For Gabriela and Bruna’s Guild Inn Estate Engagement, we had the perfect fall day—exactly what we had hoped for. Since they wanted a true autumn feel in their photos, we rescheduled the session a few times to find the ideal date. By planning it close to golden hour, we made the most of the beautiful sunlight for their engagement photos.
How We Arrived at this Guild Inn Estate Engagement
I met Bruna and Gabi at the Niagara Wedding Show in 2023. Our booth had a secondary display with albums, creating a quiet corner for visitors to browse through our work. They chose this spot and took their time enjoying the images.
My wife was the first to talk with them, but when they asked if I had photographed at the Royal Ambassador in Caledon, she called me over. I confirmed I had and showed them albums featuring weddings I had captured at their venue.
Meeting them at the Niagara Wedding Show when their wedding venue was in Caledon was a bit unexpected. However, that didn’t make me any less excited to hear about their plans. As we talked, I could see how much they loved my vibrant photos and how much they enjoyed sharing the experience of looking through the albums together.
Spending time with them, I was beyond excited and made sure to express how great it would be if we worked together. A couple of weeks later, they reached out, and we made it official. By then, they already knew they wanted a fall engagement session, which led us to schedule their Guild Inn Estate Engagement.
One of The Best Photo Locations in Toronto
As I mentioned earlier, we had to reschedule the session a couple of times, which meant our planned start time kept getting earlier as the days grew shorter and daylight became more limited.
That same morning, I had another engagement session in Aberfoyle. It was a crisp day, but the sunshine was plentiful, and the clouds were perfectly scattered across the sky.
We met Bruna and Gabi around 3 PM at the entrance gate of the Guild Inn Estate. They both arrived in white pants and blazers, looking absolutely adorable. Even though their outfits were similar, their distinct personalities and mannerisms made them look completely unique in their own way.
I could sense some initial nervousness in their body language—the uncertainty of being in front of the camera. I wanted to help them relax as quickly as possible so we could make the most of the stunning fall colours and the beautiful setting that this Guild Inn Estate Engagement had to offer.
As the sun lowered on the horizon, it created a breathtaking backlight—exactly what I had envisioned for their photos.
Bruna and Gabi’s Guild Inn Estate Engagement Photos
While working on engagement photos, I always emphasize the importance of enjoying the moment—capturing authentic expressions and the joy of simply being together.
Bruna was a bit more at ease and helped Gabi relax by hugging her, creating a sweet moment where they naturally started laughing and smiling at each other. Seeing this, we moved to one of the signature spots at the Guild Inn Estate—the Greek Theatre at Guild Park and Gardens.
The sunlight backlit them beautifully, making the setting even more inviting for photos. I stepped back to give them space to enjoy the moment, capturing wide shots of the entire area while also zooming in with my other camera to focus on their interactions and playful moments.
As they got more comfortable, the initial awkwardness faded, and they truly started to enjoy the experience. A few other photographers were also in the area, capturing their own couples and making the most of the perfect weather.
Bruna and Gabi noticed how different my approach was compared to the others. While I don’t compare my work to other photographers, the atmosphere I create during a session is unique. Seeing how well my style aligned with their vision for their Guild Inn Estate Engagement reassured them that they had made the right choice.
The Dance That Unites These Two
Once we finished the photos I had planned at the Greek Theatre, I wanted to shift to a more candid and unposed style. For the second part of the session, Bruna and Gabi walked toward the back of the Guild Inn Estate, and I captured the sweet, natural moments along the way.
When we reached a bench at the back of the park, the lighting perfectly illuminated their backs, and I noticed a complete shift in their energy. They became more comfortable, leaning into each other, hugging more often, and exchanging playful glances. This was exactly the feel and look I had envisioned.
As we continued further into the park, passing by various historical relics, I spotted a beautifully lit area along the path. I wanted to take more than just a couple of photos there. However, instead of directing them into posed shots, I decided to keep things natural and let the moment unfold.
At one point, I noticed them start to dance together, but I wasn’t sure if it was intentional. I asked, “Would you two dance for me while I photograph it?” Their faces lit up immediately. “We actually met dancing!” they told me excitedly. “That’s amazing! If you could pick a song, play it, and I’ll capture the moment,” I said.
From there, everything flowed effortlessly—candid, joyful, and full of warmth. Even visitors passing by could feel the energy they were sharing. The golden hour sunlight created the perfect backdrop, casting a warm glow on their silhouettes as they danced.
I took so many photos that I eventually realized we needed to move on to capture more of the session. With that, we continued exploring, making sure their Guild Inn Estate Engagement was photographed perfectly.
The Picnic Scene at Guild Inn Park and Gardens
Bruna and Gabriela had planned a second outfit and something special to them—a picnic at the Guild Inn Gardens. They had brought everything they needed, carefully preparing for this moment.
As we walked toward their car so they could change, we stopped at different relics and locations that stood out to me—places where I knew they would blend beautifully with the surroundings. While they got ready, I took the opportunity to scout areas we hadn’t photographed yet, looking for where the sunlight was still visible.
The space between the Guild Inn Estate and the Greek Theatre was the last spot still catching the sunlight, though it was fading fast. I chose this as the location for their picnic setup.
Up until now, most of the photos focused on candid moments and the fall scenery. For this part of the session, I wanted to get in closer, capturing more intimate moments of them enjoying their time together.
Bruna had brought a homemade traditional Brazilian cake, along with grapes and other treats, and they settled into their picnic. Everything aligned perfectly—the setting, the sunlight, their interactions, and the vibrant colours of their checkered shirts.
Most of this set was captured in one spot, and once the sun had set, I wanted to take more photos in their second outfit with a fresh atmosphere and a new backdrop.
Beautiful Ending of an Engagement Session
We started the session by taking photos near one of the old gates at Guild Inn Park, then made our way to the far end of the property, almost reaching the Scarborough Bluffs. From there, Bruna and Gabriela casually walked toward their car while I captured the final moments of their Guild Inn Estate Engagement photos. They looked so happy and excited about the great work we had done together. By this point, the sun had set, and the cool air started to make us feel chilly. As we reached their car, I thought, “Right on time!”
That wrapped up their Guild Inn Estate Engagement session. Thank you, Bruna and Gabriela, for smiling with me and enjoying your time at this beautiful location. I’m excited to see you both again on your wedding day and create more magic together!
Additional information for couples that like to see more Guild Inn engagements and intimate same-sex wedding and proposal.
Check The intimate and heartfelt wedding of Sebastian and Federico at Edgewater Manor. View our post Intimate Toronto Music Garden Proposal with Fall Colours for some inspiration for your surprise proposal. In this post Why This Scarborough Bluffs Engagement Location is Very Popular you can see some more Guild Inn Estate Engagements.
My passion and biggest asset is taking the time to make every client comfortable and relaxed before I even pick up the camera. The result? Photos of you that actually look like you at your best! I can prove to you how much you can enjoy having your picture taken. Lifestyle photography is about the experience that happens to be served up along side of some great photos.
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Family Photography for families that like to move around and enjoy their photo time, Wedding Photography for couples looking for a mixture of photojournalistic, contemporary and traditional images and Professional Corporate headshots that are far from cheesy and stiff.