Where do I begin to tell this story. I’ve known Nick for about a decade at this point. Nick is a close friend I consider one of my brothers and he has a big heart. I remember when he met Diana how happy he was, she seemed like she was his missing piece. Every time since they started dating that I’ve seen them together, I can see the mutual adoration between them. Just the way either one looks at the other while speaking, oozes love.
One night, Nick sends me a text. “Hey, are you busy on this day?”
I unfortunately was, but I knew what was coming with the subsequent question.
I must say, it’s a real honor when anyone asks me to photograph a significant moment in their lives, it’s not really something I take for granted.
Nick and I quickly started plotting THE DAY. The one where he would get down on one knee and propose to the love of his life. He knew he wanted to go to Clinton Beach, a short drive from their house, and one of Diana’s favorite spots. And he also knew he wanted it to be at sunset.
Immediately my gears start turning. Will the weather hold up? Will the sky be blazing like I know it can be this time of year? Will there be a lot of people there and potentially in the background? WILL DIANA SEE ME AND BLOW MY COVER?
Honestly, one of my biggest concerns! At Nick’s brother Bill’s wedding (blog to come on that), Diana made a passing comment about knowing it will be the day, when she sees me hiding in the woods with a lens.
I had a few things in my favor. Diana doesn’t necessarily know what kind of car I drive. Great, plan is in action, we’ll meet there around 6:30 and Nick will propose!
The day of, I got a little anxious. Almost like I was the one doing the proposing! The beach was empty when I arrived (score!) but that also meant the parking lot was empty… Where was I going to hide?!
Another bummer, it was overcast. And I couldn’t quite tell if we were going to get that beautiful sunset we had seen the night before.
I park next to a pickup truck. I wait to see Nick pull up, and then I went full secret agent. I jump out of my car, crouch behind the back, make quick eye contact with Nick, wait for them to walk down to the water, and then hide behind the pickup truck. That poor couple inside! They must have been so confused!
I sprint across the parking lot and hide behind Nicks car, which was parked in front of a bench, heart racing, waiting for them to get a little further away so Diana doesn’t see me. I then nonchalantly sit on the bench, pretending like I don’t have a massive 70-200mm white lens on my camera. There weren’t even birds in the sky, I couldn't pass it off like I was there for something else.
Then the moment finally came. I could see Nick grab Diana’s hands and start “the talk.” I can only start to imagine what Nick said to her in that moment, I watched him get down on one knee and I started snapping away. I could tell from where I was she (obviously) said yes, so I took off running across the beach.
“CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I’M THE FIRST ONE TO GET TO SAY IT!!!” I scream with delight.
Needless to say, Diana was surprised. And happy to boot!
Since we were all already there, I gave them the glamour treatment and we waited out that sunset. And let me tell you, just like looking for a good love, it was worth the wait. The sky did not disappoint, it gave us a show no one else was there for. A perfectly special night for two people, starting the next chapter together on their journey of life.
