I was contacted by James with a request to photograph a surprise wedding proposal to his girlfriend. He wanted this wedding proposal to be just perfect. I was so excited as I hadn’t had the opportunity to photograph one before. I was even more excited when James expressed his plans on how he wanted the proposal to go.
James had wanted to capture the proposal secretly like many have been doing lately. However, in most situations after the proposal the girl is made aware that it was captured and continue with a photoshoot. James wanted it to be a complete surprise saving the images until Hilary’s birthday. He wanted everything to be a surprise and so very special. I thought that was the sweetest thing ever.
We met at Lake Ontario Park a few weeks prior to the day James planned to take Hilary out to dinner and propose. We scouted the area looking for the best location so he could ask her that all important question without dropping the ring into the lake as he knew he’d be nervous at the time. We chatted about the timing of where and when to be so that his proposal was timed as the sun was setting. He also did not want Hilary to ever know she was photographed. It was a little tricky but I thought if I was already there doing a photoshoot with someone else, she may not suspect a thing.
So on the day of the proposal, my husband and I were already set up at the location and were photographing a friend of mine who was in on the secret. James arrived with Hilary and strolled around the area all the while I was doing a photoshoot (or pretending to do a photoshoot). Then at the right moment, as the sun was setting James got down on one knee and proposed to Hilary. I couldn’t hear her answer, but I knew what it was as I could see her excitement and her tears. I think James was able to keep it a secret as it didn’t look as though Hilary had any clue that that evening was going to be the day. I thought it all too ironic that she had taken out her cell phone and started taking photographs to capture the moment when I was already capturing it secretly. This wedding proposal was so beautiful and so thoughtful. I think Hilary is one lucky girl. I’m now looking forward to actually meeting her when we do their engagement session in the near future.
And James couldn’t contain himself and ordered prints and a canvas and gave Hilary an early birthday present. I had a feeling this would happen.
