Okay, this session has a special little place in my heart. Rachel & Thomas are the kind of couple you just instantly click with; you meet them, hear their story, and you're like yep, I get it now.



They’ve been together since they were 18/19, and you can feel that ease between them, the kind of connection that’s grown up alongside them. She’s an occupational therapist, he’s a baker (more on that in a second!), and they originally found me through Instagram. I'd just photographed a wedding at a venue owned by the same team building theirs, yes, they booked a venue that didn’t even exist yet, but the vision was there and honestly, I love the bold energy.


And their proposal story? Iconic. They went for a walk at the Huron Natural Area and mid-trail, Thomas had his brother set out a box with pretzels and roses spelling out “Will you marry me” (yes, he co-owns a bakery and yes, pretzels are the specialty, we love a theme). The best part? Rachel was so confused by the whole thing she refused to walk over to the box. 😂 He ended up bringing it to her and proposing right there with his brother and his girlfriend snapping photos from the bushes. Unexpected, hilarious, and totally them.


Downtown Elora – Charm for Days


Fast forward to their engagement session, after a few reschedules thanks to this year’s weather being extra, we finally got a perfect day in Elora. Not too hot, just enough sun, and a bit of that late summer glow that makes everything look like a movie scene.


We started near the Elora Mill, wandering along the other side of the river. If you’ve never been, it’s one of those towns that feels like a set from a movie. Old stone buildings, floral bridges, patios tucked into quiet corners, and the sound of the river below. The energy is peaceful but full of character, a dream location for anyone wanting a mix of architecture and nature. It’s easily one of my favourite spots for engagement sessions in the area. If you’re planning something similar, you can find more location ideas and details here. It’s one of those places that feels like a slow Sunday stroll, even when you’re working.


And even though they were both a little nervous at the start (first-timers for professional photos!), they settled in fast. Like really fast. Thomas even said, “this isn’t so bad,” and you know what? It wasn’t. They totally leaned into it and were just themselves. Sweet, playful, connected, a total dream to photograph.


I cannot wait for their wedding at their not-so-imaginary venue later this year.

Victoria Park – Forest Magic in the Middle of Town


Next stop: Victoria Park. There’s a little forest tucked right into the city that always surprises people. The trees are tall and textured, the ground is criss-crossed with roots, and the whole area feels a bit magical. We found a lookout spot where the sun was just peeking above the trees, and it genuinely looked like a scene out of a rom-com. Rachel & Thomas were the main characters. No question.

Wandering the Elora Gorge – Low River, High Vibes


We wrapped the evening down in the Elora Gorge, climbing down the rocky path as the light dipped a little lower. Since it hadn’t rained in a while, the river was low and made exploring way easier. The rocky riverbed, the tall trees hugging each side, a stunning bridge in the distance, caves in the cliffside, it’s unreal down there. We stepped across rocks, sat on big stone slabs, and ventured into the cliffside caves. It’s wild to think they’d walked through Elora before but hadn’t really explored the gorge.

Counting Down to Wren House by Stella


I can’t wait to photograph their wedding at the brand new Wren House by Stella later this year, it just hosted their first couple of weddings and it already looks stunning. Rachel & Thomas were visionaries in choosing it early on, and I have no doubt their wedding day is going to be pure magic.

Planning your own engagement session?


Whether you’re dreaming of downtown charm, riverside cliffs, or forest paths, Elora has it all, and I’d love to show you around.


Reach out here to plan your engagement session or say hey! Let’s make something beautiful together.