Christy & Eric’s Engagement | Focus Photography at Art Gallery

Throughout the day, I couldn’t help but think about how Christy and Eric were so perfect… and right for each other. Christy and Eric, they were such a spectacle! I was so jealous of their relationship in every way. When they hired me to be their photographer, the three of us agreed on a particular aesthetic. They didn’t want it to be too still, or like it was a professional production.

Instead, they wanted it to be simple, innocent, and comfortable. I was totally game with their idea. So, we booked a private session at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). I did all of my research. I found out all the kinds of paintings and exhibitions they had at that time. Before they even got there, I was already seeing a variety of pictures I wanted to do with Christy and Eric in my head.

When they arrived, I swore they looked like a stunning vision in white and black. As they walked in, I almost pictured how they looked on their wedding day.

When we started the shoot, I kind of felt like they weren’t used to having a camera follow them everywhere. I tried to instruct them the best I could, letting them think that I wasn’t there. After a few pictures here and there, slowly but surely, they got over the awkwardness. And then, their natural chemistry started to take over.

Looking at them, as they walked around the gallery, I practically heard wedding bells tolling away in my head. Soon after, posing was like second nature to them. It was like Christy and Eric were in their own little world.

There was a room in particular that I was really excited about. The room was dimly lit with red lighting, but at the center of the wall, there was a single strobe of yellow light beaming through it. And it just cut through bold, warm color… and everything about that room looked like a representation of Christy and Eric’s love.

It was a mix of passion, persistence, devotion, and understanding. I positioned the couple just in front of the yellow light. And when Eric dipped Christy as they kissed, I was in awe of them. With the way they posed, they almost looked like they were having their first dance. It ended up being my favorite picture from the shoot.

After spending almost half the day inside the gallery, we decided to do some outdoor pictures as well. Christy and Eric did a quick wardrobe change. They both looked classy and more comfortable, but they were wearing matching colors.

For the outdoor shoot, they wanted their pet dog to be a part of the pictures as well. And so for the rest of the afternoon, they kept running around and playing with their dog. Everything looked gorgeous. The sun was setting, the sky barely had any clouds, and the three of them looked like one happy, little family. 

By the time we finished the shoot, it was getting dark inside. I showed Christy and Eric the initial pictures, and they were extremely happy with how it turned out. I was confident that I was going to capture the kind of vibe they wanted, but really, I was more grateful for the fact that I was the one to physically evoke their love for each other in print.

Before I came in to document their engagement, it was already set in stone that they were partners for life. Christy and Eric deserve each other, and I hope that they will have a one-of-a-kind wedding and that they will have a long and happy marriage.