Best Friend's Proposal

Yesterday I had the absolute honor and privilege of photographing my best friend being proposed to!!! It was such an incredible, heart-warming, and exciting experience - the actual proposal, as well as the planning of it with the future groom! So I thought I would share some photos and the experience because I can't stop thinking about it 💗

Just 3 days ago, I got a DM on Instagram from Bryan...as soon as I saw "message request from Bryan," I knew it was this 😍 We talked about ideas, locations, times, but he knew he wanted to do it soon, like real soon. Even though he had literally just asked me if I would do this, he said he would be in the area the next day if I had any time to scope out some places to find the perfect spot. And after we had arranged that, a few hours go by before he asks if I also happened to be free the day after, as well, to do the actual proposal.

Thankfully I was free both days, and just as eager for this as he was! So I drove up to Hartford the next day and we drove around to a few different parks and parts of the city. After 2 hours, we finally found the perfect spot. It was in a relatively quiet park, and even more perfect was the random staircase of about 5 steps leading down to a tiny area by the pond, in front of a wall blocking off any random people walking behind them. It was secluded, intimate, and seriously the most random-yet-perfect spot we could have found. And, there was a bench across the pond that I could sit and wait without drawing any suspicions, or having to hide behind a tree/in bushes. 😊

The morning of, I was so full of nerves, excitement, and overall "I just can't wait to get there and do this!!!" The entire hour drive to Hartford I was repeatedly thinking over the camera settings I would need, reassuring myself that I had brought everything I needed, and preparing for every possibility of people being in the way - over and over and over again. I finally get there, settle in to my spot on the bench, and start photographing the area to check the lighting and my settings. There is also the very real discomfort that can accompany being a woman by herself in the middle of downtown-anywhere, so I was on high alert and uneasy with every person that approached me - in addition to the already heightened sense of nervousness/excitement that filled my bones.

I finally got the quick "hdkslc" random letters text from Bryan signaling that they had arrived. I sat on my bench, with my sunglasses, hat, & big scarf on, facing the opposite direction to minimize any chance of her seeing me. I got a few shots of them walking towards the spot as my heart started to race faster, I figured my settings were correct from my test shots prior as there was no time to change them as they quickly approached the staircase. He pulled her towards the stairs, pointed at nothing and said "whoa look at that," she bought it, walked to the edge of the pond, as he pulled out the ring and got down on his knee behind her. I had my camera on Continuous Shooting firing away as she turned around and saw him on his knee. ❤️️

There are some aspects that didn't quite match the vision in my head but all that truly matters is that these two beautiful souls are engaged, and that I was able to gift them these moments in time for the rest of their lives together. I seriously can't fully express how blessed I feel to have been a part of this and to have helped Bryan create the perfect moment for the two of them. There are no words. Thank you to Bryan for reaching out to me, and for wanting to spend the rest of his life with my beautiful best friend. I cannot WAIT to see you two take on this world! See youguys at your engagement shoot 😉