Urban Engagement Session | Sarah + Andrew

I don’t think it’s a secret, a huge part of my creative process is driven by light. I look for light. I watch how the environment is affected by light. I walk around looking up, looking down and around and sometimes it halts conversation altogether and then I feel bad, but I assure you I AM part of the conversation! Sarah and Andrew’s urban engagement session in Kingston’s beautiful downtown was no different. ohhhhh, look at that light! I’m always looking for composition that will make the light fall on my couples in a cool way. In a different way. Keeping things equal parts flattering and artistic while maintaining context. If you could only see inside the tangled web that is my brain!

Urban engagement sessions offer a unique challenge when it comes to light. For one, I like to shoot at sunset. Well, the sun sets behind tall buildings long before it sets over the lake or a grassy field so you really need to be on it. But that’s ok, it’s such an adrenaline rush! WE GOTTA GO! LOOK AT THAT LIGHT! IT’S ABOUT TO GO BEHIND THAT BUILDING! yada yada yada. I love it when we get to the part of the session where my couple starts to see what I see and scurries quickly to the spot with me, not wanting to lose the light. I’ve been saying for years that my photos are OUR photos, a collaboration of sorts, because we work together for the results. The moment within the awesome light. I see the shot, but you need to be you for the photo to be anything at all. As you’ll see, Sarah and Andrew nailed their part of the collaboration!

Right, so that’s enough about light. Let’s talk about beer and good people. We decided to finish up our shoot at my favourite speakeasy, Stone City Ales. It was a pleasant spring evening and a beer on the patio sounded perfect. And, why not shoot a few photos while we’re at it? Well, we arrived and the place was jammed as if often is so we decided to abort. After a back/forth indecisive conversation between the three of us, Sarah and Andrew decided to just have a beer anyway and they invited me to third wheel. Fun! We sipped and chatted and chatted and sipped. Then, a spot opened up at the bar facing the street and like my eye to good light, I shoved them into the empty seats and began making a few photos of them enjoying the view of Princess Street, even though we were just supposed to be drinking. Things happen for a reason and well after the shoot was allegedly done, I walked away with a shot that might just be my personal favourite from our evening together.

So. I’m crazy for light. I’m crazy for craft beer. But, I’m craziest for people who allow my creative process to come to life and trust me enough to be photographed in front of a room full of people they don’t know as I awkwardly, yet confidently perch over someone else’s table to get the shot. People are awesome. I’ll shut up now.

Enjoy!