So I spent my time going through all the images from last night and had to have a box of tissues near me. Yes, it’s mushy and gushy and all the other lovey dovey things you can think of!
Dave first contacted me to say that he was a blog stalker of mine and liked to use my images as inspiration for his own videography work. I am still at the point where I’m inspired by so many people, so to have those feelings reciprocated was just plain weird! (and exciting!) He explained that it was his 2 year anniversary with his girlfriend and he was planning to propose, and wanted me to document it. They had pictures taken on their 1 year anniversary, so he felt like she wouldn’t be suspicious if he planned a photoshoot.
After a long phone conversation, using Google maps to do a satellite search and agree on the exact location, and coming up with a secret word, we were ready to go! They met me at the park where he first asked her out and we started playing on the swing-set and having a great time. Her sisters brought her dog to the park to join in some pictures, and it seemed pretty clear that she had no idea what was going on.
So we made our way over to the “spot”, I checked my settings and then used the secret word to let Dave know that I was ready if he was! (I didn’t want to be all up in their space during the proposal, so I put on my long lens and explained I was going to act like “paparazzi” and stay back and let them do their thing. “Paparazzi” was our secret word. hehe)
So I step back and crouch down and just shoot their cute expressions as they talked….and they talked and talked some more. I started to wonder if he was getting cold feet! After about 5 minutes he dropped to one knee and the rest is history. I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story! Congrats you two! Major props to Dave for pulling this off. Maybe more guys should hire a photographer to shoot their proposal! *ahem ahem*
If laughter is the recipe to a successful marriage these two have it made!
Ok, it was at this point that I had said “paparazzi” and left Dave to work his magic. I have no idea what was being said here…I guess you can use your imagination, or maybe they can enlighten us?
Now the sequence you’ve all been waiting for…I looove the last one! Goodness gracious he looks excited!
After a few seconds she turned my way and said, “Did YOU know about this?”. Yes, I’m afraid I was in on it. It was so fun, and I’ve never been so nervous during a shoot before! Jessica was freaking out because Dave didn’t have the ring in a box. It wouldn’t fit easily in his pocket and she was worried it would fall between the cracks of the dock so she was scared to take it out of his fingers.
Jessica really liked her ring and spent quite a bit of time oogling it:
This completely cracked me up. I made the comment that this might be my favorite session ever, and Jessica looks at me and says, “So does this mean we’ll be on your blog?!” When I said ‘yes’, this was their reaction:
The weather in Jacksonville had been horrible all week, but the rain held off until the very end of their session. Can you see the drops starting to come down?
Jessica’s sisters ran back to the house to get her favorite book, the Oxford Dictionary! (she’s an english major) They also brought her dad back who got to congratulate the happy couple. Jessica had obviously thought about her engagement and knew she wanted a picture of her ring with the word LOVE from her dictionary. Before her dad arrived, Dave mentioned that he had asked her dad a few days earlier for her hand in marriage and that he said ‘yes’. Jessica’s reaction was “Oh thank goodness!” haha
Aww…that was so sweet. I totally teared up.
You were right! I needed a box of tissues to look t those pictures! What a sweet couple and you can definetely tell they are in love!!! I loved how he planned the proposal and the secret word! Tears and laughter were all I had looking t this proposal. I felt like I was there! Congrats Jessica and Dave!! May God bless your mariage.
They are officially the cutest couple ever. I love their facial expressions & all the laughs that you captured.
I’ll admit, I’ve been curious about the story behind this session since I read about it on fb! It’s so sweet, and I teared up when I saw the proposal sequence 🙂
Lovely as always!
I work with David, and was *SO* excited to see him post about this on his facebook! Thank you for adding the link- I’m just thrilled for them. What an amazing couple, and sweet, beautiful story they will treasure forever. Great captures of a wonderful moment!
what a brilliant idea! And the results are fabulous!!
PS — This is Jax?? What park? That bridge is really pretty!
AW! This is by far one of my favorites! I love how he’s SO excited! Great Job! 🙂
so so so so sweet and amazing photos. kudos to dave, that was awesome!!! you were right i definitely teared up.
How sweet! It made me cry a little! Fantastic pictures as always!
Seriously that is the sweetest thing ever! Congrats. Thanks for making me cry at work
I am teary eyed too! I have only seen the two of them together once but they really are really cute together. I didnt know David was just a softie! Good job Dave! (and nice job to photographer too!)
Awwhhhh…Congratulations Jessica and David! You guy’s are so cute together…
Jess and Dave, I love these pics! I’m so glad Dave thought of getting this done so we could all see you reaction. I love you jessie! Congratulations!
THAT IS SOO SWEET!!! CONGRATS DAVE AND JESSICA!!!
those are such great pictures!!! You are a wonderful photographer!!! Too bad we’re down in SFL now or I might need some for Noah’s bday pics!
Great job dave! Did something similar. 🙂 So worth the work. Congrats, and look forward to talking to you soon.
How exciting! Congrats to the happy couple! You did a wonderful job capturing the moment! 🙂 I also love the personal touch of the dictionary shot.
SO HAPPY FOR YALL
GOOD JOB DAVE!
Best blog post ever! That was sooo sweet. Great job capturing it. These images are so beautiful, and I love the ring shot on the dictionary. 🙂