Proposal Caught on Camera! {Carroll Valley, PA Photographer}

It finally happened. I was finally able to capture a proposal on camera, and I didn't even have to hide in the trees!

It all began when Azim contacted Liberty Mountain asking for a special chairlift ride to the top of Liberty Mountain so he could propose to his girlfriend Amrin. Azim was pointed in my direction and I was the lucky one chosen to help him make plans for the special day. Of course I offered to take pictures of the proposal and was thrilled that I'd finally get the opportunity to photograph such a secretly-planned, once-in-a-lifetime, special occasion.

It was the perfect day for a proposal. Beautiful blue skies, lots of sunshine, warm temps, and a not-so-crowded mountain top with a great view. As I rode the chairlift up the mountain with Azim and Amrin, I was nervous. What if I missed the proposal? What if I wasn't in the right spot for great pictures? What if I somehow gave away the secret?? But once we got to the top, I was ready for action and couldn't wait to see it all take place. Besides, the only proposal I've ever been to was mine own. Thanks Honey. :)

Congratulations Azim and Amrin! Thanks for letting me be part of something so special!

Guys out there getting ready to propose to your girlfriends - if you're stumped on how to make your proposal extra special, consider hiring a photographer (ME!) to capture it all on camera! Proposing and being proposed to is a once-in-a-lifetime thing for most people, so having pictures of the special occasion would be like icing on the cake! Guaranteed your girl will be surprised, thrilled and totally IN LOVE with you! I'm ready and willing for more secret proposal shoots. :)

Analee and Nate: Engagement

Analee and Nate are awesome. That's pretty much all there is to it. They're cute, sweet, laid-back, and you can just tell that they take good care of each other. Just awesome and IN LOVE!

Analee and I began communicating about wedding photography towards the end of the summer. As soon as I received her first email, I knew I knew her from somewhere - her name was so familiar! Analee and I grew up in the same town, but went to different schools so our paths never crossed. Until now. A friend referred her to me (thanks Kristina) and here we are - photographer and bride-to-be! I love it!

We met up for Analee and Nate's engagement session at Devil's Backbone Park near Hagerstown, MD. This first picture may be my favorite of the entire collection.

Nate is a HUGE North Carolina fan so you'll notice the Tarheels blanket and colors in a few pictures. I love when my couples bring props. :)

A little snuggle time in the Tarheels blanket.

Aaahhhh! You guys are so friggin' cute!

Another favorite.

A little vintage look to spice things up.

So I love to play with sun flare. After I discovered how to use it to my advantage during shoots, I try to rock it out all the time! During Analee and Nate's session, my rocking out of the sun flare was a great success!

Oh my goodness I am in love with these colors! I barely touched them in Photoshop.

Again, loving the colors!

Um, CUTENESS!

The vintage look is perfect for this little pose. So old-school-tough-on-the-playground, don't ya think?!

I love the colors in this one. Such beautiful skin.

Check out Analee and Nate in this one. They are SO into that kiss, aren't they? Haha. I love the passion, even if it wasn't on purpose. :)

Analee and Nate - I had such a wonderful time during your engagement session and I was so excited to finally meet you two! Your August wedding is going to be awesome and I cannot wait to be with you on your special day.

Kyley and Jake: Engagement

I met Kyley and Jake a few years ago when Brian moved to Hagerstown, MD. Kyley and Brian both work for the same company, and since she is so awesome, our friendship was bound to happen. Kyley and Jake now live in the same community as Brian and I, about ten doors down to be exact.

Kyley and Jake had been dating for about three years and she was itching to get engaged. When jake finally popped the question in Las Vegas, we were so excited! Right away, I offered my photog services for their engagement pictures. I am so glad they accepted!

We started at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro, PA. I scoped out the area beforehand so I knew exactly where I wanted to take them.

Definitely one of my favorites from the session.

LOVE how this one turned out.

When I saw this water fountain, I just knew Jake and Kyley would be the perfect couple to use it. I told them to splash water on each other and they did. It definitely helps to describe their personalities and relationship. They're fun!

Next stop: High Rock, MD. After Brian and I visited High Rock earlier in the summer, I was dying to get some engagement pictures there! I love the grafitti and all its colors.

Of course we had to have a little playful fun. Can you believe these two are getting married? Steelers vs. Cowboys. Not good. Made for good pictures, though. :)

Kyley and Jake: thank you so much for having me take your engagement pictures! You two were incredibly relaxed and totally go-with-the-flow. I cannot wait until your August wedding next year! It's going to be beautiful!

Katie and Rhet: Engagement

I had the privilege of taking engagement pictures for the fabulous (and I mean FABULOUS) Katie and Rhet. This beautiful couple received my information from a good friend, Brittany Higgins. She graciously referred Katie and Rhet to me and I am so thankful!

I spent 3.5 hours (yes, 3.5 hours!) with Katie and Rhet exploring the Antietam Battlefield and the city of Hagerstown. It was worth every minute. Check out these beautiful results! WARNING: lots of pictures and lots of FABULOUSNESS!

I love experimenting and trying new things when on a shoot so I was very happy with how this one turned out!

Katie and Rhet brought their new dog, Camedon, along for the shoot. What a great family photo!

Rhet is an amazing musician and singer. I was so glad he brought his guitar. Next album cover maybe?? :)

I was laying on the road to get this shot. Like I said, I like to try new things. :)

Change of clothes! Purple and yellow - amazingly awesome complimentary colors!

Their shoes were awesome!

Katie's friends Lacy and Bubba tagged along for part of the shoot. They helped keep Camedon entertained while I worked with Katie and Rhet. Thanks for being great helpers, Lacy and Bubba!

Finally! Railroad tracks for an engagement session!

Might be the cutest one of the bunch!

I love when a couple brings their own ideas and unique personalities to the shoot.

Check out that beautiful blue sky! We didn't allow a little darkness to stop us!

We were hoping to get some shots in the rain to add an extra element of surprise and attitude to the session. It wasn't raining that day so Katie and Rhet decided to bring their own "rain"...

I LOVE the light and color in this one. I didn't know night shots could be so cool!

Rhet wanted to try the "airplane" during the session. Don't you remember doing this with your parents, grandparents and babysitters back in the day? I do!

Gotta have a little fun. :)

Shortly after I gave Rhet their completed engagement lifestyle portrait collection CD, he texted me and was loving the pictures! Not too long after that Rhet texted me again and asked me to be their wedding photographer. I was soooo excited! Rhet and Katie are such a wonderful couple. I cannot wait to shoot their wedding!

Rhet and Katie - thank you so much for being up for anything, and for being just so plain fabulous!