“I was definitely a little bit nervous… I’d never done a professional shoot before and didn’t know what to expect. But literally from the moment we met Greg, all of that went out the window.”

-Roxanne

From Referral to Rooftop: How This Shoot Came to Life

Jack reached out to me in early spring to book an engagement photo session in Victoria, BC. He’d been referred by my good friend, colleague, and fellow adrenaline junkie, Nicky Nonis. Jack and Roxanne had eloped in Cleveland in 2023, and now they were planning a celebration in Canada so their American and Canadian friends could finally come together in one place. Before the big day, they wanted to capture their engagement story — and that’s where I came in.

As I do with all new clients, I suggested we jump on an exploratory call. It’s a chance to make sure we’re a good personality fit, get clear on their vision, and kick-start the creative process. Within minutes of that first group chat, I knew this shoot was going to be something special.

After over fifteen years of shooting proposals and engagements I’ve found there are basically two types of clients: those who show up with a blank slate, and those who arrive with ideas, mood boards, and excitement to collaborate. Jack and Roxanne were 100% the latter. And honestly, that’s where I thrive. There’s nothing more rewarding than fusing my creative instincts with a couple’s personal vision—elevating their ideas, remixing them, and together crafting something better than any one of us could’ve come up with on our own.

A Story in Locations: Ferris Grill, Gorge Park & Macaulay Point

Roxanne, a graphic designer, brought that rare kind of creative clarity and curiosity that makes every shoot richer. She had stories tied to each location, visual references, and a clear sense of how she wanted the shoot to feel—not just look. Jack, meanwhile, brought pure enthusiasm and horsepower. More on that in a second.

One of my favourite things about documenting engagement sessions is grounding the visuals in places that matter. I’m not into random park photos with zero emotional resonance. I want couples to look back at their photos and remember a story. Jack and Roxanne gave me so much to work with:

• Ferris’ Grill, a cozy local tapas bar where they had their first meal together in Victoria. It quickly became their go-to date spot—a weekly ritual that grew into a tradition. Familiar table, familiar staff, familiar love.
• Gorge Park Pavilion, where they held their wedding celebration. Construction on the pavilion began right when they started seriously dating, and it finished just as they were preparing to get married. It felt only right to return to that spot for photos—a poetic full-circle moment.
• Macaulay Point, a windswept ocean lookout that became their reset button on good days and bad. The twist? Jack had never been there—despite living in Victoria his whole life—until Roxanne introduced him to it. A place, like many in this shoot, layered with shared discovery.

Heirlooms, Horsepower & the Details That Mattered

Even the small details held weight. The watch Jack wore once belonged to Roxanne’s father, who passed away. The ring was his grandfather’s. I noticed these heirlooms while photographing Jack behind the wheel, and I knew they deserved to be framed in the story.

Jack is a true car enthusiast, and he had a vision for how to include both of his cars in the session—a 2010 Dodge Challenger and a 2012 Dodge Viper. I loved this.In engagement photography, it’s often the bride-to-be who leads the charge while the groom reluctantly tags along. Not Jack. He was all-in—affectionate, expressive, brimming with energy and ideas. His enthusiasm matched Roxanne’s, and that balance made the whole shoot come alive.

Shooting the Sunset: Final Light at Macaulay Point

We began the engagement shoot at Ferris Grill, catching the warm late afternoon light. Then we made our way to a rooftop parkade downtown for golden-hour portraits with the Challenger against the Victoria skyline. After a quick car swap at their home, we rolled over to Gorge Park, capturing images near the water and pavilion. Finally, as the sun dipped low, we raced to Macaulay Point for one last wardrobe change and a few cinematic shots with the Viper—waves crashing, wind in their hair, dusk folding in around us.

These are the kinds of moments that don’t just look good in photos—they feel good. They’re immersive, honest, and grounded in meaning.

Why This Shoot Still Stands Out (One Year Later)

When I look back on this session, I think of laughter, ease, and collaboration. Jack and Roxanne were effortless to work with—deeply connected to each other and their vision. They brought great ideas, welcomed mine, and co-created something that was uniquely theirs.

As I write this nearly a year later, I’ve since reconnected with them for a maternity shoot (stay tuned for that one). Shoots like this remind me why I do what I do: not just to make pretty pictures, but to tell stories with weight, memory, and momentum.

If you’re searching for a Victoria engagement photographer who can bring your personal story to life—with locations that mean something, details that matter, and photos that go beyond the posed—this is the kind of session I’d love to create with you.

Thank you, Jack and Roxanne, for trusting me with yours.