Proposal Photography of High School Sweethearts
I get to shoot a lot of proposals. I love them because the proposal itself only takes a few moments. Making the supporting story hang together is the challenge. This happens, for example, at a wedding, when the I do’s are the shortest part of the day. But the are also the most significant because they are the whole point. The key is to demonstrate the gravitas of the proposal itself, but to also create a visual narrative in the time we have together. It has to have rythym, enough to tell a story.
These delightful, engaging and gorgeous girls are high school sweethearts. They were paired up to practice together by their violin teacher almost a decade ago. But they had to make some beautiful music together for a couple of years before the sparks started to fly.
She first said she loved her in front of a lotus garden. So naturally, she bought a permit to propose in front of the most gorgeous lotus garden in New York. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden.
When she decided to propose, she asked her baby brother for permission. He is 16 and loves classical music. Naturally he gave his blessing. Then came the issue of how to pop the question. The whole family got involved, creating an elaborate ruse that hung together perfectly. We were in the perfect spot, she had no idea. As she approached, her sisters and brother escorted her in. You could see in her face as she started to figure it out. I don’t think she knew she was walking into her proposal for a few moments. But then it happened. She read a letter she had written to her, dropped to her knee, and poured her heart out.
She wore yellow, and coordinated a yellow ring box, since that is her favorite color. Her dress matched the lotus leaves and the diamond sparkled like the flickering waters which surrounded them.
I’ve never seen two kids so in love before. I got to capture a lot of love that day. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did shooting it.
A photo of the ring shot in the car on the way to the location.
She coordinated her outfit around the fabric on the box.
Yellow is her sweetheart’s favorite color.
Goals.
The proposal took place in front of a lotus pond, a place full of symbolism for them.
The tears.
It’s starting to set in.
Surrounded by family.
She asked her partner’s little brother for permission.
Sisters.
A walk in the garden. Just so in love.