A Session That Felt Like Hanging Out With Friends (But Make It Film)

There’s something about shooting entirely on film that brings me back to the root of why I do this work. The imperfections, the unpredictability, the way it forces you to slow down and see. Not just look – see. Nichola & Jed made that kind of seeing easy. Effortless, even.

Their Little Italy Toronto engagement session started with a cocktail at Mrs. Robinson – a vibey little bar on College Street that feels like a portal to another time. Warm light, disco vinyl, and that hazy, romantic kind of energy that film just loves. They cozied up in a corner booth, drinks in hand, already laughing before I even picked up my camera. PS. Thank you to Mrs. Robinson for hosting us!

The cozy cocktails set the tone for the rest of the evening: intimate, unfiltered, and full of genuine connection.

Why Film for Engagement Photography?

I honestly can’t say enough about these two. From the second we met, Nichola & Jed made me feel like I was just along for a walk through their life – not a photoshoot. There’s a real kind of magic that happens when couples let you into their world with that level of openness.

We wandered around Little Italy, weaving through their favorite spots like we were retracing a love story that already felt iconic. Strolling past the local shops, laughing about something (or nothing), chasing light like it was a game.

They didn’t need direction. They just needed each other.

And let me tell you – film LOVED them. Every frame felt alive. Grainy in the best way. Golden where it needed to be. Honest everywhere else.

I shoot both digital and film for most of my sessions, but when I get the chance to go all in on film? It hits different. There’s no instant playback. No temptation to over-edit. Just trust – in the process, in the couple, in the way light lands on skin and how emotion shows up when no one’s overthinking it. With Nichola & Jed, it was the perfect match. The softness of film mirrored the softness of their energy. The slightly unpredictable nature of it mirrored the slightly chaotic beauty of city love. It’s like film knows how to honour the in-between moments. The squeeze of a hand. The tilt of a head mid-laugh. The quiet glance when the world gets blurry and only your person comes into focus.

Pizza, Obviously (We’re in Toronto)

No Little Italy Toronto engagement session is complete without carbs. It’s basically a rule.

We ended up at Pizzeria Badiali – one of their favorite neighborhood spots, where they grabbed a slice, leaned into each other on the bench outside, and kept being adorable without even trying.

This wasn’t just a pitstop – it was part of their story. The kind of casual ritual that might not make the wedding timeline, but totally deserves to be remembered. Because in the end, this is what engagement is: the in-between. The before. The everyday magic. And I’ll take greasy fingers and napkin wipes over stiff posing any day.

Just Walking and Being – That Was the Point

We didn’t overplan this session.

In fact, I think the reason it worked so well is because we didn’t overplan it. Nichola and Jed trusted me to guide the vibe without scripting the experience. We had loose locations and just let the night unfold. We walked slowly. We lingered where the light felt good. We stopped when we felt like it.

They kissed like nobody was watching (except me, lol – always watching, such a creeper). They snuggled a little on the sidewalk. They made dumb jokes. They were fully themselves. No curated Pinterest moments. No “okay now hold hands and spin in a circle while looking wistfully into the distance.”

Just love. Just them.

I Loved This Session So Much

I’ve photographed a lot of amazing people in beautiful places – but it’s the energy that makes a session memorable for me. And Nichola & Jed brought the best kind of energy: open, curious, trusting, and completely present. That’s the dream right there! They didn’t perform. They connected. And it let me do what I do best – witness. It reminded me why I gravitate toward film engagement sessions in the first place. Film doesn’t care about perfection. It cares about presence. And if you’re lucky (and I definitely was), you get to photograph people who show up with hearts wide open.

For Anyone Planning a Little Italy Toronto Engagement Session…

A few quick thoughts if you’re reading this and thinking, “Wait, can we just wander and eat pizza and make out in a booth instead of planning a formal engagement shoot?”

YES. Yes, you can.

If the idea of stiff poses makes you want to crawl out of your own skin, if you care more about the feeling of your relationship than checking a box on your wedding to-do list – you’re my people.

Whether it’s Little Italy, your go-to coffee shop, a gritty alleyway you kissed in that one time, or your own kitchen – the “where” matters less than how it feels. And I’ll help you find the kind of locations that reflect your vibe and energy. And if you’re into the idea of film engagement photography, even better. Let’s get nostalgic. Let’s make it timeless. Let’s make it you.

Final Thoughts (And a Love Letter to Film)

Nichola & Jed’s session wasn’t flashy or staged or trying to be anything other than what it was: a slow, sweet evening in the city. A celebration of the in-between. A permission slip to just be. I walked away with a pocket full of exposed film, a greasy pizza smile, and that deeply satisfying feeling that comes from making something true.

So if you’re in the thick of wedding planning and craving something that feels more like you and less like wedding-industrial-complex content… let’s talk.

We can walk. We can wander. We can shoot all film or mix it up. You don’t have to perform for me. You just have to show up.

And I’ll show you what love looks like when no one’s watching.

Looking for a candid, film-forward photographer for your Little Italy Toronto engagement session? I specialize in film engagement photography that feels like home. Whether you’re planning a big wedding or just want to capture the quiet, magic moments of your relationship – let’s connect. You bring the love, I’ll bring the camera (and probably some snacks).

📍 Based in Toronto | Available for travel
📸 Documentary-style | Film + digital | Emotion-first

👉 Let’s create something true →