Emma and Christian brought the sunshine the day we met them at their engagement session – and they brought the sun both literally and figuratively. Rain was threatening all day and it had been cold and damp and misty – exactly the kind of day that makes for a miserable engagement session, the kind where you thought it would be okay because it wasn’t actually raining but then it turns out it’s pretty much the same with a constant mist that won’t really let up at all. But I knew when I corresponded with Emma the days prior and even right up until the day of, that she and Christian were not only flexible with our plans as they kept changing due to weather, but also really easy-going and agreeable. And it also helped that they were willing to go with the flow. They knew they were coming to Guelph to meet up with their wedding florist after the shoot, and they were both coming from a long way away for the session and didn’t want to delay and so we completely changed our idea of where we were going to take photos (which was going to be wayyyy too mucky and muddy from days and days of rain prior) and, on a dime, decided we would try the University of Guelph campus instead. I cannot tell you how happy I am that we made this choice! These are now some of my all-time favourite pics! I have been wanting to include more architecture in my engagement photos as I love the strong lines and I am equally obsessed with buildings with character and this place fit the bill perfectly!

Emma and Christian started dating when she was attending Guelph and so it turned out to be a wonderful and meaningful switch for them. And so when I say that they brought the sun, they literally did. The mist let up right around the time that they arrived which was amazing and I was so very thankful that they would be rewarded for their patience and resiliency. And now, I will always think of Emma and Christian and this day and be reminded of them and their personalities. They are fun-loving, light-hearted, and joyful when they are together. ‘Sunny’ you might even say. They arrived in good spirits despite their long drive and having to navigate traffic and we were immediately won over by their playful approach to the night. And how happy was I when I saw Emma pull out her fun hat?? Now I want everyone to wear hats in their engagement sessions. She rocked it! And I particularly love the photos of them when the hat made its debut!  

As we moved around campus and chatted, we learned about their love for teaching, and their extensive travels together not that long ago including to the Philippines, Korea and Japan. And we found out that Christian had done some of his schooling in Wales and also taught in Seoul. Through their eyes and their excitement for travelling it was easy to picture them on their adventures and to dream a little along with them about what it would be like to be in that part of the world. With all of us not being able to travel during the pandemic it was such a wonderful reprieve from the daily grind to chat with them, learn about far-flung places, and live vicariously through them!

Talking to them, we quickly learned that they had so many parts to their personalities – adventurous and carefree but also that they were old souls who liked Neil Young and longed to get a place together a little ‘off the beaten track’ and away from it all. We felt very quickly like they were old friends that we had known for a long time. They just had a way of putting you at ease right away. It was not surprising to learn that they will have a very large bridal party with 8 on each side for their wedding this summer as they will include so many of their good friends to celebrate with them.

The more photos we took the more you could see that their relationship together is one of fun, not taking themselves too seriously, and living in the moment! We did get some lovely romantic photos too but that usually led to even more laughter, and we couldn’t help ourselves but laugh along with them. And we’re told their groomsmen and bridesmaids all have similar personalities – outgoing, fun, ready for anything. It will be one joyful party, we have no doubt! And we’re also so excited because they will be getting married just around the corner from us!  

And oh yes……I can’t forget to mention that because we prepared for the threatening rain (and it really did feel like it was misting again from time to time throughout the night) we had some fun with some must have umbrella shots to round out the night! Emma and Christian we know that when we see you again at your wedding, we will feel right at home! Thank you for making the night so easy for us and for the pleasure of getting to know you both!