My first photos of 2021! They’re just a little bit gloomy but I couldn’t resist capturing the pretty raindrops hanging on for dear life on some of those tree branches.
So, not only did I want to take photos at Brickworks during winter, I got to do that AND do it on Christmas after a snowstorm the night before! This may sound super cheesy, but it really felt like being inside a winter wonderland, or a snow globe after all the shaken snow settled. The snow clung to the trees in a way that doesn’t always happen and the atmosphere was silent. The only sounds in the air was distant chatter and the crunching of snow underneath your feet.
Since this year has been very different, we decided to do something different. Other families had the same idea but luckily, it wasn’t super crowded and people stuck to themselves or their group. I think it’s safe to say that absolutely everyone was in awe at the beauty of nature around them.
I hope that I’ll be able to visit again after another snowstorm. And let’s be frank, in Toronto another snowstorm is guaranteed. I only wish that I’ll be able to get there soon enough before all that fresh snow gets stepped on.
I haven’t been able to photograph a good sunset in a while. This was mostly due to missing them because of the sun setting way too early and not being able to get to my prime locations in time. Even here, I’m not so pleased that I realized the sky was erupting so late but I’m glad I was able to capture it regardless.
I may have missed the first significant snowfall in Toronto on November first, but exactly a month later, I was ready for the second! It may not have been much, and it has disappeared by now, but at least I was able to capture some stunning scenes in Toronto’s Withrow Park.
I can officially call these the last photos of autumn 2020! I shot these during golden hour and despite there being many bare branches, the trees were aglow with orange light. Fall is always a beautiful season, and if you ask me, it is the most beautiful, so I am a little sad to see it go. One thing I’m thankful for this year is that I had the time and opportunity to be able to go and take many, many photos of the foliage. I wasn’t so lucky last year. Looking into my Autumn 2019 folder was a little disappointing, seeing as I only had photos from one day and they weren’t what I’d call quintessential “autumn photography.” Compared to almost 200 photos from this year, I feel very blessed being able to look back and recall memories from those days and to have the visuals to go along with them. I feel proud of myself for being able to take photos that are some of my favourites ever and what I feel is some of my best work.
Feelings like these are what drive and motivate me to keep going and they give me something to look forward to. It’s been a very miserable year, and a tough few weeks for me personally. It may sound cheesy but sometimes it’s the little things that ground us and bring us some spark of joy.
I can’t wait to see what the second most beautiful season of the year, and by that I mean winter, has up its sleeve for us photographers.
In Toronto, Evergreen Brickworks is the place to be during fall. No matter where you go, you’re surrounded by vivid, autumn leaves. If you decide to venture up higher, there are many trails you can lose yourself in. If not, there are places to explore down below. Either way, this is definitely a place where you do not want to rush your way through. If you let yourself absorb the views surrounding you, you won’t regret it!
The Scarborough Bluffs are one of my favourite places to be. It’s sometimes hard to believe that a place like this exists in Toronto. It’s like a little pocket of paradise within a busy, bustling city.
I have never been to the bluffs during sunset so I was really excited to capture some photos during this time.
After visiting grandparents at the cemetery, I really enjoy walking around and taking photos whenever I can. My favourite lighting is either golden hour or overcast skies. In the later afternoons, it’s usually quiet and it’s very grounding being surrounded by nature.
The flowers belonged to a woman who passed away a few years ago. It was her birthday on that very day and friends or family left her flowers with well wishes. I don’t know this woman but it moved me knowing that years later, she has people that still drop by to give her a present. After snapping the photos, thanked her for letting me, wished her happy birthday, and continued on my walk.