This couple’s portrait session was planned a year ago to be set in our hometowns of Long Beach; but with their busy schedules, the date kept changing. Then due to unforeseen events, Graham McBride Photography relocated from Southern California up to the Bay Area. I had mentioned to Raquel & Sam that I would be moving there and to my delight, they were already looking forward to a future visit and welcomed the idea of a San Francisco portrait shoot since that was where their first official date took place.
Technically being their second official date in San Francisco, Sam wanted to make it one to remember. When the couple arrived in the city, Sam took me aside and told me about his plan to propose to Raquel. I was delighted for him and honoured in the fact that I would be a part of something so special, a milestone in their life. I would be there photographing the actual engagement taking place….not only capturing memories, but making them.
Raquel unknowing that Sam was going to propose
Most engagement sessions usually occur after the proposal has taken place. The big WOW/SURPRISE factor has already been revealed. In this unique photo shoot, the fiancée-to-be hadn’t a clue what her boyfriend had in store. We talked about location and Sam wanted the Golden Gate Bridge as the background scenery. I recalled a spot in the Presidio where there were very few tourists yet still had the bridge in the background. The spot required a short hike through a tree-lined area, along cliffs, and over wooden bridges. Along the way, I continuously took pictures, stopping to take a few posed shots of the couple against a tree and on a small wooden bridge, until we reached our destination with the iconic Golden Gate in the background.
We were in the Presidio for a while, walking around the different banks and dunes and rocks. I was in anticipation thinking any movement Sam made was going to be the drop-to-one-knee-and-pop-the-question moment. We walked around the cliffs and finally found THE location. Sam asked me to take a picture of the scene with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background so he could preview just how perfect it was. Sam wanted the element of surprise, so I told Raquel to close her eyes, as if casually directing my model. As she shut her eyes, Sam got down on one knee and opened the ring box. Just like a fairytale, Raquel opened her eyes to find Sam proposing to her. She was over the moon, jumping in excitement and even pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
It was an amazing event to witness. She said “YES!” and wouldn’t let go of her future husband. After the shock of excitement had calmed, the newly engaged couple could not thank me enough for capturing the entire moment.
But it was I, who was thankful not only for the photographic opportunity but also for Raquel & Sam sharing this significant occasion of their life.
The great joy I find in being a photographer is that when I do weddings or family portraits, I meet different people and their family and their friends. A business and personal relationship grows throughout the years. And in each photographic session, I am not only capturing their memories, I am capturing mine as well…
