For Sarah and Justin’s Webster’s Falls engagement, I returned to this fantastic location after nine years. My first experience with this breathtaking waterfall in the heart of Hamilton was in 2015, when I photographed Francesca and Kevin’s engagement. At that time, we scheduled the photo session for golden hour.

For Sarah and Justin, we planned the photo session for early afternoon, just before the rain. The forecast was calling for rain, so we timed everything to finish before it started. We couldn’t postpone to another day, as I was scheduled for hernia surgery just a couple of days after the session.

The Tranquillity of this Webster’s Falls Engagement

When rain is in the forecast—and we’re working with the unpredictability of the fall season—I always want to get started right away as soon as I meet my couple. I don’t want their plans to change at the last minute. That could mean taking another day off work or having to rearrange their schedule completely.

Right in front of the falls parking lot, there was a single vibrant tree. Its leaves had turned a striking red. The sunlight hit it perfectly from the side, making it glow beautifully.

Even though I knew I needed to connect with my couple before diving into the session, I was also concerned about the rain starting to fall. So instead of stopping at the tree right away, I asked them to walk through the nearby field and casually head toward me.

This gave me a chance to observe their natural behaviour. It also gave them time to settle in, knowing I was photographing from a distance. That small window helped them ease into the session before any posed images.

Sarah was giggling—a sure sign of nervousness. Justin, on the other hand, seemed calm, smiling, and relaxed. That allowed me to connect with him first. Slowly, Sarah began to relax too and started enjoying the experience.

Eventually, we made our way back to that vibrant tree. The slightly overcast skies worked in our favour, and we captured some stunning shots there before heading closer to the falls.

The Unique Perspectives When Photographing Waterfalls

If you haven’t visited Webster’s Falls, you should go soon. The falls are beautiful—but they aren’t easily accessible for photography in a way that allows people to stand directly near them. The view is stunning from both sides. But to capture it properly, you either have to be tall or shoot from above to reveal the waterfall behind the couple.

From my past experience photographing Francesca and Kevin here, I’ve learned where to place my couples to get the best results. That knowledge really came in handy during this session.

After taking photos of Sarah and Justin from the most popular viewing area, I had them walk to the other side of the falls. There’s a small bridge that connects the back of the falls to another breathtaking view from the opposite end. That’s where I placed them next.

It’s always incredible to see how small we appear next to the size of the falls. Using a wider lens helps me show that contrast. From that distance, I was able to capture Sarah and Justin standing on the observatory side—with the entire waterfall in view.

For their Webster’s Falls engagement, the weather continued to hold. Once we wrapped up those shots, I decided to add my signature touch for the session. We moved inside the falls area to finish with something extra special.

Webster’s Falls Engagement in Fall

As the sun moved quickly across the sky, it created a shaded area by the river. I wanted to photograph my couple there, near the second bridge in the area. The light in that spot had softened just enough to create a quiet, romantic mood.

By this point, I had fully connected with Sarah and Justin. That made it easy to move smoothly from spot to spot. We were able to photograph them in a new setting without losing time. The result? Some fantastic images.

Before the session, Sarah had mentioned that they wanted to stop by another location just off the falls. There’s a beautiful lookout there, with a view over the valley and out toward Hamilton.

They were planning to change outfits, so this was the perfect time to make the stop—right after their outfit change.

At many of the earlier spots we visited, access was limited. Because of that, we couldn’t capture as many candid or unposed moments as I normally aim for. But once we finished those photos, the more relaxed and fun part of their Webster’s Falls engagement session began.

Their mood had really lifted by then. My candid, unposed style fit perfectly with the energy of that part of the shoot.

As we made our way back toward the parking lot, I knew it was the perfect time to return to that red tree landscape. It felt like the right place to end the session—capturing their joyful energy against such a vibrant, striking backdrop.

Why is it a Good Idea to have an Outfit Change During an Engagement Session?

From my couple’s perspective, an outfit change brings a fresh look and a shift in mood during their engagement session.

For me, a change of outfit also brings a shift in emotions—and a different kind of connection between the couple. Why is that?

Once someone changes into their preferred outfit, their confidence tends to grow. They triple-check their appearance. And instead of feeling unsure about their hair, makeup, or clothing, they feel refreshed and ready for another round of photos.

That’s exactly what happened during Sarah and Justin’s Webster’s Falls engagement.

After their outfit change, we began creating some dramatic images using the moody clouds overhead. At the same time, I could sense we had less than 30 minutes before the rain would catch up with us.

We quickly packed up, and I followed their car to the second location. It was a small lookout just off the road descending from Webster’s Falls.

The sunlight hit the valley perfectly. It was a beautiful spot for photos—as long as I lit my couple properly.

To capture more of the view, I climbed a nearby concrete structure. From above, I was able to photograph them with the valley stretching out behind them.

From that high vantage point, I also spotted a stunning view of the road winding along the cliff. I asked Sarah and Justin to step onto the road so I could photograph the sweeping scene with them in it.

Thanks to all of these unique circumstances coming together, we created some truly memorable images. And then, we said our goodbyes.

Waterfall Couples Photography

As Sarah and Justin drove away, and I was packing my equipment into the trunk of my car, I started to feel the first raindrops.

I got into the car just in time—moments later, the sky opened up and the rain poured down. It was coming down so hard that I decided to stay parked until the clouds passed.

That was, without a doubt, the most photo-finish experience I’ve had in my career. I was so glad we managed to capture Sarah and Justin’s Webster’s Falls engagement without interruption—and even better, we were able to create some truly vibrant fall images.

Thank you, Sarah and Justin, for trusting my advice and choosing this incredible location for your engagement session.

Check Corrine and Phil’s engagement at Balls Falls. View our post How did this Inglis Falls engagement photographer make his couple feel on top of the world? for some inspiration for your engagement photos.