What little details from your proposal do you want to remember forever?

Surprise proposals are one of those deeply meaningful moments — just like a first look or sharing of vows during a wedding ceremony — where my role is to capture it without interrupting, staying far enough away so the moment is purely yours while still preserving every detail.

For A + E, that moment was truly unforgettable. She literally jumped for joy right before he kneeled down to propose, and that spontaneous, unposed reaction became everyone’s favorite photo. To make it even more special, both sides of the family were secretly invited to witness the proposal. The joy on her face when she saw all her loved ones waiting to celebrate was priceless, and it gave me a deep appreciation for families like them.

They had brought champagne for “pretend” celebratory photos, but instead of staging it, I asked if anyone wanted to share a toast. Both dads volunteered and gave heartfelt speeches, which turned what could have been a posed photo-op into a real memory they’ll never forget! That’s always my approach: guiding couples away from faking moments, and gently helping real ones unfold instead.

This proposal reminded me that marriage is never just about two people, it’s also about the community of love and support surrounding you. Seeing her huge smile and joy-filled reaction to the perfect proposal was an honor to capture, and a moment that will be cherished for years to come.