I love photographing live proposals.  There’s just such a high amount of anticipation and then lots of authentic emotions when the question is actually asked— will you marry me?   It could just be the most memorable experience of most people’s lives… so as a photographer, the responsibility and pressure to ‘get the shot’ is immense.

There is a unique challenge to planning it all out with the guy beforehand, but essentially we are just picking a nice location and an ideal time for things to happen.  On the day of the event I have to get there early and figure out the angle to photograph from, while also finding a good spot to hide so that I don’t spoil the surprise. On this day, I think Kelly was truly surprised to see Matthew down on one knee. Seconds earlier she thought that she was just enjoying a romantic picnic alone with her boyfriend, at beautiful Stroud Preserve here in West Chester.  Meanwhile, Matt had hired me to cover the whole event in a paparazzi style, and I was a good distance away hiding in some tall grass with a huge white lens, so she had no idea! Congratulations Kelly & Matthew!! ⁣