Whack! Smack! Snap! – Surviving the Toronto Pillow Fight for the Perfect Shot

 "Bear with me, I'm about to get clocked."

"Diplomatic relations have failed. It’s every pillow for themselves."

 "Some came to slay. Others came in a tutu and neon gloves to absolutely slay."

There’s something wildly joyful about watching grown adults (and kids-at-heart) dress up in onesies, grab fluffy weapons, and bash each other with pillows in front of City Hall.

This weekend, I found myself right in the middle of Toronto’s annual International Pillow Fight Day celebration at Nathan Phillips Square. And I didn’t just go to watch—I dove in, camera in hand, fully prepared to get pummelled in the name of street photography.

Let me tell you, getting hit in the head with a pillow while trying to frame a shot is a special kind of challenge. You never really know which direction the next swing is coming from, and autofocus becomes a game of luck. But it’s also an incredible way to catch unfiltered joy, spontaneous movement, and the sort of playfulness that rarely spills into public spaces like this.

The crowd? A glorious mix. There were people in bear onesies, neon tutus, and even someone with a Mohawk peeking out of a panda hood. I spotted groups of friends, strangers turned teammates, and passersby who couldn’t resist jumping in. One woman in a fuzzy purple and yellow jacket grinned ear-to-ear, pillow in hand, while another dressed like a cartoon bear cocked her arm back like a pro. I caught the moment mid-swing—and yes, I took that hit right after the shutter clicked.

Some of the best energy came from the older folks and parents who clearly hadn’t swung a pillow in decades—but once they got going, they didn’t hold back. Kids darted between legs, shouting war cries muffled by down feathers, and I laughed through most of it, ducking, weaving, and snapping like a photojournalist in a very soft war zone.

Was it worth the sore neck? Absolutely. Would I do it again next year? Only if I bring a helmet—or maybe just a bigger pillow.