Photographing Corrine and Phil’s Balls Falls engagement was the most relaxed session we had last spring. While spring sessions often come with uncertainty about rain, we were fortunate to have a beautiful day with perfect temperatures and fantastic weather. Even before choosing their wedding venue, Corrine and Phil knew they wanted their engagement photos taken at Balls Falls.

The Balls Falls Engagement in Spring

I met Corrine and Phil at their local Niagara wedding show, and we connected instantly. One key detail about their wedding was the date—August 24, 2024. Around the same time they reached out to me, I received about 20 other inquiries for that same date, so I clearly remember our conversation and what we discussed.

Since they planned to have their wedding in the Niagara region, it made perfect sense to do their engagement session there as well. When we met in the Fall of 2023, we had just three seasons to schedule their Balls Falls engagement photos. Autumn felt too soon for them, and winter at Balls Falls was too risky for all of us.

Spring was the best choice, so we set their session for mid-May 2024. They also asked if they could bring their dog along, to which I enthusiastically said, “Yes, please!” and reminded them not to forget when the day arrived.

Springtime Engagement Photos in Niagara

At the start of the year, after a long Canadian winter, I realized just how excited I was to get back behind the camera and had been eagerly looking forward to this session.

I arrived early at the Balls Falls parking lot to scout the area and check for any changes since my last visit. The last time I photographed a Balls Falls engagement was in the fall when I worked with Andrea and Dylan, and we had an amazing time at this beautiful location. This time, I was excited to capture the vibrant colours of Canadian spring.

I recalled my last conversation with Corrine and Phil about their preferred photography style and what would make them feel comfortable in front of the camera. They were both quite nervous and wanted natural, unposed images. We came up with a plan to position them in ways that enhanced the beauty of their surroundings, but when it came to their emotions and expressions, I told them to forget I was there and just be themselves.

Having their dog with us gave me even more options to work with. I used their dog to help distract them from the awkwardness of posing, making the session feel more relaxed and natural.

When they arrived, I was thrilled to see the outfits they had chosen. Corrine’s light-coloured dress and Phil’s white shirt perfectly complemented their dog’s fur, creating a stunning scene against the vibrant backdrop of Balls Falls.

The First Chapter of Their Balls Falls Engagement Photos

After parking their car in the main lot, I walked ahead and asked Corrine and Phil to casually stroll down toward the barn and chapel area at Balls Falls. This gave them time to relax while I observed their body language, noting what they were naturally drawn to or hesitant about during the walk.

When we reached the area with the barn, church, and historic house, the sun was intense, so I suggested we start in the shade. The porch of the house provided the perfect spot, with its vibrant red brick facade and blooming flowers adding warmth to the photos.

After finishing there, I knew the rich tones of the distressed barn planks would make a great backdrop, so we moved over to that area. Slowly, I could sense their initial discomfort fading. They began to relax, have fun, and genuinely enjoy the session.

Next, we took a few bright and airy photos behind the church, using high-key lighting to create a soft, glowing effect. From there, we started walking toward the falls, hoping to capture them in the background, just as I had for Andrea and Dylan’s engagement session.

When we reached the retaining wall that protects visitors from the steep drop near the falls, I realized I needed to adjust my perspective to frame the couple with the waterfall behind them. The wall was a bit too tall for my height—at over six feet, it would have been ideal, or I could have used a ladder. Since I’m not six feet tall and didn’t have a ladder with me, I improvised by carefully climbing onto the retaining wall. From that angle, I captured some incredible shots of the couple with the waterfall in the background.

Exploring More of Niagara’s Beauty for the Second Half of Their Session

With plenty of photos taken in their first, more formal outfits and their dog, it was time for an outfit change. We returned to the cars, where they swapped into casual looks: jeans, white shirts, and white sneakers. They left their dog with Corrine’s father while we headed off to start the second part of their session.

For the second part of their Balls Falls engagement session, we planned to venture deeper into the forest, exploring areas along the river, within the trees, and possibly even the second waterfall. This waterfall was much larger than the first, though it had significantly less water flow.
Their choice of blue jeans and white T-shirts was perfect for capturing minimalist photos that focused on their expressions rather than the scenery or vibrant outfits.

In the forest, we had a blast working around massive boulders covered in thick moss. The setting was ideal for making use of the sunlight filtering through the tall trees, creating beautiful backlighting for the couple.
At one point, I wanted to position Corrine and Phil on a large stone in the middle of the river, just as I had done for Kate and Bryce’s engagement session at this location. I was able to guide them there and captured it from multiple angles.

As we exited the area, climbing between two huge boulders, I slipped and fell. Knowing I might need to step into the water at some point, I had worn my rain boots. But in that moment, as I lost my footing, I had a split-second decision to make—either drop my three cameras to brace myself or protect the cameras and risk injury. I instinctively chose the latter, wedging my foot between the rocks to break my fall.

A Stunning Spring Waterfall Engagement Photo Session

It was the wrong choice. I hurt my foot, but in the rush of adrenaline, I barely felt the pain at first. Meanwhile, a couple walking by tried to lighten the moment, joking, “Who cares about the foot? Save the camera!”—which, to be honest, summed up my thought process exactly.

Pushing through the discomfort, I acted as if nothing had happened, though the pain started creeping in as we made our way to the final location of the day.

When we arrived at the second waterfall, Corrine fully grasped just how intimidating it was. The height made her uneasy, so I didn’t push for them to get too close to the edge. Still, I wanted to capture a few photos here so they could remember this spot as part of their Balls Falls engagement session.

Once we finished taking images that showcased the sheer size of the waterfall compared to us, we moved to a quieter spot on the side of the falls. I loved how the sunlight illuminated this area, creating the perfect ambient light.

I positioned Corrine and Phil in this spot, which felt like the most natural and authentic representation of them and what they wanted from their engagement photos. They were visibly tired by this point, and their interactions in those candid moments gave me the perfect opportunity to capture their love and connection.

With the final images taken, we began the walk back to the cars. During this time, I learned about their wedding venue—until that moment, they hadn’t yet decided where they would get married. They told me they had chosen Peach Country Orchard, just a few kilometres from Balls Falls.

Capturing Corrine and Phil’s Relaxed Balls Falls Engagement Session

As we said our goodbyes, I got into my car and started driving home—only then realizing just how swollen and bruised my foot had become from my earlier fall between the rocks. It turned completely blue, and it took me 15 days to recover. But honestly, I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I love what I do, and nothing was going to stop me from completing this session.

I’m happy to say that I had the privilege of photographing Corrine and Phil’s wedding last summer. We had an incredible time at Peach Country Orchard. I’ll be sharing more about their wedding day in an upcoming blog post—stay tuned for some truly beautiful moments!

Check How did this Inglis Falls engagement photographer make his couple feel on top of the world? for some fun waterfalls engagement photos. View our post Why Albion Falls engagement session in worth the challenge? for some inspiration for your waterfalls engagements.