Rewind: My first Proposal shoot!

As I said a couple days ago, I'd really like to start talking about some of the adventures I've had so far as a photographer. It's funny, because something I said I'd never offer is shooting proposals. Engagement photography, sure, but the proposal itself? It just sounded too intimidating! What if I missed the moment? What if my camera malfunctioned? What if I spoiled the surprise? No way was I going to put myself in that position.
Except I did. And then I did again, and then again. And you know what? It's quickly become my signature (and favorite) subject that I offer!

The shoot that broke me into the world of playing hide and seek was back in July, when I received an email from a young guy on vacation with his girlfriend. They were traveling up north and he wanted to pop the question to her, and was looking to hire a photographer to capture the moment. I was terrified, as this was the one shoot I vowed I was not going to offer. But the desire for income and a new client got the better of me, as it usually does for freelancers, so I agreed to do it.

And that's how I found myself on a Sunday morning wandering around Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, searching for a lighthouse that took me surprisingly long to locate, considering what a large structure it is. Once I found it (after unluckily taking the long way around) I came to find that it was right next to the shoreline and surrounded by benches. But what caught my attention the most was a large fern bush growing directly between the lighthouse and the beach, where a large boulder sat right on the shore. That was exactly where he needed to do it!

I quickly texted him a couple of pictures to show him where I was located, and then it was time to wait. It wasn't long before I got the message that they had just parked, and soon enough they were rounding the bend and I caught sight of them.

I can't describe what it feels like to know you look absolutely inconspicuous, yet instead feeling extremely exposed, hiding in plain sight. It's also such a funny feeling to know someone, but to not be able to wave or show any form of recognition as you make eye contact. You're meeting for the first time, but you blink and look away in the form of a greeting.

But as much as I was pretending to ignore them, the moment they disappeared behind the fern bush I immediately leapt up and ran to crouch down behind the leaves. When I say my hands were shaking, that's no exaggeration; my adrenaline was probably almost as high as his!

As it turns out, I had little to worry about. My fear of missing the moment? The moment lasts surprisingly long. My fear of the camera being too far away? I should know by now that my lens and image quality are extremely sharp, they can afford to be cropped a bit.

And the most important thing I've learned? There is no feeling like getting to watch a girl experience so much joy and excitement, especially when you know before her what she's about to receive. If this means I get to vicariously experience surprise after surprise, I'm very okay with Proposal photography becoming my signature market!