For these fall Guelph Arboretum engagement photos of Dana and Jesse, we had everything that makes a session successful. The first and most important piece was the couple themselves, who radiated positivity from the moment we met. The second was the fantastic location—the University of Guelph Arboretum. Just 400 meters from my home studio, this versatile spot offers a beautiful setting in every season.

On top of that, the weather was perfect, and golden hour light added the final touch. With all of these elements aligning, their Guelph Arboretum engagement already felt like a success before we even clicked the first photo.

Why I Love Photographing Guelph Arboretum Engagement Photos?

Besides being just steps from my studio, the Guelph Arboretum is unlike any other place I’ve seen in my 25 years of photography. Every corner is thoughtfully cared for and beautifully maintained. The versatility of the gardens allows me to match each couple’s vision with the surroundings and even their clothing choices.

No matter how often I photograph here, the Arboretum always manages to surprise me. I feel grateful to have such a gem right at my fingertips, which I can share with my engaged couples. As I’ve mentioned, every couple brings their own energy to a session, and that was certainly true for Dana and Jesse’s Guelph Arboretum engagement.

They were especially drawn to the forestry section, eager to capture the beauty of the changing leaves and the rich, unique colours that autumn brings to this space. To kick off their session, we began in the deeper, more forested part of the Arboretum—an area I had never photographed before.

 

Forest Fall Photos in Guelph

I first met Dana and Jesse at my local Guelph wedding expo, and since then, we’ve planned both their engagement and wedding locally. For their wedding, they’ve chosen Whistle Bear Golf Club, which I’ll be sharing more about in the coming months.

When we met at the Arboretum parking lot, I asked them to show me where they would like to begin. It was late afternoon, and the sunshine gave us excellent visibility, even as we moved through the thick forest. Since I hadn’t worked with them before, my goal was to help them feel comfortable in front of the camera. I posed them on a fallen log, then stepped back to let them snuggle and enjoy the moment while I quietly found the best angles to capture their presence in the Arboretum without distraction.

It’s fascinating to see how people interact when they don’t feel the pressure of a camera. Dana and Jesse were so naturally sweet with one another that all I had to do was capture those beautiful, genuine moments.

Fall Season Photos for this Guelph Arboretum Engagement

As we worked in an area dominated by yellow tones, I wanted to bring more vibrant colours into their photos. While searching for rich reds, I spotted some in an open space. To create a stronger contrast, I posed them on the ground, allowing me to capture the red leaves above, framed by the blue sky in the background, with their silhouettes in the foreground. They fit together like a puzzle, creating a beautiful visual of two bodies in love.

After finishing those shots, we moved to a spot covered in layers of fallen leaves. To showcase the scene from a different angle, I asked them to lie down on the ground, which allowed me to photograph them from above. This perspective added a unique look to their Guelph Arboretum engagement photos.

Right beside that location, we stepped out onto the sunny side of the trees, glowing with vibrant yellows. The sun was still strong, so I positioned them with their backs to the light, capturing the golden tones of the sun as it poured over the nearly bare branches. The colours were so vivid and full of life that no post-production work was needed to enhance them.

What Time of The Day is The Best for Taking Photos at Guelph Arboretum?

As we moved from place to place within the Guelph Arboretum, I couldn’t help but notice how each spot takes on a unique look depending on the season and even the time of day. It’s nearly impossible to recreate the exact same scene more than once. Not that it can’t be done, but it will never look identical—and why should it, when every couple brings their own story and energy?

If I had to choose the best time for Guelph Arboretum engagement photos, 5 pm would be my prime hour. Summertime it offers shaded areas to escape the harsh sun. In the fall, it gives us golden hour light that can’t be replicated at any other time. In winter, 5 pm often means working with sunset or twilight tones that add warmth to cold days. And in spring, the sidelight at that hour enhances the fresh greenery and colourful blooms.

For Dana and Jesse’s Guelph Arboretum engagement, we were already nearing 6 pm and entering the final stage of golden hour. I brought them to one of my favourite spots—a bench near a sugar maple tree where the sun peeks through from behind. There, we captured some intimate close-up shots before continuing into the last part of their session.

The Black Pond at the University of Guelph Arboretum

The pond beside the OAC Centennial Arboretum Centre is one of my favourite spots in the Guelph Arboretum. I’ve learned that to prevent algae growth, certain safe substances are added to the water. This keeps the pond darker in colour and highly reflective—an ideal surface for photography.

I often choose this location to either begin or end a session, giving couples a sweeping view that ties the whole Guelph Arboretum engagement together. For Dana and Jesse, we finished here, and I was thrilled with everything we created during their session.

Along the way, we built a wonderful connection that carried through to their Whistle Bear wedding, where we captured even more beautiful memories. I’m so excited to share part of this lovely couple’s milestone moments.

Check this engagement session of Camilla and Tommy at Arboretum in Guelph. View our post “Documenting a Beautiful Guelph City Hall Wedding” for some inspiration for your upcoming wedding in Guelph.