This photo IS exactly what it loos like – A PROPOSAL! Meet Chris and Jess. Chris is the son of a good friend of mine, and this weekend my friend and I were participating in a local garden tour – she had her garden open, and I was exhibiting some photographs in it. During the day, Chris wanders in with the engagement ring. He announced that he was going to propose either that night or the following evening.
Naturally, I scooped the ring up and got some nice close-ups (which I really need to post later!) and started hinting that the trendy thing to do now is to have your proposal photographed. (Hint Hint.) I didn’t think my message was sinking in, but he later came back and asked if Andy and I would be willing to do to it. Well DUH, of course!
We were told the approximate time and location, and got there early to stake it out. We assumed we’d be shooting from a distance to remain discreet, and had our long lenses out. We waited. And waited. But we didn’t see Chris or Jess. Finally I see someone near the water, a bit farther away than were we had discussed. And he’s waving at us crazily. My heart dropped and my first thought was “oh crap, we missed it”. I was SO bummed out. We run over there and Chris comes up to us, just out of earshot of Jess and says “ok, I told her I surprised her with a portrait session for our anniversary, but I’m going to do it as soon as you start taking pictures”. Oh yeah, NO pressure there! We start scrambling, now our telephoto lenses are way too long since we are 3ft away. We play it up and start taking “test” shots and Chris immediately goes down on one knee.
Now let me just pause here and say that this really is a remarkable couple, and I’m not just saying that because it’s my friend’s kid. I don’t know all the details exactly, but Jess has fought off brain cancer twice. She’s had numerous surgeries and had to deal with stuff that no person in her 20′s should ever have to think about. Throughout all this, Chris has been by her side for 7 years. They have an amazing connection.
We were very excited to get the opportunity to capture a proposal – I mean how often does THAT happen?!? After playing paparazzi for a few minutes, we excused ourselves and went back to Chris’ mom’s house – where a totally unrelated party was going on. We threw together a quick slideshow and by the time the newly engaged couple arrived we had it ready to go and playing outside so everybody could see the whole thing.
Congrats to both of you! We feel so lucky to have been able to document this and we can’t wait to shoot the wedding!
by Lynn
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