I first met Suzanne and Joseph at the local Niagara Wedding Rings Expo for this unique Niagara-on-the-Lake Engagement. At the wedding show, both were very impressed with the images and my portfolio’s vibrant, realistic look. Although their wedding is in their homeland, Africa, they wanted their engagement captured in Canada, the place they now call home.

Early Planning Stages of this Niagara-on-the-Lake Engagement

Joseph got in touch with me after the wedding show, and we began planning their engagement session in Niagara-on-the-Lake. When we first started discussing locations, they had a vision in mind but were unsure of an actual location. While talking, I suggested a few different ideas, but ultimately, they needed to decide for themselves from the many possibilities.

To assist them with this process, I shared my website page, “Photography Locations Tips,” which showcases my work at over 400 locations across Southern Ontario. They found plenty of options they liked, but one location really stood out. They fell in love with Niagara-on-the-Lake and knew it was the perfect place for their engagement photos.

This city offered everything they were looking for and more.
To make the most of the experience, they stayed at the Queen’s Landing Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Its location in the heart of downtown was perfect, giving us the ideal starting point for capturing their special moments.

Starting the Engagement Session at Queen’s Landing

I have fond memories of Queen’s Landing from a wedding I photographed there a few years ago. Megan and Rob’s big day felt like a magical fairy tale, and the photos we captured highlighted the hotel’s charm, downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake, and the lake itself.

Queen’s Landing is also part of the Vintage Hotels group, a company I’m proud to be associated with as a preferred wedding photographer for Caledon-area wedding professionals.

Suzanne and Joseph stayed overnight at Queen’s Landing, and we planned to meet there in the morning. To make sure we captured the spots most meaningful to them, I asked Joseph for feedback on his preferred locations around Niagara-on-the-Lake. Based on his input, we created a route that let us explore this charming town while photographing all the places that were special to them.

The Downton Niagara-on-the-Lake Engagement Photos

To make the most of the time Suzanne and Joseph had planned for their photos, I had to do my homework and plan this engagement session down to the last detail. I love that Suzanne chose a beautiful yellow dress, which added a vibrant touch to the session, while Joseph complemented her look with red pants.

We began our photo session at the Queen’s Royal Park Gazebo, located at the lakefront with views of Lake Ontario. The park and walkway were relatively quiet at this time of day, giving us an excellent opportunity to connect and figure out what worked best for them.

After completing the first part of the session, we headed towards downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake. As always, I felt like a child in a toy store. The city was bright and full of life, and the sun lit the street and the storefronts beautifully. Because of all it could provide us, I decided to spend almost half our time here.

The chemistry between Suzanne and Joseph was extraordinary. They were so in sync that every photo I took of them turned out beautifully.

The Prince of Wales Quick Stop for this Engagement Photo Session

We planned to stop by the Prince of Wales on our way back. Suzanne and Joseph were going to rent a horse carriage, and I would photograph them. However, no carriages were available when we arrived, even though they had been there earlier.

Instead of wasting time, I captured some fantastic photos of two of them with the red facade of this hotel. By this point, Suzanne and Joseph were very comfortable with me, which made the final part of the session smoother.

We were heading back to Queen’s Landing, where they would change outfits for more formal and intimate photos. Along the way, we met a horse carriage right in front of Queen’s Landing Hotel. Joseph asked if we could take a few pictures before going inside, and the carriage driver was happy to help.

To make the most of the moment, I quickly photographed Suzanne and Joseph enjoying a short ride around the front of the hotel. It was the perfect touch for what we had planned, and after just a minute or two, they went inside to change into their next outfit.

Queen’s Landing Engagement Photo Session

While Suzanne and Joseph changed outfits in their room, I took the opportunity to plan our next locations inside the hotel. I mapped out spots in the lobby, the library, and the path connecting the back restaurant to the hotel for their photos.

Once they were ready, we quickly moved through these locations and captured the shots we needed. By the third hour of the session, I could see they were getting tired from all the walking and posing, which was understandable. To refresh the photos, I asked them to snuggle closer, giving the session a more intimate feel.

We finished with photos in the wedding garden next to the hotel and some shots in front of it. In the final images, their joy and connection were evident in their expressions.

After walking them back to the hotel and wishing them a great stay, I drove home for 1.5 hours, reflecting on the session. I was impressed with how Suzanne and Joseph’s choice of a Niagara-on-the-Lake engagement session resulted in such vibrant and diverse photos.

Thank you both for being yourselves and for choosing such a fantastic setting. Your engagement session will be a wonderful reference for future couples planning their own Niagara-on-the-Lake engagement.

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

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