordinary since they’re usually more spontaneous. So that gave her the impression that something might be up… It didn’t happen that night but JUST IN CASE she dressed nice each day after that. Luckily it happened not too long after on Saturday evening.
She noticed him on the pier, and with eyes locked on him she handed her cousin her purse and kept walking in disbelief.
When she reached him he took her hand, got down on one knee, and asked that question… she said yes!
I was shaking with excitement as I took the photos… I usually do – shooting proposals is SO dang exciting!
I’m so happy for these two and was so honoured to be the one to photograph these memories for them.
We had a mini sunset engagement session afterwards, and then I left them to enjoy their newly engaged bliss.
Apparently he even had friends and family awaiting at their decorated home to further celebrate – this guy thought about it all.
Congratulations again, Karim and Zoya! I’m so happy for you!