Since these lovers were complete strangers to me, I consider them my very first official clients as a photographer—and my first here in Toronto, too. I had photographed a couple of friends before, but Anita & Jacob were my first clients since I launched my business and officially began this journey.
These two made me feel like I was watching a live romantic movie. I think these photos say enough about the chemistry between them—you can almost feel it through your screen.
The way they look at each other, the quiet moments, and the smiles they share in between are what made these photographs so special. Nothing felt forced; it was simply them being themselves.
If I'm being completely honest, this session had me just a little jealous of my own "no relationship season."
D-Day
We did a mini session for their save-the-date photos. Anita wanted a garden-like location without the stress of dealing with permits, so I gave her a few options—some that required permits and some that didn't.
The plan was to see if we could photograph at this location without any issues. If someone asked us to leave, our backup plan was to head over to Edward Gardens. Thankfully, with students away on the weekend and not many people around, we were able to create some beautiful images without any interruptions.
These two were such naturals that I actually had to ask if they had modeled before. They made my job so easy that I almost felt guilty... almost.
I arrived early to scout the location, look for the best light, and imagine where we'd create each part of their story. Unfortunately, I was having issues with my phone number, which made it difficult for them to reach me. We ended up missing each other for about twenty minutes before realizing we were standing on opposite sides of the property. Thankfully, they were incredibly understanding. We laughed it off and jumped straight into the session, and from that point on, it just felt fun.
I won't lie—I was nervous.
They were my first couple, and knowing these photographs would become part of their wedding invitations added a little extra pressure. I kept wondering if I was good enough and whether I'd be able to give them something they'd genuinely love.
So when Anita sent me such an enthusiastic message after receiving her gallery, I felt relieved in the best possible way. It reminded me why I wanted to do this in the first place.
That session made me realize I wanted to photograph more love stories... just not weddings.
Well, at least that's what I thought.
A few months later, I found myself saying yes to intimate weddings and elopements. Even now, I don't really think of myself as a ''wedding photographer''. I simply love documenting people and their stories, whatever form they take.
Photographing events has pushed me to grow more than almost anything else. They're unpredictable. They're emotional. They're sometimes chaotic, sometimes quiet, and often somewhere in between. You can't control what's going to happen, and that's exactly what makes them beautiful. Every event teaches me something new—not just about photography, but about people.
If you've read my previous blogs, you'll know I have a soft spot for romantic comedies. Maybe that's why every time I photograph a couple, I hope their images feel like scenes from their own film.
I don't just want them to remember what they looked like. I want them to remember what it felt like. The laughter that escaped between poses. The nervous smiles. The quiet glances. The way their hands found each other without thinking.
You know how a certain scent, a familiar song, or even the weather can suddenly bring you back to a moment you hadn't thought about in years? You don't have to try to remember—your body simply does. Your heart does.
That's the kind of photographs I hope to create.
Images that don't just preserve memories, but bring people back to them.
To these two—especially Anita—thank you for trusting me to capture this chapter of your story.
People often think the wedding day is the most important part, but I believe every step along the way matters. Every conversation, every milestone, every quiet season leading up to that day deserves to be remembered too. And the beautiful thing is that a love story doesn't end with a wedding—it simply begins a new chapter.
Jacob, kudos to you for not waiting too long and for recognizing that you'd already found the love of your life.
I truly wish the both of you a lifetime of love, grace, and countless adventures together. May you continue choosing each other through every season, and may this chapter be only the beginning of many beautiful ones still to come.
Thank you for letting me be a small part of your story.
