I’m always down for a good surprise proposal. Although, I think they make me as nervous as the person doing the proposing! Just think: not only do you not want to miss the moment as the photographer, but you don’t want the person who is being proposed to to know they’re being proposed to. So if they see a photographer taking their picture, they may let on … so the pressure is on!
I think that’s why I love these sessions so much. There is so much brainstorming, planning, designing, problem-solving, improvising, and acting involved that it always keeps me on my toes.
I have so many stories I could share … from playing tourist at Universal Studios where it backfired and a bunch of actual tourists got in my way right before he got down on his knees to propose (don’t worry, I got the shot!) to being the photographer they hired while “on vacation” (little did she know that he was doing it so he could propose). And just when I’ve thought I’ve seen and done it all … another unique couple comes along!
The Couple
Marriage wasn’t on their minds when these two first started dating. But as the years went on, neither Katherine or Uanna could imagine being with anyone else and the idea of getting married became something they realized they now wanted. So while watching “Suits,” the scene where Rachel and Mike are discussing getting married, Uanna made a comment about getting engaged. Meanwhile, unknowing to her, Katherine had already designed an engagement ring and had it hidden in her secret spot, waiting for the perfect time.
Katherine had the details down: the custom engagement ring that reminded her of a kaleidoscope (incorporating her childhood memories into it) and put in a setting that was inspired by all of Uanna’s other rings, proposing in the month of May because it’s a special month for Uanna (for multiple personal reasons) and the bridge location to symbolize unifying their lives and love, as well as representing their meaningful connection.
She really thought of everything!
The Plan
Katherine reached out to me a few weeks prior to their trip to Austin. She told me about Zilker Botanical Garden and the bridge. All she needed was the photographer, time, and the master plan.
What we came up with:
Time: on a week day, when the park first opens … so it’s less busy. And less hot!
Photographer: me! Pretending to be a nature photographer taking photos of the trees, flowers, and whatever makes me happy.
Master plan: The two arrive, stroll down to the bridge. When they get to the bridge is when Katherine will ask Uanna to marry her.
The Surprise Proposal
I’m enjoying the view, sweat dripping down my brow, birds chasing after what I can only guess is a grasshopper. I see Katherine out of the corner of my eye. She had sent me a picture of her earlier that morning of her in an orange jumpsuit. So I knew to be on the lookout for orange.
The two of them, hand in hand, pointing and chatting. They had their dog walking next to them.
Every so often, they’d stop to take photos of one another or a selfie. And, finally, they were at the bridge.
It was surprise proposal time! Katherine turned to face Uanna. She caressed Uanna’s face, grabbed the ring from her pocket, swooped up the dog, went down on one knee, and popped the question.
The answer was “sim, sim, SIM!” **means “yes” in Portuguese**
Followed by “wait, this is an engagement ring, right?!”
After some private time, we did a little mini engagement session:
Katherine and Uanna
Congratulations!!! You two are the absolute cutest and I am so honored to be able to tell this part of your love story!