Ottawa is beautiful city with 4 distinct seasons — sure, the winters here can be long and cold, but with dynamic weather comes dynamic lighting, colours and plants.
This meaning there is no shortage of amazing places in Ottawa for your engagement shoot!
Having done engagement shoots for over a decade now, we’d like to share some of our secret locations we recommend when we’re doing our engagement shoots here in Ottawa:
#4. Rideau Canal and Major’s Hill Park Area:
Best season for photos: Spring, Summer, Fall
Recommended time of day: Sunset, night, golden hour.
Key Features: Water, modern architecture, classic architecture, nature, interesting architectural angles.
The canal area is a perfect blend of historical architecture and nature; the sharp lines, interesting angles, and a touches of nature create eye-catching images that will pop out of your wedding album.
In the spring you’ll be graced with tulips in the area, and in the fall you’ll get the colours of the hardwood tree foliage.
We don’t just stop at the canal — we bring our clients to 4 or 5 different locations in the area, all with amazing back drops.
#3. Gatineau Park:
Best season for photos: Spring, Fall
Recommended time of day: Golden hour, daytime.
Key Features: Water, nature, fall colours, hardwood forests, ruins.
An Ottawa classic. The Gatineau Park is arguably one of the best spots for fall rhapsody photoshoots. There are some drawbacks however — in recent years, the Gatineau park has become very busy.
That said — we regularity conduct engagement shoots here simply because the vibrance of the colours are unmatched!
#2. Dominion Arboretum:
Best season for photos: Spring, Summer, Fall
Recommended time of day: Sunset, night, golden hour.
Key Features: Water, nature, interesting tress and plants, lots of space, not very busy.
The arboretum has it all — beautiful metal foot bridges, waterfront paths, willow trees making it a perfect spot for newly engaged lovebirds!
We tend to take our clients to the arboretum for the Golden Hour where we can get daylight and sunset shots all-in-one!
#1. Your Special Place:
Despite the above, the absolute best place to have your engagement shoot is a place that means a lot to you as a couple.
It can be the family cottage where you spent summers together in college.
It can be the spot where you said “Yes!” to your fiancée.
It can be a family farm where you spent your time as a new couple.
The reason is simple: when we deliver your photos you will have combined to two eras of your life into one beautiful image.
Interested in our work? Check out our Photo Portfolio to see if our photos are right for your Ottawa area wedding and engagement.