Although Scarborough Bluffs engagements have been very popular among Toronto photographers, each of us has a unique approach and style of photography to offer to our couples. This means that even if we’re photographing the same couple at the same time, the results will be distinctly different, each reflecting the photographer’s personal touch.
So, when Dorota and Glenn suggested starting their engagement photos at Scarborough Bluffs and then moving on to Guild Inn Estate for the second part, I was totally on board with the plan.

Golden Hour at This Scarborough Bluffs Engagement

Once we finalized our plans for the engagement session at Scarborough Bluffs, I began organizing the logistics to make the most of this beautiful location. I also needed to consider the available natural light for our first location.

Dorota and Glenn wanted their photos taken during the golden hour at Scarborough Bluffs, so we planned to start the session later in the day to capture that soft, warm light. However, I noticed that the Bluffs start to get shaded after 4 pm in the summer. If we were in the shaded area by the cliffs at the beach, we’d miss out on the golden hour’s glow.

While the light would be softer later in the day, it wouldn’t be enough for the second location we had in mind. Therefore, we decided to meet right after 4 pm and head to the Bluffs from there.

Perfect Time for a Photo Session at The Beach

Travelling toward the beach area from the parking space, I imagined many photographers trying to get the best angle for their people at the beach. It would be hard, so I wanted to prepare myself.

But when we got to the spot where we planned to shoot, I was surprised to find only one group wrapping up their session and nearly done. The entire beach was empty, giving us complete freedom to move around. I was really glad we chose this time, knowing that most photographers would show up between 6 and 7 pm on a warm summer evening.
With the beach all to ourselves, we jumped right in. I started working with Glenn and Dorota in the Bluffs’ most iconic spots. Dorota had shared some ideas with me beforehand, so I was excited to bring her vision to life.

Having the place to ourselves was a huge plus, and with the couple fully engaged, we quickly got some amazing shots.

Do You Know Why This Scarborough Bluffs Engagement Location is so Popular Among Toronto Photographers?

If you haven’t been to Scarborough Bluffs yet, you’re in for something special. The way the beach sits next to the bluffs, combined with the setting sun, creates a soft, beautiful light that’s perfect for all kinds of photography.

If you like to create dramatic scenes with a flash, you can bring the vibrancy of the sky to overpower everything else. On the other hand, if you prefer a soft and airy look, using the shade that covers the entire beach will provide you with incredible available light. By using a shallow depth of field and a wide-open lens, you can offer your clients the perfect imagery. Scouting over the internet, I realized that this location can be very versatile if you also like to create some dark and moody photos.
Many photographers in the Greater Toronto area favour Scarborough Bluffs for photo shoots, making it a popular choice among us.

However, I want to get back with my story of Dorota and Glenn’s engagement.

Perfect Transition to The Next Photography Location

Dorota and Glenn selected bright colours for the first part of the photo session, which worked perfectly with our vision. As the sun began to set, the golden hues complemented their outfits and the surroundings beautifully. Just as we were about to leave, four groups of photographers and other people arrived in the area. It was the perfect time to go, I thought.

We had planned to visit Guild Inn Estate and capture some images featuring darker colours and a more dressed-up look. While both of them were changing their outfits, I explored Guild Inn Estate to scout for possible locations to use in our photos. I wasn’t concerned about other photographers or the place being busy. Instead, I was worried about the limited available light since it was almost 7 pm.

Ultimately, it wasn’t the time of day that posed a challenge but the location itself. The area was filled with mature trees and had less light, making achieving the look I wanted challenging. I knew that night would work with some off-camera lighting for my signature nighttime photos, but I was more concerned about the other parts of the estate.

Guild Inn Estate Engagement at Twilight

Thankfully, Dorota and Glenn changed into their outfits quickly, so we arrived at Guild Inn and started taking photos earlier than we had expected. They adjusted their facial expressions and moods to match their outfits, which was extremely helpful for me in approaching this part of the engagement session with a completely different look.

I documented a more intimate feel to the session while they enjoyed a private and secluded location, which was quite different from the previous one.

We were busy working on one of our last images using available light when I realized we were in a completely dark area. Both were familiar with my night photography, so we quickly shifted toward this approach and started taking more dramatic photos.

I wanted to offer them all my styles so they could decide what their preference would be for their wedding day. There would never be too many photos, so we worked almost until 8:30 pm when we called it a night.

I was so happy we could capture Dorota and Glenn’s Scarborough Bluffs engagement in so many different ways. It really helped us get ready for their wedding day. Their wedding the following summer was fantastic, and I shared the whole story in their blog post, ” The Perfect Parkwood Estate Wedding: How To Plan Yours.”

Thank you so much, Dorota and Glenn, for the fantastic time and great Scarborough Bluffs engagement session.

Additional information for couples that like to see more engagements and weddings in by the lake.

Check here the engagement session of Reena and Lee at Humber Bay Park. View our post R.C Harris Water Treatment Engagement at Golden Hour for some inspiration for your upcoming engagement.