Kaylee and Jacob
I have shot a couple of wedding proposals before, but this one had the most moving parts that required some pretty serious coordination. Working with Jacob, planning for this monumental moment was a lot of fun. We exchanged emails and phone calls, doing our best to cover all the possibilities like how much time required to hike the trail, lack of cell service and communication, location of the sun, and how we recognize each other having never met. (If having a professional photographer there to capture the scene is important to you, definitely consider alllll the moving parts that goes into it).
The morning of the proposal was exhilarating. I built in plenty of time to allow myself to get lost at least once since I relied only on a map and had no GPS/cell service to guide me to the correct parking lot. I know myself not to be the best of map-readers (or map-folders) so when I hit the trail a mixture of adrenaline and a tiny bit of healthy fear hit me. I had to reach the overlook before them and appear to be a nonchalant hiker enjoying the view. I sent Jacob the “code” text—one that let him know I arrived but appeared to be a work matter to Kaylee’s eyes, and I was off. I ended up running halfway up the mountain out of excitement to make sure everything came off perfectly. The view was beautiful, and though the sun was high, I was able to position myself in a way that would notify Jacob where to stand so we would get the best light for the circumstances. Of course, I will tell you the best lighting is at golden hour, but life can’t always be moved around for that. I can’t control the elements, the sun’s position, or when you decide to live out the biggest moments of your lives. But I can do my best, put my whole heart into it, and capture your moments with passion and skill (and sometimes a little bit of mad, frenzied sweat from sprinting an advanced trail up a mountain).
A young family arrived just before Jacob and Kaylee. I could sense Jacob’s nervousness as we briefly exchanged glances. He waited for the family to leave and I pretended to be wildly interested in photographing the foliage and scene around us all the while listening and watching closely for Jacob to take the knee.
I seriously felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I cannot imagine how he was feeling. And in an instant, he was kneeling and I was madly clicking. It was an amazing experience to capture Kaylee’s surprise and incredible joy, unscripted and spontaneous and to hear Jacob’s deep admiration and anticipation to ask Kaylee to marry him. I had only known Jacob a week, and Kaylee ten minutes at the end of the shoot, but being able to see the culmination of their six-year long relationship on top of that mountain was incredible. Thank you so much for entrusting this moment to me. It means so very much.
