Angela and Anthony’s University of Toronto engagement photos were our second engagement session before their wedding. The first one was at the Toronto Zoo on Thanksgiving weekend the year before. Angela was looking for classic, formal engagement photos for their second session, so we organized one for their University of Toronto engagement photos at my favourite Knox College.

The Formal Toronto Engagement Photos With Double AA

Our first casual engagement photos were back in 2022, and Angela had only booked me for that session. Both of them did not know how the experience would be, so they wanted to make sure they were choosing the right photographer for their wedding.

After we had a great time at the Toronto Zoo, Angela and Anthony felt comfortable with me and decided to book me for their wedding in September 2024. They selected a photo collection that included an engagement session, but since we’d already done one, they opted out of that part.

Then, last year, Angela reached out and asked if we could schedule a second engagement session, but this time, she was envisioning something more formal. She chose Knox College for their University of Toronto engagement photos, and I was excited to shoot there again. I’d previously done Rabiya and Imran’s engagement photos at Knox College, so it was great to be back with Angela and Anthony.

The Black Tie Dress Engagement Session

It was mid-summer for their engagement session, and I was excited to work with them all dressed up inside, avoiding the heat and hush sunlight. From experience, I knew that the hour-and-a-half time slot for the photo permit would pass quickly. With that in mind, we jumped right into the shoot without wasting time on small talk.

Since we had worked together before, it was easy to dive straight into their vision. With clear instructions on what they wanted and what we would capture, I was able to bring their vision to life using my own photography style.

The beautiful architecture of Knox College always gets my creative juices flowing, and I love delivering more than expected. Initially, I worked on images that Angela had in mind. We started by going through Angela’s Pinterest board to recreate some of the pictures she had in mind. It was great to bring her vision to life!

The Unique Twist on These University of Toronto Engagement Photos

Angela’s vision didn’t really include outdoor shots from the courtyard at Knox College or the pathway from St. George Street. After we’d spent about 40 minutes inside, I wanted to share my creative take on their University of Toronto engagement photos.

I love the pathway and the natural light it offers, which provides unique opportunities to be creative depending on the time of day. This location lets me get great shots both inside the corridor and outside from different angles. The courtyard is also impressive, with its stunning architecture providing a fantastic backdrop.

I kept an eye on our time outside, knowing we would want to head back indoors for the final part of the session. Working with Angela and Anthony again was a joy; I could read their body language, and they were totally comfortable with showing affection for each other. They ended up creating such beautiful images, and I was really happy with how it all turned out.

Why Do I Have My Engagement Photo Session Last Two or More Hours?

Once we finished with the outdoor shots, we headed back inside for the final part of the session. I felt a bit rushed, not because of the couple but because of Knox College’s 90-minute photography permit. While 90 minutes is usually enough, meeting a couple for the first time often means spending extra time helping them feel at ease, which can reduce the shooting time. That gives them only 60 minutes, and sometimes, if there is traffic, the time shrinks even more.

That’s why I prefer a solid two-hour engagement session. With just one hour, especially when switching locations, it’s tough to get everything done. I don’t include travel time when calculating the session time. Feeling rushed can affect how relaxed and happy the photos turn out, so keeping travel time separate helps my couples stay at ease and allows me to capture truly fantastic images.

Heading back inside the University of Toronto turned out to be a fantastic idea. Angela and Anthony were excited to create some cute photos and get a feel for their big day. I took advantage of the beautiful light through the large stained-glass windows and used the stairs on both sides of the Knox College lobby to set up the perfect scene for their University of Toronto Engagement Photos.

The Stunning Architecture Match The Mood of The Session

The gorgeous architecture of Knox College’s lobby matched perfectly with the elegance of Angela’s dress and Anthony’s suit. While weddings usually stick to the classic black-and-white theme with the bride in white and the groom in black, both Angela and Anthony wore black for this session, which worked perfectly with the mood we wanted to create.

I aimed to capture the vibe as we experienced it without over-editing the photos. We wrapped up everything within the 90 minutes we had and started to head out. Angela and Anthony looked happy but understandably tired from the busy session. The rush of fitting everything into that short timeframe showed a bit, but it didn’t affect the great photos we got.

With Angela and Anthony’s wedding day just 25 days away, I’m really excited to capture more special moments with them, surrounded by their friends and family.

Additional information for couples that like to see more engagements and weddings with great architecture .

Check here Melody’s renewal of the vows session at Casa Loma. View our post Glendon Campus Wedding at York University for some inspiration for your upcoming wedding utilizing gorgeous architectures.