I was really excited to photograph Caleigh and Stephen’s engagement session in Muskoka just outside of a place called Torrance. I am pretty convinced Muskoka is a sneak preview of what Heaven will look like except the streets aren’t paved with gold in Muskoka (yet) ; ) I think it’s amazingly superb up there.

A few of Caleigh’s family members have cottages on this little nook in Muskoka. All cottages are boat access only so you park your car at a marina and then take a boat to your cottage - love it!

Caleigh and Stephen met when they were teenagers at Algonquin Park on a canoe trip. They both love the outdoors so it only seemed appropriate to do something super woodsy for their e-session including a few canoe photos. We got together on September 24 and the rain thankfully held off for us.

Loved the boat house (and Caleigh’s rubber boots).

I was out on another boat with Caleigh’s dad to capture these photos.

And this is Caleigh’s dad’s cottage - a red “Pee Wee’s Playhouse” floating (literally floating) cottage. It was a total jaw dropper.

Imagine having this as your front yard. *Drool*.

The pattern in the H20 here was incredible.

So Stephen is a really smart guy. Those rocks are from the Canadian Arctic and he designed the ring himself.  Impressive to say the least.

I will be posting more weddings soon but first…..Lauren and Cameron’s engagement session.

We met on July 16 at Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood. Lauren and Cameron both ski/snowboard so Blue Mountain seemed like an appropriate location as part of our session.

We didn’t venture up the ski hill because a nice person that worked at Blue came along on a four-wheeler and stopped to tell us that there was poison ivy up on the hill. Lauren and I definitely weren’t too into risking it so we just hung out in the grass at the bottom of the hill.

After we finished at Blue Mountain, we drove to the Collingwood Airport for some photos.  Cam is an Aircraft Engineer at Pearson which is how he met Lauren because she used to work there.  Since we were so close to an airport, it made sense to do some photos here for the significance factor.  I learned some interesting tidbits from Lauren and Cameron about these types of planes (I was looking at alot of them wondering how anyone had the guts to fly some of them - they were all totally cute, but seemed more like life-size Fisher Price toys than something that actually flew in the air!).

We finished our session at Sunset Point Beach.

I am looking forward to photographing Lauren and Cameron’s wedding day in Muskoka this coming fall!

I met with Crystal and Denis at Dundas Square in Toronto for their engagement session on June 15. It was a nice day - not hot and not cold.  City sessions are rare for me so it’s always fun to make the trek to downtown Toronto for a photo session.  Urban shoots are actually somewhat challenging for me because I’m so used to shooting in secluded areas with sand, water, rocks, lots of trees and no high-rise buildings.  I’m always up for a good challenge though.  There were a kazillion people at Dundas Square which always seems to be the case there - another challenge for a country girl photographer!

Crystal and Denis are tying the knot in the GTA later this summer.  For now, here are some photos from our engagement session together!

We came across this alley way just around the corner from Dundas Square with all these cool coloured walls - red, orange, yellow, green and purple. Loved it!

And of course it’s easy to find some good old fashion graffiti in Toronto.

Looks like someone’s been working out!

Loved this funky floor inside some building.

We ended the session in the parking garage.

I *finally* got to meet with Natalie and Mike in person a couple of weeks ago (June 11) for their engagement session. We had only corresponded by phone and email up until their e-session because they live in Orange County, California. It’s always nice to put faces with names and voices.

Natalie and Mike had me come up to the cottage on Kawagama Lake (near Dorset) in Muskoka for their session. I LOVE Muskoka! If I wanted to move anywhere in Ontario, somewhere in Muskoka would definitely be it. It’s like a whole different world up there - so peaceful and serene. Evidently, Tom Cruise has a cottage somewhere on Kawagama Lake - I didn’t see him so I guess he wasn’t up for the weekend ; )

Natalie is Canadian and Mike is from California.  They met in Whistler, B.C. and will be tying the knot this summer in Muskoka.  Looking forward to their wedding!  For now, here is an overview of our engagement photo session together.  Enjoy!

We started the session off in the woods. We weren’t here for very long because the bugs were quite drastic.

I didn’t realize this until I started editing their photos, but Natalie is a major Kirstie Alley look-a-like! (with a hint of Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas IMHO).

WHOA! Major Kirstie Alley here.

Bug spray. A necessity in Muskoka - especially in June.

Love this one.

The cottage.

Nat and Mike’s puppy dog.

Kawagama Lake.

This was actually Mike’s first time in a canoe. Notice how Natalie is doing all the work in the next few photos : )

One of my favourites (favorites if you are from the U.S.).

Natalie still paddling away. Mike still not paddling ; )  Hehehehe.

Another favourite/favorite from the session.

We hopped in the boat for a few photos too.

Those are N & M’s friends in the background.

It was a privilege for me to make the hike to Kawagama Lake for Natalie and Mike’s engagement session. Can’t wait to photograph their wedding day for more Muskoka fun!

I met with Jacquie and Eddie a couple of weeks ago (June 7) on a chilly and windy day in downtown Barrie for their engagement session. Despite the wind and cold, we still had a really great shoot!

I think by the end of the session Jacquie and Eddie were feeling like pros and will be all set of their wedding day in Muskoka next summer, August 2011!

We started off the session at Heritage Park.

Dragonboaters.

We went to a couple of alleyways part way through the session. Downtown Barrie is far from glamourous, but often the dingiest locations allow for the best photo opportunities. I loved this particular alleyway that was painted black!

My absolute favourite.

Back to heritage park. Not as windy now.

I always like to sneak in a few glam shots.