This Summer, an inquiry popped into my inbox from Jonathan—asking about my availability on July 7 for a family session turned proposal. After ten years with his girlfriend, and raising two beautiful kids, he wanted to propose on the 7th month of the year, on the 7th day, at the 7 o’ clock hour. This time and date has a special meaning to them as a family (made even more special with this proposal) and he stressed that it was important the proposal took place at exactly that time.

After a handful of candid proposal shoots this year (where I’m arriving early to hide, stalking the clients location on GPS, getting more nervous by the minute) it was a DREAM to have this proposal happen mid-family session. (From the photographer’s perspective, haha!)

I had worked out a plan with Jonathan to communicate when it was 7:00pm, in a natural way. I can easily check the time on the back of my camera without the client knowing I’m doing it. I don’t really pay too much attention to time at a family session, I usually photograph until we get what I know we “need” (or until the kids expire, haha.) However, I told Jonathan that when I noticed it was 6:58pm(ish) on my camera, I would absent-mindedly announce “I’m just going to check the time here… okay great! It’s 6:59pm, we’re about halfway through.” (Something else I would never say to the client… I’m not counting minutes here, haha.)

It worked perfectly though. I had planned the session so that when it was near 7:00pm (half hour into the shoot), the kids would be behind the camera with their Grandpa, and just Jonathan and May would be in front of my camera. I love how these photos turned out, and you can see by May’s tears how surprised she truly was! It’s so special to be a part of moments like these. Thank you so much for hiring me Jonathan!

alt=”Queen Elizabeth Park Proposal Photos”