Recently engaged? Congratulations! Somewhere in between the proposal, the wedding planning and the actual wedding day, you’ll want to carve out some precious time to have your engagement photos taken — whether you end up using the photos for wedding announcement purposes, wedding day material, or just end up keeping the photos as a wonderful keepsake of you and your future spouse before your big day, engagement sessions are such a sweet way to commemorate the occasion and celebrate before you actually say “I Do”!
With so many gorgeous spots in and around Toronto, there’s certainly no shortage of options — but coming up with, then narrowing, the list can be a daunting task. To help you round up some ideas and choose that perfect spot, we reached out to 11 Toronto photographers to find out their favourite engagement photoshoot locations in the GTA.
The Guild
“The Guild is one of my favourite spots in the GTA to shoot engagement sessions because it’s a little secluded, so you don’t have a lot of people walking around in the background of your images. It also offers a mixture of trees, gardens and stone ruins all in one area which you can’t find anywhere else in the GTA. Definitely one of the best spots for engagement photos and it’s one of our favourite hidden gems!”
– Brandon, Brandon Scott Photography
Forks of the Credit
“For the couples who are really after an engagement session that is full of versatility, nature, adventure and exploration, but want to stay within the GTA, Forks of The Credit in Caledon is our number one choice. With rolling hills and valleys, forest, walking trails, rivers and gorgeous fields at sunset, Forks Of The Credit is the perfect place for engagement photos any time of the year. We have done engagement sessions in all seasons here and love it every single time.”
– Ally Payetta, Ally & Nicholas Photography
Woodbine Beach
“Out of all the places in Toronto for a photoshoot, my favourite location is Woodbine Beach. It’s romantic and very quiet. The sunset there is unreal and you can see the CN tower as well! It’s a small piece of paradise in the heart of Toronto and it’s a must see!”
– Anita, Rhythm Photography
Bluffers Park
“I love to shoot this location as part of an engagement shoot because there is so much variety. I love the natural landscape of the bluffs and the shores of Lake Ontario… and as a bonus, the light is magic coming from behind the bluffs in the evening.”
– Krista, Krista Fox Photography
Queen West’s “Graffiti Alley”
“To say that Queen West has character would be an understatement. It is ever changing and always awesome. We love shooting in this part of the city because each and every time we go there it’s different in some way. So, we are always seeing it as if for the first time. The nooks and crannies of the alleyways are usually empty of people and always seem to house fun surprises like this burst of colour. ”
– Jessica, A Brit & A Blonde
Toronto Music Gardens
“The balance of architecture and greenery makes this location ideal for engagement sessions! The black arch over the venue provides an interesting backdrop, and the stunning foliage and flowers makes for a very pretty setting. There are also several other engagement session-friendly locations within about 15 minutes of The Toronto Music Gardens, making this a great spot if you’d like to hit a few different locations during your engagement session. Overall, this is a fantastic location!”
– Niki, HRM Photography
Belfountain Conservation Area
“How gorgeous is this bridge? For all adventurous-yet-romantic couples – this place is a gem! You feel like you are on the top pf the world with your loved one, surrounded by a forest that looks like you are in a fairy tale. Definitely something to consider. Ally and Michael were sold on this idea and we had tons of fun during their shoot! This area has so much to offer!”
– Svetlana, Purple Tree Wedding Photography
Evergreen Brick Works
“If you are looking for a beautiful nature setting for your engagement photos, Evergreen Brickworks in the east end Toronto offers vast variety of different backdrops! It’s the best place to just walk around and explore – you never know what will you find. We even discovered an out of commission train track, how cool is that? The bonus is that you will never have to worry about having other people in your photos as the park is quite large and never too busy.”
– Rudo, Toronto Wedding Studios
Cluny
“I love shooting at Cluny Bistro in the Distillery! The Distillery is such a beautiful spot in the city for an engagement session, and the hidden gem of Cluny has such an awesome backdrop! Being a total architecture and design geek, I love how the design [designed by Munge Leung] of Cluny pays homage to the look and design aesthetic of The Distillery, but kind of breaks free of the mold of some of the other establishments. Inspired by the aesthetic of Parisian bistros, it has some beautiful unfinished pine woodwork, interesting mismatched upholstery, and just a beautiful layering of textures and colour. It’s such a beautiful beautiful backdrop! Another plus side, delish food, and such great crusty crackling bread.”
– Margaret, Avenue Photo
Humber Bay Park
“Humber Bay Park has been a favourite of ours for many years. With beautiful views of the skyline and plenty of green space, this location along Toronto’s waterfront is a fantastic spot and offers plenty of variety. It’s easily accessible and only about 20 minutes from downtown if you’re traveling by car. It can be a little busy on weekends, but, we’ve never had any issues finding a secluded area amongst the tall grass and rocky shoreline on weekday mornings or evenings.”
– Eric, 515 Photo Co.
Toronto Neighbourhoods
“One of our favourite places to shoot engagements are the wonderful Toronto neighbourhoods where our couples live. There are so many hidden alleys, interesting corners, and gorgeous buildings. This particular shoot was done in the Annex, specifically around Harbord and Bathurst. We encourage couples to shoot their engagement sessions in a place that means something to them… and what better place than the neighbourhood where their love story began?”
– Andreea, The Love Studio
