A playful pup-filled session that ended in pure joy
When Kimberly first reached out, she found me through a post from a past wedding I shot (shoutout to the beautiful chaos that is Instagram). We met up, instantly vibed, and next thing I knew, I was shooting their surprise wedding. Yup, these two planned a whole wedding in secret and pulled it off like absolute pros. You can read all about that magic day over on the blog here.
But before the vows and party, there was this sweet, slightly sweaty, dog-filled engagement session at the Guelph Arboretum. This area has so many beautiful spots for engagement sessions, if you're planning one in Guelph, Elora, or Rockwood, you can find more inspiration here.
Let’s rewind to that.
Rain? Maybe. Dogs? Definitely.
The forecast was calling for rain and heavy humidity (love that for us), but we decided to roll with it anyway, because honestly, a little drizzle never hurt a cute photo.
Kimberly & Ashwin brought their pups along for the adventure, which made for double the cuteness and just a little chaos. It was a whole thing: juggling leashes, tossing treats, doling out constant pets. But if you know me, you know I’m always down for four-legged friends in photos. They just bring that extra dose of personality.
A slow start, then full-on frolic mode
The Guelph Arboretum is kind of a dream location for an engagement session. It’s got a bit of everything: wide open fields, dreamy tree-lined paths, manicured gardens, a Japanese garden with a waterfall (yes, please), sculptures, gazebos, and so much lush green space. Basically a choose-your-own-photo-adventure.
We started slow, easing into the session with some quiet snuggles in the gardens. The nerves were real (and totally normal), but as we wandered and snapped and goofed around with the dogs, something shifted.
By the end of the session, they were frolicking, like literally frolicking through the fields, giggling, playing chase with the pups, and just fully leaning into the moment. It was such a joy to witness, and honestly… a bit of a cardio workout. Worth it.
The kind of session that sticks with you
There was no pressure, no need to be anything but themselves. Just a humid summer evening filled with laughter, happy pups, and two people letting their guards down and showing up as their full selves. That’s the magic. That’s what I live for.
Planning your own Guelph Arboretum engagement session?
Whether you're dreaming up a playful shoot with your dogs or hoping to sneak in a quiet moment together before the big day, the Arboretum is a perfect spot. If you’re looking for a Guelph engagement photographer who will hype you up, wrangle your dogs, and make sure you laugh your way through it all—I got you.
Reach out here and let’s start planning your own magic little moment.
