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.

Emily and Mike decided on Southampton for the location of their engagement session. This was a-ok with me since Southampton is actually one of my favourite shooting locations in the Grey/Bruce region. It’s a super cute town with great waterfront.

E & M are a cute little couple that have been together for the past 6 years or so. Mike set eyes on Emily in the Sears office that she worked at and he actually asked her out 3 times before she said yes.  Once he overcame that hurdle, he cooked up a fantastic chicken stir-fry for their first date together and here they are a few years later engaged and tying the knot this coming September!

For our e-session together we met last Thursday evening (May 27th) in Southampton and we started off at the Amphitheatre which is a really cool place for photos (and to just visit as well).

Little Emily.

Mike.

Great views!

Wispy clouds are the best!

After we left the Amphitheatre, the next stop was the marina area.

Love this location!

After the marina, we headed to the main beach area.

Great sunset.

Looking forward to being a part of Emily and Mike’s wedding day in September!