Chelsey and Tyler’s Elora Mill engagement photos were taken on a lovely sunny August day, and I had the pleasure of capturing them. Although I already shared their Timber Barn wedding on the blog a couple of months ago, I wanted to wrap up my experience with this fantastic couple by posting some photos from their Elora Mill engagement. For this session, I also had the joy of including their fur baby, Mack, who joined us for the entire time during their Elora Mill engagement photos.

Summer Vibe for These Elora Mill Engagement Photos

As I mentioned in their Timber Barn wedding blog post, Chelsey and Tyler wanted to keep everything local, so they chose Elora as the first stop on their photography journey with me. We met at the bridge overlooking Elora Mill, reconnecting after our initial meeting a couple of months earlier. Their dog, Mack, joined us as they wanted him to be part of their Elora Mill engagement photos.

Mack is a shy rescue, calm and absolutely perfect for photos. When I work with dogs during sessions, I usually take time to read their behaviour to decide the best order for photos with the couple. Sometimes, that means spending an extra 10–15 minutes chatting with my clients until the dog feels comfortable enough to accept me as part of the group. Once that happens, we ease into the photos together. In Mack’s case, he was so relaxed and easygoing that it didn’t affect the flow at all—we could begin their Elora Mill engagement photos right away.

Chelsey and Tyler, on the other hand, felt a little nervous since they had never done professional photos before. Mack ended up being the perfect icebreaker, helping his humans settle in and relax.

Because we scheduled their session during dinner time, the streets of Elora were quiet, which worked perfectly for their city-inspired photos as we took advantage of the soft golden-hour light. Starting in the busier spots around Elora Mill, I was able to capture the town’s signature charm while Chelsey and Tyler grew more comfortable in front of the camera.

The Benefits of a Golden Hour Photo Session

As the sun slowly set on the horizon, I was able to work in all of my favourite spots without wasting time searching for areas with the right light. After finishing most of the photos around the busier part of Elora Mill, I started to incorporate more of the charm that Elora has to offer.

We moved to the other side, near the old outdoor chapel, where we captured some beautiful shots overlooking the Elora Mill and Spa Hotel. By this time, Chelsey and Tyler had fully relaxed, and with Mack having accepted me into the group, we were able to create some intimate photos in the forest as we made our way toward the Elora Gorge.

The sun’s rays filtered through the trees, casting a stunning backlight that illuminated the couple perfectly. The colours in these photos were incredible, but I also had in mind to use a few for black-and-white versions of my images. I was struck by how long the golden hour lasted that day—but rather than running out of ideas, I used the extra time to plan my next steps.

Elora Mill Engagement Photos by The River

As we walked along the river, the day’s humidity grew heavier, though a gentle breeze offered some relief. Usually, I reserve the massive boulder in the middle of the river just for my couple, but in Chelsey and Tyler’s case, we had one more important member—Mack, their dog.

Getting him across to the boulder wasn’t easy, but Tyler managed to carry him over, and I was thrilled to capture some of my favourite images from their Elora Mill engagement photos. Chelsey and Tyler sat together on the boulder while Mack, lying comfortably between them, looked so relaxed that you’d never guess how much effort it took to get him there.

Afterward, I spent a little extra time photographing just Chelsey and Tyler while Mack rested on the riverbank. Since our last photo spot was the storefronts of this charming city, giving him a break was the perfect way to prepare for the final stretch.

The Storefront Magic of This Amazing City

As the sun dipped behind the horizon, it cast a warm glow that was perfect for capturing our stroll past the city storefronts and their charming details. I have my own route through these spots, but I sometimes skip a few or add new ones depending on the atmosphere and the mood of my couple.

As we walked toward the parking lot, I could see Chelsey and Tyler beginning to truly enjoy themselves. At that point, it didn’t feel like a photo session anymore—it felt like a genuine evening walk with their four-legged friend, while I quietly captured the moments. I didn’t want to interrupt the flow by posing them, so instead I guided them naturally, using candid moments to showcase their joy during these summer Elora Mill engagement photos.

When we crossed the city’s second bridge, I noticed a small set of wooden steps leading to the back of the storefronts on the other side. That’s where I took my final photos, with the sun setting beautifully in front of them. I asked Chelsey and Tyler to sit on the steps with Mack between them, sandwiching him with hugs while I focused closely on their emotions and expressions.

With the last rays of sunlight illuminating their faces, I captured one of my all-time favourite photographs—a heartfelt moment of a dog nestled between his loving human parents.

Why Elora Mill is Perfect for Engagement Photos with a Dog?

It was such a joy to capture this part of my couple’s lifetime memories, with Mack playing such an important role in their relationship. As we said goodbye, I felt relieved knowing I had built a connection with Mack where he trusted me, allowing his parents to relax and simply enjoy their photos while I took care of the rest.

That bond with Mack proved invaluable later in the year when it was time for their wedding photos. This time, he was all dressed up in a tuxedo and tie while his humans looked stunning in their wedding attire.

Being able to create unforgettable memories through their Elora Mill engagement photos was truly rewarding. Thank you, Chelsey and Tyler, for your trust and for the wonderful time we spent together.

Credits and additional information for couples that like to see more Elora Mill engagements and weddings.

Check here another Elora Mill engagement session of Quinn and Jack. Here you can see Mary Ann and Russell’s Elora Mill wedding in summer. View Rochelle and Trevor winter wedding at Elora Mill and Spa.