Ready to take your engagement photos, but having a hard time deciding what your background should be? Toronto offers such a variety of unique options for your upcoming engagement session! We have beaches, cityscape, skylines and greenery, on top of all that we get the best of all four seasons! Your engagement photos will be well-loved, printed, framed and even make it an appearance on your wedding day so you’ve got to love the location that you choose. Here is my go-to list of favourite locations in Toronto and a few bonuses nearby. Perhaps it’s been a place you’ve been to or take it as a new place to explore.

1. R.C HARRIS WATER TREATMENT PLANT

Truly a hidden gem in the city! Not many people are aware of this option and are always captivated upon searching it up. The building features art-deco architecture surrounded by rolling green hills with a Lake Ontario waterfront. You are going to take benefit of all this location has to offer! I mean just look at this photo! Jaw drop.

Photo Permit: No

 

 

2. HUMBER BAY PARK WEST

A location perfect in any season. B&B took one of the last warm summer evenings last year for their engagement session. We walked around the park starting off at the well known white Humber Bay Arch Bridge and making our way through the pebble beach and deeper forested area. The park is a quaint space among an urban landscape. The most fun part is climbing your way over the big boulder stones and out to the lakefront. If you can’t decide where to take your engagement photos, you got water and you got trails here. Definitely a worthy option.

Photo Permit: No

 

 

3. HIGH PARK

With acres and acres to explore, High Park is the largest park in Toronto. You’ll find your fair share of greenery and nature here. Everyone flocks here in the springtime to see the Cherry Blossoms but they don’t last for long so be sure to plan ahead and arrive early in the morning to avoid any big crowds.

Photo Permit: No

 

 

4. OSSIngTON STRIP

Not one of the first options people think of but it’s definitely one that’s much overlooked. It’s filled with personality and buzz. A casual photoshoot bar or café hopping is fun for you and your fiancé(e) and your photographer! All the restaurants, shops and graffiti walls give the Ossington Strip all its’ character. Our couple K&L had their first date at a local bar and decided to take their engagement photos here. They made sure to revisit a cherished place from their relationship. Loved that it meant something special to them!

Photo Permit: No

 

 

5. UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Right in the centre of Toronto, you can find the well known grounds of University of Toronto. Your photographer will gladly take you around and show you all the nooks with the perfect backdrops. The campuses’ beautiful architectural buildings are full of history. Tall arches and columns mixed in with greenery and ivy walls are some things you can expect. It’s quite a big space so to start you out, a few of my favourites inside University of Toronto is Hart House, Trinity College, Knox College.

Photo Permit: Yes, make sure you look into which permits are needed for each location within the campus as they could differ.

 

 

6. CHERRY BEACH & POLSON PIER

Take a stroll along Cherry Beach, a smaller beach option in Toronto. It’s popular in the summer but if you are going during spring or autumn it’s much more secluded (and not in a bad way). Sunrise is ideal for this location and the best part is that you can quickly pop over to Polson Pier for some extra photos. It’s only about 1-2 mins of a drive apart from each other. Polson Pier offers the city skyline giving your engagement photos a little bit of variety. You can even quickly do a wardrobe change!

Photo Permit: No

 

 

7. OSGOODE HALL

Built in the 1800’s and located on Queen Street West, it’s hidden behind it’s well known iron gates. For photography, it’s private and one of the few places that offer cobblestone streets in the city. The Victorian architecture shines and makes for the perfect European-esque backdrop. The heritage building is surrounded by a well-groomed garden and the best part is you don’t need a permit for this location!

Photo Permit: No

 

 

8. TORONTO ISLANDs

This whole trip will be full of fun from start to finish Centre Island has a one of a kind view of the city skyline. Aim for a summer sunset and you won’t be disappointed! It’s a popular destination for tourists but the island and sister islands are so big that people in the background won’t be a concern. Even as a local Torontonian, I try to take the ferry out to the island every summer.

Photo Permit: Yes, For Formal Photography

 

 

9. GUILD INN

One of Toronto’s most photogenic locations that doubles as a wedding venue. Guild Inn Park offers scenic gardens and its’ captivating sculpture. If you like history, this park has a long and interesting string of stories you’d love reading about.

Photo Permit: Yes

 

 

10. SCARBOROUGH BLUFFS

There is a reason why this location is on all the lists and I totally get it! There’s something dreamy about sand in your toes and being by the water. This beach is perfect for a casual and romantic stroll. You’ll be guaranteed timeless photos in this super sweet spot. Best times to come would be early morning sunrises to avoid crowds and extreme sun and heat in the summer. Even better, bring your pup along just like these guys did! How adorable is this family portrait?

Photo Permit: No

 

 

11. EVERGREEN BRICKWORKS

Evergreen Brickworks is perfect for couples looking for an outdoor nature filled location. Autumn is a popular season once the leaves start showing colours and the park has multiple trails to explore. The main building offers rustic brick walls and if you love the space, you can also book it as your wedding venue! Cozy knit sweater and boots is the perfect vibe in the fall!

Photo Permit: Yes

 

 

12. NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

Okay, like I promised a few locations not in Toronto, but nearby. Niagara on the Lake is a super good idea for a weekend trip. The quaint little town is full of charm and sits on the shore of Lake Ontario. Think wine tasting at different wineries and fine dining at some amazing restaurants. Sounds like the perfect little getaway to me! Our couple N&J made a trip of it on a special weekend and have their special engagement photos to remember it by.

Photo Permit: No

 

 

13. HARDING WATERFRONT ESTATE

Located in Mississauga, this location is also a wedding venue in itself. Constructed in 1937, the Bell-Gairdner House, the main building, holds most of its’ vintage characteristics. The symmetry of the mansion is a photographers dream! Harding Waterfront Estate is a super charming location for your engagement photos!

Photo Permit: Yes

 

 

14. SCOTSDALE FARM

This property is found in Georgetown, Ontario (Google it!) and is massive! You can no doubt run around here for hours and hours scoping cute little corners to take your engagement photos in. You’ll find heritage barns and buildings, rolling hay fields, forests and a pathway with perfectly aligned trees. When autumn rolls around, this location gets extremely busy as you can imagine, but nothing arriving early and being prepared can’t solve.

Photo Permit: No

 

 

15. dundurn castle

A castle in our very on Hamilton, Ontario. No explanation is necessary. It’s a magical spot, trust me!

Photo Permit: Yes