I have to say that photographing wedding proposals is the closest thing to me envisioning that I’m James Bond. The planning plus playing the role of “not a wedding photographer stalking a couple” are adventures for me that will never get old! This Brasada Ranch wedding proposal with {Stephanie + Stephen} was exactly that and knowing Brasada like the back of my hand, from photographing many weddings at Brasada such as this one with {Amy + Grant} over the last 15 years, made it that much more fun.
How to not tip off the future bride is the most important part of the equation and this is not easy for us guys! From my own experience as well as talking to others, it’s typical that we have our #1 proposal option as the only option. The #1 option became that option because it was the best idea and our partner only deserves the best, right? That’s the way I looked at it, as I thought the coolest way to propose to Wendy would be to do a xc ski to Todd Lake near Mt Bachelor, OR and with an upcoming trip to AZ to see my parents as well as having her mom & sister down in the AZ area visiting family as well…..let’s say things could not be arranged better…..except that it was Friday and we were leaving for AZ that Monday and most importantly……THERE WAS NO SNOW!
So back at Brasada, we had to choose where he would propose based on the sunlight at the time when they’d be in a certain place as well as choosing a location that was away from the public as much as possible for this intimate moment. I’m not going to lie in that there is a bit of luck when everything falls into place as there is a lot we just are not in control of, (such as the direction the couple ends up facing when the knee goes down)…but to be honest, that is exactly what makes it so awesomely fun and special. Ok, so the idea was that at a certain time they would be making their way down to the trestle bridge which is a fantastic focal point at Brasada Ranch for a wedding proposal.
Fast forward to the big day and I was playing my part on the bridge as the nature photographer who was getting quite curious about certain flowers all the while making quick glances to make sure I didn’t miss them on the bridge before they continued down to a pond where the magic would happen. Whew, they are on the bridge and we’re doing this! Stephen gives me a quick glance to make sure I’m all in, (oh yea, we’ve never met face to face before), before he begins walking down the path with Stephanie. I wait a little bit so she doesn’t think it weird that some dude is following them down with a camera and now it’s game time. I make my way quickly to the bridge entrance to the path which drops down to the pond and am hoping they are not walking too fast! The path is flattening out now and I need to circle around to where I envisioned I needed to be, in relation to the direction Stephen was going to stand, so it’s time to get in the bushes and dirt and move fast! Ok, they’ve stopped walking and now I’m hiding behind a bush in the perfect place with the perfect angle to photograph them.
My heart’s beating fast as I’m trying to hide and avoid being seen but not missing that 1 second moment as he drops to a knee, and…..wait, he’s going down…..game time! Once Stephanie has her focus on the ring and what’s happening, I have much more freedom to photograph what’s happening without the worry of distracting them both. As I remember, I even was able to move over to a completely different vantage point for a different angle without being noticed and by that point it would not have been a big deal as I already had gotten the images needed and knew we would have time for some artistic creative portraits within the property. After the moment was over, I hear Stephen say to Stephanie, “so I should probably introduce you to Byron, he’s the photographer hiding behind that tree over there”……
Hey, wait….I never finished my story about my own proposal. Well, it’s Friday and there’s no snow….now it’s Saturday and there’s no snow and I’m finally starting to think I need to come up with Plan B…Crap! So Sunday morning arrives….along with about 1.5 feet of fresh snow! GAME ON!!!
Want to check out another epic proposal? Here’s one that took place at the summit of Mt Bachelor in Bend, Oregon
Byron
