Just because I am primarily a family and senior photographer doesn't mean that I don't love capturing love! Last year I was able to photograph a surprise proposal in February for a good friend's son. I loved every second of it! Before the big day, Ryan and I chatted about what he had planned, where I needed to be, etc. He had decided to propose to his sweetheart, Katie, at a greek restaurant up in Salt Lake, called, Aristos. After I got off the phone with him, I immediately called the restaurant to let them in on the big surprise. The hostess, Amy was amazingly helpful and she edited their reservation to make sure that Ryan and Katie had a prime location for the proposal. She also made a note to keep the table next to them open and reserved for me. 

     The day of the proposal came and I drove up to Salt Lake with butterflies in my stomach! I was so excited for this to all go down! Luckily Katie didn't know me so there was no worry about her seeing me and blowing the surprise. I arrived and let the staff know that I was here for the "main event." They seated me and gave me two menus and waters to help me avoid suspicion. I waited for Ryan and Katie to arrive. Soon I saw a cute couple walk in, all bundled up from the February cold. Ryan and I made eye contact and I began to feel even more excited. To make it less suspicious, before they arrived I had already taken my camera out of my bag, got my settings right and had hidden it on my lap, under the table cloth. As they talked and looked over meal options I pretended to go over the menu for the first time, and check my phone while looking outside - as if I was waiting for my date to arrive. I must've done a really convincing job because Katie kept looking over at me in my direction. Later I learned that she was afraid I had been stood up and felt so sorry for me! haha! 

     After they ordered, Ryan got up to use the restroom. As soon as he was out of sight I got a text from him saying that the ring was in his pocket and he was doing it soon!! He came back to the table and started chatting with Katie again. Thanks to our staging and planning I had an excellent view and was able to see out of the corner of my eye when he reached for the ring. As soon as he went for it I jumped into photographer mode and began snapping away as Ryan asked the love of his life to marry him. I stayed at the table until he got down on one knee and then I was in the clear to completely blow my cover, stand up, and get a better shot. Everything turned out so perfect! I'm so happy I got to be apart of Ryan and Katie's special night. The thrill of knowing and waiting for the moment so I could photograph it was so worth it looking like I had been stood up! Haha! I'm so happy for them and hope their first year of marriage is treating them well!