Arrived home this morning from San Francisco, one of my favourite cities in the world. I feel so much – so many things - but don’t know how to say them all at once, or properly. I “met” Maya and Ben on Skype, after we had been e-introduced by their awesome wedding planner Jodi Gagné. Living in California, Skype meetings are routine for these two. We had instant chemistry. There was a lot of laughter, which I now realize is a huge part of this couple’s life (being that they’re both hilarious and Maya is a constant joker). Somehow we group-fantasized that I’d go to the Bay Area and shoot their engagement session,,, and then somehow we made it happen.

I’ve just arrived home.

Talk about adventure: Ben and Maya invited me – effectively a stranger from another country – into their home, and I accepted. We spent the weekend hanging out, eating delicious food, exploring San Francisco and Palo Alto, shooting pictures, telling stories, and laughing our heads off… it was beyond great.

What’s more, I found myself personally inspired by Maya and Ben. Not only as individuals, professionals, and inherently artistic beings, but also as a couple. Now, hold on before you go getting all judgey about how cheesy I am – hear me out.

Ben and Maya see, hear, and encourage one another with remarkable enthusiasm, care and interest. One’s happiness excites the other as if they’ve just met (and they haven’t). And the best part, is that the world is theirs; they have no self-consciousness about feeling this way and expressing it openly. I’m not talking about PDAs (though I have no problem with public displays of affection) – I mean that this love is just 100% out there, no apologies.

We all develop barriers in life, to protect our hearts and our egos from getting hurt. Maya and Ben are brave and confident and passionate in many aspects of their lives, and it is this that I find so incredible.

Thank you Maya and Ben for opening your home and your life to me. I can't wait to share your engagement photos in San Francisco, and I’m so excited to see you in Toronto for the wedding!

Congratulations, and Cheers, and Cheers again! Love, Kate

Want more Maya & Ben? San Francisco Engagement Photos (Day One) and Palo Alto Engagement Photos (Day Two) ~ xo

This is the way to do it! Leisurely brunch engagement photos, champagne, and a walk to stretch the legs... We begin at L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar. Allia & Alison are too awesome to describe. Funny, artistic and completely in love, rooms light up when these two women enter... (See what I did? I tried to describe them anyway.) They suggested we meet at L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar, a stylish yet laid back joint near Bathurst and Dundas. Brunch arrived with an entire french press pot of coffee. Talking, and laughing, it was easy to see why these two are such a sublime match. Champagne followed a delicious breakfast (I told you this is the way to do it!), and then we headed out into the city.

Alison graduated from University of Toronto, so it only made sense to explore the beautiful Victoria College campus. In fall coats, the ladies kept each other warm, laughing, running, even flying. Playing among the gothic stone and ivy-covered walls, we were filled with energy - adventure - even magic.

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Sarah and Jason took me on a tour of their old neighbourhood for their engagement photos. Davisville and Oriole Park on a sunny autumn afternoon. Best friends before they became a couple, the two went for sushi every week for three years, just for an excuse to spend time together. Then Jason would walk Sarah to the bus stop and wait with her, or Sarah would walk Jason to his nearby apartment where they would, no doubt, linger a little longer near the 1970s water fountain out front… Just a couple more minutes in each other's company.

This was a super meaningful session for Jason and Sarah - to take some time in the midst of wedding preparations, to remind each other about how it all began, and why they were doing this in the first place. Naturally shy in front of the camera, I used all my tricks to get them engaging together, and soon they were laughing, dancing, and being 150% themselves (including several fantastical discussions about kid-napping cute puppies from the park).

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When I look at these images I feel like it was truly a photojournalistic experience. The personal nature of their locations and stories allowed real moments to happen that I was witness to (and now you are too). The three of us connected to create something authentic, and to me that is what's so inspiring about true love.

Sarah and Jason I feel privileged to have made these photojournalistic engagement photos with you, and I am simply thrilled for your upcoming wedding!

Kate and Ben had the first half of their engagement shoot last spring, at their sweet apartment, when the weather was still cold... For the second half we took advantage of the fantastic weather to wander out and about. We explored Toronto's colourful Christie Pits neighbourhood of Bickford Park and Korea Town. Apart from my highly technical instructions of "Jump like you're in the 70s!" most of the photo shoot consisted of this gorgeous pair hanging out, shooting the breeze, snuggling and laughing, and me capturing it all.

Can't wait for next week when we photograph their wedding!

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Click here to see photos from Kate & Ben's amazing autumn wedding!Click here to check out their first engagement shoot, when they played me a private music show in their own home :)

And check out Ben & Kate's short-story video testimonial here!

Andrea and Chris wanted to do something fun for their engagement photos, and decided on involving their passion for biking. Creating the images of Andrea and Chris checking out and chasing each other, with Chris' extra-fancy bicycle, had us all laughing our heads off. This outdoorsy couple brought me around the downtown Oakville waterfront, where we walked among beautiful gardens, explored gorgeous, little streets close to Lake Ontario, and basked in the setting sun on the harbour.

Chris and Andrea I am SO excited for your wedding day - it has been wonderful getting to know such great folks and the best is yet to come!!!