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Engagement
When Brooke contacted me about doing an engagement session at Flat Rock Park, I was instantly all in. I hadn’t had a chance to shoot at this park yet, but I’d visited several times with my family and I knew it was one of the most gorgeous natural settings in Columbus.
What I didn’t know yet? Flat Rock Park had even more special meaning to Brooke & David.
The first time Tyler Howard came over to our house was last Thanksgiving. Every year, my husband, Nick, and I host a Thanksgiving dinner for all of the soldiers who didn't go home for the holiday. I remember overhearing Tyler having a conversation with Nick, declaring his love for his best friend, Taylor, back home in California. "Well, why don't you ask her out, man?" Nick asked him. "I'm going to!" Tyler declared. "I'm gonna do it! Next time I go home!" (Yes, Tyler is a person who talks in exclamations a lot.)
He actually didn't. It wasn't until Taylor flew in a few months later to visit that Tyler finally officially asked her to be his girlfriend. See, Taylor and Tyler have the storybook romance… Boy meets girl in high school, boy gets put in friend zone, boy and girl become inseparable best friends, boy falls in love with girl, girl (eventually) realizes she loves boy too. I swear, this is not a chick flick plot. These two genuinely grew up riding horses, learning to dance on a hill by their houses, hanging out in coffee shops… I mean, it sounds like it's straight out of a movie.
So when Tyler revealed to me a few months later that he was ready to pop the question, I insisted that he hire a photographer. "Every girl wants a photographer at her surprise proposal!" I reminded him every chance I got. So, I was obviously thrilled when he asked me to photograph it for him. We planned it out meticulously a couple of weeks before. He would take her to the park in Steilacoom by their future apartment, a small bluetooth speaker would be set up and waiting for him to play their song, and he would dance with her on this beautiful white platform overlooking Puget Sound. I'd be hiding just in front of the platform out of sight, and at the end of the song, he'd reach into his boot and I'd hurry into position. It would all happen at golden hour with the sun in front of them on a beautiful day…
There was one flaw in our master plan. We were SO excited about how perfect it was, we didn't think of a plan B. Nick and I got down there early and set everything up. I crouched down in front of the platform as planned and Nick disappeared into an alley. Then, a couple walked up. I peeked up from the platform and smiled at them. Taylor and Tyler were approaching quickly and I froze. How do I kick these people off the platform?! I tried to make it very obvious what I was doing without shouting at them to leave, and even gave them the universal "shh" signal, like, "don't rat me out." Then they started talking to each other in Spanish and all I could understand was, "photo." Oh, great, so they saw me and were probably going to give me away!
I heard their boots hit the platform and immediately Taylor ran over to the railing and leaned over. I was RIGHT UNDER HER NOSE! I quickly melted into the side of the platform as best as I could. Tyler spotted me crouched down and started laughing. "Tyler, why are you laughing?!" Taylor asked. "Oh, I just saw some lady pick a wedgie…" "Uh huh. You're acting weird, why are you acting weird?" and then a few minutes later I heard, "You're really sweaty, it's not that hot out!" and almost laughed.
After about 10 minutes… a really good leg workout for me, crouching down there… Tyler texted me and said he was going to do it on the bench. There were 3 benches! I was freaking out, I had no idea what to do and Taylor was starting to get annoyed with how he was glued to his phone. At one point, I thought I knew which bench and was gonna make a run for it, but when I peeked out they were right in front of me! I quickly ducked back down thinking I'd ruined it. I texted him to come down by the fence and do it, thinking I might just have a shot at catching it if he did. So he did, he totally winged it and it turned out great! He played the song on his phone while I hovered around the platform taking pictures through any opening I could find. I watched them dance and then he started to crouch down. He was digging in his boot for forever!
Finally, he got down on his knee. At this point, I started running, still crouched (I don't know why…), trying to catch her reaction. She saw me -- "EMILY? EMILY!" and just started laughing.
Tyler was so nervous and excited, he tried to put her ring on her right hand! Nick had been hiding out with all the props (and our sleeping baby), so he came out of hiding to help me out with the rest of the shoot.
They loved all of the props we surprised them with--especially the bottle of champagne!
These two were so much fun to work with. I love working with people who aren't afraid to let loose and have some fun in front of the camera! They were both totally natural and didn't even act like there was a camera in their faces--and that is what lifestyle photography is all about!
It was such a precious moment and I'm so glad I got to capture it. They were so much fun to photograph! Taylor is so relaxed and cool, she is going to be such an awesome bride for a lucky photographer to work with.
Taylor and Tyler texted their parents and closest friends to share the news, then we wrapped up the night with burgers at Topside Grill. It all couldn't have gone better. The weather was beautiful and Taylor's reaction was priceless!
You can view Taylor & Tyler's full gallery here.
