For Rose and Ceasar’s Konzelmann Estate Winery Engagement, we scheduled it at the perfect time to capture the winery’s charm. From the moment we created the contract, they knew they wanted their engagement photos taken there, making this location truly special to them.

Located in the Niagara on the Lake region, Konzelmann Estate Winery is one of the few wineries with exclusive access to Lake Ontario’s lakefront. This feature, along with the beautiful vineyards and spacious outdoor area, makes it one of the most desirable venues. However, before diving into Rose and Ceasar’s session, I want to share how I met them.

I first met Rose and Ceasar while exhibiting at the Winter Modern Bride wedding show. While discussing their plans and needs, Ceaser pointed to Mike and Ivana’s wedding photos in my albums. He knew both of them and was thrilled to find someone he knew that I had worked with.

After our initial meeting, he informed me they had also hired a videographer who had previously worked with one of their friends. I was delighted to work with clients connected to my past wedding couples for several reasons. Most importantly, we shared the same values and appreciated the same style of photography.

Konzelmann Estate Winery Engagement in Spring

Rose and Ceasar chose to take their Konzelmann Estate Winery engagement photos on a late spring afternoon. The temperature was warm enough to work both outside and inside, with no heat or wind in the forecast.

We were all excited to work together, and I looked forward to my first photo session at this location. We planned to start in the winery’s cellar and then move indoors until the sun got lower on the horizon. After that, Rose and Ceasar would change into casual outfits, and we would transition to the lakefront for some champagne and intimate winery shots.

The part of the cellar we were allowed to access at Konzelmann Estate Winery had a more modern look than we had anticipated. However, there was a surprise waiting for us—a flood had occurred in the cellar the night before, so we couldn’t work in that area. Instead, we were permitted to work only in the tasting room just outside the cellar.

Having a lot of experience with wedding day surprises, I didn’t let this throw us off balance. Instead, I immediately started working on a plan for what we could do in this four-walled room. With only 1.5 hours to use this area, I wanted to make the most of our time.

The Photo Creativity Approach Triggered by Surprise

In the testing area, mirrors lined one side of the room, leaving me with only three usable walls to work with. This pushed me to think outside the box and try some unconventional approaches to create beautiful photos of the couple. Despite the unexpected challenge, I was surprised by how my creativity thrived under pressure, all while ensuring Rose and Ceasar had a relaxed and enjoyable experience. My priority was capturing their genuine joy and fun, keeping their session focused on positive moments rather than the cellar mishap.

Keeping that in mind, I started using the reflections from the mirrors to get creative with our photos, using off-camera flashes to add different looks to each shot we took in that room. After about 30 minutes, we moved to the upper part of the winery, where I found a beautiful second level that was completely empty, giving us so many opportunities for creative photos.

In this new setting, I shifted to a more natural and intimate style compared to the cellar, where we had to rely more on posed shots and dramatic lighting.

The Lakefront View at this Konzelmann Estate Winery Engagement

I’ve had the chance to photograph at several wineries in Niagara on the Lake, but accessing the lakefront during vineyard photo sessions hasn’t been possible. Most wineries are situated on the other side of the Queen Elizabeth Way highway, nestled under the Bruce Trail along the Niagara Escarpment.

At Konzelmann Estate Winery, we had the privilege of accessing the lakefront and enjoying the stunning blue hues of Lake Ontario. While there wasn’t beach access, that wasn’t our focus. Instead, we wanted to capture the moment of popping champagne and the couple’s enjoyment in their more casual outfits near the serene white gazebo.

It was amazing to see that both of them truly enjoyed the photo session and did not feel nervous or uncomfortable. Once we wrapped up at the gazebo, we headed towards the vineyard.

There, I had the opportunity to capture some incredible shots of them strolling through the vineyard, with the option of the lake or the escarpment in the background. To give them choices, I took photos with both backgrounds so they could decide which they liked best.

The Front Entrance Area at this Niagara Finest Winery

Before we moved from the cellar to the second level of the winery, we took a break outside. I used this opportunity to capture some beautiful photos using the main entrance and the large wooden doors of the estate. I had intended to revisit the front of the winery later, but it was pretty busy with visitors at that moment, so I decided to wait until we had finished the majority of our photoshoot.

Now that we had covered all the areas we wanted, I began working at the front of the winery. The sun had already dipped behind the nearby silos, creating shaded areas that allowed me to capture some unique photos of them next to the wooden barrels displayed at the winery’s entrance.

When I first arrived at Konzelmann Estate Winery, I noticed an observation platform built into the parking area. I immediately knew I wanted to capture our final photos there. It was incredible to incorporate the stunning views from this spot into Rose and Ceasar’s Konzelmann Estate Winery engagement photos.

The Cherry on Top of The Cake

After we finished the last frame, Ceasar mentioned he wanted to stop by their new house in Niagara on the Lake for some photos. I agreed and suggested stopping by a nearby silos on the opposite side of the winery first. I had passed by this spot on my way to the winery and thought it would make a great location, though I wasn’t sure if we’d have enough time or if the lighting would cooperate.

Fortunately, everything fell into place perfectly. We parked and spent a good 10 minutes capturing creative and completely different photos from those at the winery. After a short drive, we arrived at their new house—a charming bungalow in a secluded, friendly area with a very intimate and natural atmosphere.

In this session, I mainly focused on highlighting the front entrance area. We finished our Konzelmann Estate Winery engagement session sitting on the front porch. As we finished up, I could see a mixture of tiredness and happiness in their eyes, knowing that we had captured everything they desired. I left them there to carry on with planning their dream house renovation.

Additional information for couples that like to see more engagements and weddings in Niagara on the Lake.

Check here the engagement session of Alicia and Jeff at Creekside Estate Winery. View our post Luxury Niagara Venue Hosts the Elegant Lincoln Estates Wedding for some inspiration for your upcoming wedding.