Ok, I have to admit something. I have somehow gone 20 years as a photographer and I have only shot one actual proposal. (Holy crap, has it really been 20 years? Twenty? Right, let’s get back on topic…)
I’m not really sure when professionally photographing proposals became a thing – it feels like it’s only been the last couple of years, to be honest. I have been receiving the inquiries but they are often last minute and I am was not available. (Guys like to propose on Saturdays and, well, I’m kind of shooting weddings then!)
This inquiry came my way from a friend-photographer, Tracy Autem. Tracy was already contracted for their wedding but unavailable that evening so she was kind enough to send my name along. I was soon contacted by the soon-to-be-bride’s mother and she texted me some adorable pictures of the couple, Casey & Amy. It wasn’t until the day before the proposal that I actually spoke to Casey. We devised a simple plan – they would be heading from the Fort Worth Club to Sundance Square and he wanted to propose with the longhorn mural in the background.
Since we had never met, I told them to approach “the girl with the camera, wearing a long floral dress” from the left. I would be pretending to photograph another couple (Vivian and Josh!) and I would apologize and tell them I was getting out of their way. That way Casey would know exactly where to stand during the proposal. Simple!
Vivian, Josh and I were well prepared, too. Since we didn’t want to be interrupted, we had walked over to every security guard and showed them our permit to shoot. We took up some valuable space right in the middle of the square with our bags. We chased away a couple that was making out and shoved a little kid out of way. We stretched. Twice.
Here’s Vivian and Josh looking out for them as they approach …
Casey got right down to business …
But wait, there’s more … there was some very excited family and friends waiting on the sidelines!
Just as we finished up some family pictures in the middle of the square … the fountains came on! I scream “the fountains are coming on!” And Josh runs over there to warn them …
… and we all laugh about it for some time …
Just a few pictures of the newly engaged couple.
