It’s not everyday I get to photograph an actual MARRIAGE PROPOSAL!!! Let me start from the beginning…
Last Saturday, I had a Tina Time Mentoring Session with Paige Jeffcoat, a WONDERFULLY sweet + TALENTED photographer from South Carolina. (Read PART 1 to find out more about our day together.)
The best part of our Mentoring Sessions (photographers usually tell me) is the fun photoshoots we do together at the end of the day. For Paige, our photoshoot began out at an airplane hanger with an old boat, car + airplanes. Gayle was our FABULOUS model for that. (see PART 1).
PART 2 of our shoot involved photographing a couple. But this was no ordinary couple. Ryan, I’ve known for years. I use to have 2 Company Photographers working for me, + Ryan was one of them! (He’s an AWESOME photographer!!!) A few weeks ago, Ryan told me about a girl he was dating (Her name is also Paige). He wanted to propose to her, so I suggested we use them as models for this Mentoring Session. Paige had NO IDEA this was a set-up!
We first photographed the BEAUTIFUL couple with an AMAZINGLY CUTE airplane…
Next, this SUPER COOL Mustang arrived…
Paige was wearing a “Promise Ring,” given to her by some great friends when she rededicated her life to Christ. She had no idea she was going to be putting a new ring on that finger that day!
And now for the PROPOSAL!!! Ryan wanted to get engaged under a beautifully decorated tree. A few days prior, I drove around for 2 1/2 hours searching for the “Perfect Tree” for his proposal. And on the day of the shoot, Ryan’s family had spent 2+ hours decorating the tree BEAUTIFULLY!!! I sent my wonderful assistant, Sheila, over to the tree about 20 minutes before taking Ryan + Paige there. The idea was that Paige would think that Sheila had decorated the tree, not Ryan’s family. But upon arriving at the tree with Paige + Ryan, it was hard not to laugh hysterically when saying, “Wow! GREAT JOB setting up the tree, Sheila!” because there would be NO WAY she could have done ALL THAT in that short amount of time! 
It was SPECTACULAR!!!
Ryan’s family was hiding behind a nearby barn, peeking at us through a small little hole. I didn’t want to keep them waiting too long, so we photographed the couple just a little bit before the big moment…
Below, just after this first photo, I distracted Paige while Sheila slipped Ryan the ring box, + then I quickly ran back to get into position… (You can see Ryan holding the box behind his back in image 2)…
Below, you can see Ryan’s family coming out from behind the barns. Paige was surprised to see them! And on the right, you can see Paige Jeffcoat (the LOVELY photographer from South Carolina)…
Paige with Ryan’s brothers…
Ryan’s mom + sisters made this ADORABLE “Save the Date”…
HUGE THANKS!
Paige Jeffcoat, I LOVED spending the day with you!!!! You are such an AMAZINGLY TALENTED photographer + I LOVE knowing you!!! Everyone, check out Paige’s site HERE.
Ryan + Paige, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! And THANK YOU for allowing me to be a part of this very special moment!
Bonnie, THANK YOU for allowing us to use your BEAUTIFUL tree!!! You are such a DELIGHT!
THANK YOU to Medleyanna’s (that CUTE “junk” store in West End) for all of the AMAZINGLY DELIGHTFUL props (seen in and around the tree)!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your store, Harriet!!!
THANK YOU to Bryant + Katherine for allowing us to photograph your AWESOME Mustang! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!
THANK YOU to Diane for allowing us to photograph your SPECTACULAR airplane! It is SO CUTE!!! THANK YOU!!
THANK YOU to my Set Stylist, Sheila, for working with me!!! We couldn’t have done it without you!!
And THANK YOU to Roland for allowing us to photograph inside your hanger!!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!
For more information about having a Tina Time Mentoring Session, click HERE.
