There’s something very peaceful about downtown Toronto on a crisp October morning, so I knew this sunrise session with Shirley and Brandon was going to be special. Little did I know that it was going to be special for a whole other reason!

Before I jump into more details about the morning itself, it’s important to note that Shirley and Brandon have been together for years and had decided together that a proposal wasn’t necessary, but they would just get married on their own and forego a formal engagement period, and just hop right to it!

Near the end of our time at the beach, I asked Brandon and Shirley if there were any last shots they wanted to get by the water. Brandon suggested one more photo... Before I knew it, he was pulling a ring out of his pocket and getting down on one knee to formally propose to Shirley as the sun was rising and lighting up the downtown skyline behind them! It was so cute and totally unexpected from both Shirley and myself!

Once we wrapped at the beach and some happy tears were shed (by me included), we headed into the downtown core to warm up at Balzacs with a morning coffee and snap a few more photos of the newly engaged couple. It was so beautiful to capture the moments directly after their sunrise engagement – the love and excitement between them was truly indescribable. I'm so grateful I could be the one to capture this unforgettable moment for them! Now bring on the big summer celebration!