Joud and Khalil’s engagement shoot at Scarborough Bluffs turned out to be one of my favourite photoshoots. Not only because of how beautiful the photos turned out, but because of the obstacles that forced me to think on my feet and problem-solve to give the couple memorable photos that will last a lifetime.
Like many couples, Joud and Khalil’s story began online. Khalil was browsing his feed on Facebook. In the corner of his eye, his attention focused on his ‘suggested friends’ list, where he would first see his fiancé-to-be Joud. Without hesitation, Khalil made the first move and sent a message trying to get to know her. Khalil waited a couple of weeks waiting for a reply until he finally saw a notification on his phone: “Joud has sent you a message”.
The couple talked for a couple of weeks before meeting each other and deciding that they would be a great fit. Within a year, they have their Nikkah and find themselves getting ready for their engagement shoot.
Joud and Khalil were looking for two locations. One that was classy and elegant, and another that was fun and adventurous.
The first location we decided on was downtown Toronto’s Distillery District, where we would take advantage of its neutral colors and beautiful architecture. With all of the constant changes happening in downtown Toronto, I always tell couples of mine who want their photos in the city that they should expect the unexpected. Not to my surprise, we expected the unexpected.
The first location we chose, the Novotel Hotel, was under construction. With their newly added restaurants and patios, the Novotel no longer accommodated photography due to the consistent flood of customers. As photographers, we find this exciting and motivating because it allows us to think outside of the box, be creative, and try something new. Instead, we decided to go around the corner and use the city’s neutral colors to our advantage, which really complimented the couple’s outfits.
I told Joud and Khalil to be themselves. Embrace each other, be in love, and forget the camera exists. The result was a series of intimate and lovely moments – shared laughter, whispers in each other’s ears, and fun, gentle pushes. It wasn’t hard to spot how in love they were.
Surrounded by Toronto’s tranquil waterfront, we drove from the city to the towering hills of Scarborough Bluffs – the perfect location for Joud’s elegant and flowing dress.
When we made our way to the Scarborough Bluffs we, once again, expected the unexpected as the Bluffs were closed due to construction. During golden hour, every second counts, so we had to quickly decide how to transition. This wasn’t a problem because there was an easy solution: Cathedral Bluffs. It provides a unique perspective that overlooks Toronto’s waterfront and it was only ten minutes away. While we weren’t going to make golden hour, the sky greeted us with beautiful hues of orange, purple, and blue: blue hour.
Congratulations to Joud and Khalil on their beautiful engagement – I can’t wait to join you and your families to photograph your wedding day.
Make sure to check out more of my engagement shoots downtown Toronto at the Novotel Hotel and Polson Pier here. You can also find another beautiful engagement shoot at the Scarborough Bluffs here.
