As it is St Valentine’s day when love is in the air, it seems a good time to share images from a lovely surprise engagement proposal that I was asked to photograph recently.
I had been contacted a few weeks before Christmas by Nina, who wanted to propose to her girlfriend Rachel, and asked if I could help arrange the surprise and photograph the event. The plan was that we would arrange a ‘family photoshoot’ to take place just after Christmas (actually on Rachel’s birthday) and then Nina would surprise Rachel with the proposal of marriage. Rachel’s two children, Katie and Tom, had already given their seal of approval to the idea and Nina was keen for them to be involved, by holding up a message on large pieces of card at the time of the proposal. We decided that I would take the placards with me as photographic kit, hidden in a reflector bag. We would then do some family pictures while we got to a suitable place, and then I would suggest just photographing Nina and Rachel and ask Katie and Tom to hold up the blank side of my card ‘reflectors’ to pop a bit of light onto the shot. I would get Nina and Rachel to look at each other for a shot or two, and then, after Katie and Tom had flipped their reflectors to reveal the message, I would ask Nina and Rachel to look back to me. At this point Rachel would see the message and Nina would propose.
So on the day after Boxing Day, and with the plan in place, we set out to Snipe Dales Country Park, near Horncastle, on a bright and frosty morning. Katie and Tom were excited, and Nina looked a little nervous as we walked down the hill, stopping occasionally to get some images. The bridge seemed a good spot and everything went smoothly with Katie and Tom acting as perfect photographer’s assistants. As Rachel turned and saw the message on the reflectors Nina got down on one knee with engagement ring at the ready. Rachel said yes! And with a few tears, and lots of laughter, Nina put the engagement ring on Rachel’s finger.
As an engagement and wedding photographer it is a real joy to witness and be part of such happy occasions. Congratulations Nina and Rachel, you make a wonderful couple x
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