I got a message from Tyler some time ago asking if I would want to photograph a proposal. Of course I wanted to. First of all, being trusted to photograph a proposal? WOW! What an honor to be chosen for such a responsibility! Secondly, having only one chance to capture that moment? Um, Yes! I’m all over that. The one chance is what I live for when doing photography. In high school I started photographing motocross with a 35mm camera, so you only had one chance and this thrill excited me so much (and it still does!). Now came the hard part, because apparently Rachel had been wanting pictures of her and Tyler for some time, so Tyler thought this would be the perfect opportunity, not to propose but to segue into the proposal, because proposing during the photoshoot would be too obvious and expected. The location for the proposal was at Joe’s Pizza, where they had their first date, but to distract from such an event with all the family at Joe’s, the photoshoot would act as a “distraction” if you will. Of course this became really difficult when the snow started to fall the day of the shoot and we had a good inch or so of snow on the ground with more falling, it was absolutely perfect for pictures. No wind, the sound of snow hitting the ground, all alone on a trail surrounded by snow. The proposal may have not happened, but it was the perfect setting for some winter pictures!
After the session, I had to put on my acting shoes. I talked with Tyler and Rachel about how long it would take to edit the pictures and how they would be delivered, said our thank you’s and goodbyes and that was it… or was it? I made my way to Joe’s Pizza where some friends and family were setting up the spot for the proposal. Candles, signs with love messages on them, low lighting, it was the perfect setting for an intimate proposal where the relationship began. They had a private room at Joe’s and from how I understood it, Tyler made Rachel a video to watch to buy him some time so he could get upstairs, set up the video camera, hide the guests and wait for the big moment. The door at the bottom of the stairs opened and a Rachel made her way up the stairs reading each sign, at this point, she knew what was happening. Tyler then dropped to one knee and proposed to her as soon as she said yes and they hugged the guests (who were supposed to be outside) couldn’t wait any longer and came running in to congratulate them. The guests being friends and family of Tyler and Rachel. After a few minutes more friends and family made their way up to celebrate, hug, laugh, share congratulations, it was absolutely perfect. Like I said above, it was a HUGE honor to be trusted with such a responsibility, and I’m extremely thrilled with the pictures we were able to capture. Congratulations Tyler and Rachel!! Next Stop: Marriage.
