I love it when couples bring along two different outfits to their engagement session: one more casual and relaxed; and the other more formal and dressed up. It allows us to essentially get two different batches of photos in one session. So when Carla + Jean-Francois asked if they could switch outfits partway through their session, I was all for it!
There are so many great tips for engagement sessions that we send over to our couples before their shoot, including the option of bringing along a second outfit. That being said, the biggest factor to having a great session is definitely comfort. Being comfortable with what you are wearing, but more importantly, being comfortable with each other. And that was definitely not a problem for these two. They were so at ease with one another during the entire session that it made my job pretty effortless. The way they fell into each pose I threw their way with such ease also made my job pretty great that night – which is always awesome!
We spent that Friday evening strolling through Major’s Hill Park and the nearby areas, which are some of my favourite places in downtown Ottawa. The park has a great natural feel to it with hints to the urban environment that surrounds it. The combination of these two makes for some varied shots and it doesn’t hurt that it is situated among some amazing architecturally interesting buildings like Parliament Hill, Chateau Laurier and the National Art Gallery.
We wrapped up their session with a quick shot on the canal locks, a staple of downtown engagement sessions and weddings, followed by an even quicker shot under the nearby bridge. The canal wasn’t as empty as I have seen it in the past, but we were pretty fortunate in that it wasn’t completely covered in tourists and pedestrians.
It was a fantastic session with two fantastic people. I am really looking forward to their wedding day next year as I just know it is going to be wonderful!
