Surprise proposals

surprise Yellowstone Park proposal

I got a call from a gentleman named Shawn a few weeks back and he told me that he wanted to give his lady “the most beautiful proposal in the world” during their visit to Yellowstone! So we began the process. Maps, photos, conversations, location decisions, logistics and timing… It takes quite a bit of planning to pull off a secret proposal when the couple and I are coming from different locations near Yellowstone. When you’re in Yellowstone there is very little if any cell service, so everything has to be nailed down in advance, and the you hope and pray we don’t have a “bison traffic jam”, or an auto accident that stops traffic in it’s tracks!

The weather was great and the light was beautiful as I was headed toward the trailhead when I saw Shawn and Felicia just getting out of their vehicle, so I knew everything was a ‘GO’! I took to the mile long trail down to the location and found the viewing platform nearly empty with only a few onlookers. Then the fireworks began!!!

Seeing this huge strong man melt in his shoes as he poured his heart out to his companion was very moving! He INDEED gave her the most beautiful proposal of marriage! Her reaction was so amazing. She just melted closely into him with comfort, joy and acceptance.

After all the celebration we took to the trail and off we went to several other locations for photos with smiles, laughs and tears of joy! YEP, that was my day at the studio. Oh God, I love my job!

Enjoy the view!

Congratulation to Shawn and Felicia!!!

Yellowstone proposal in Spring!

Last Friday Ryan surprised the love of his life with a proposal in Yellowstone National Park. The lookout over Yellowstone Falls was quite busy early for 9:30 in the morning, but that didn’t stop Ryan from negotiating his space in front of the railing with the amazing rainbow display that was occurring below! Leslie was visually surprised and moved to tears of joy! Those that were present cheered heartily and congratulated the couple, many taking time to chat and share their own stories!

We hiked out of the canyon and proceeded to another scenic, wide open location beside the Yellowstone River and then upward onto a bench above in the Hayden valley. We finished with a quiet moment by the river with some ice cold celebratory bubbly served in Montana style champagne glasses, aka (Ball canning jars) !!! I love spending my mornings like this!!!

Enjoy the view!

Yellowstone National Park

Every year I have the opportunity to photograph with clients that travel from all around the country to Yellowstone National Park. Weddings, elopements, Yellowstone surprise proposals and even photographic mini tours with the Yogatography workshop in the fall that I collaborate and teach with my dear friend Margaret Burns Vap of Big Sky Yoga Retreats.

Yesterday my wife Heather and I took sometime for ourselves to investigate, hike a little and take in the immensity of this super natural place. Most of the park is still closed for the winter, but soon the snow plows will be at work clearing the way for the spring opening and summer visitors!

Enjoy this brief glimpse into the northern tip of Yellowstone National Park. From the plains below Mt Everts, to The Forces of the Northern Range area and finally the other worldly, supernatural Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces … it is a magical place!

Enjoy the view!

Heather’s elation pretty much sums it up!

Yellowstone Park proposal

Harsh Vedant Kumar contacted me on short notice to see if I could meet he and his ‘wife to be’ unbeknownst to her, in the Lamar Valley. They were traveling here from Atlanta to see Yellowstone Park in the winter and Harsh was planning a GRAND SURPRISE! So I made a plan and pinpointed some scenic places we could potentially meet, then spoke with Harsh upon his arrival in Bozeman to coordinate our location and timing.

At this time of year many of the visitors to the park are photographers that are hoping to capture images of the wolfs and other wildlife. That made me a fairly normal person to see hanging around with cameras around my neck, and etc.

When I arrived they had gotten to the designated location a bit earlier than planned. So I grabbed my cameras and wondered out onto the snow covered boardwalk taking in the view and made some friendly ‘stranger’ small talk. Then Harsh pull the ring box out of his heavy coat and knelt before his lovely companion. Niru was overcome with tears of joy and then quick and repetitive “Yes, yes, yes, yes!!!” filled the air. ANOTHER GREAT SURPRISE IN YELLOWSONE PARK!

As the sun appeared and disappeared from behind the low lying clouds we drove to a few scenic places and captured some magical memories.

And one more detail, Harsh was so thoughtful that he secreted a few dresses from Niru’s bag at the hotel knowing that she might want some images in other than winter coats and snow pants. Good work Harsh!!!

Enjoy the view!

And then I pulled some well chilled bubbly out of my trunk and toasted to their long and happy life together. In Mason jars… of course!

Surprise Proposal at the B Bar Ranch

Right after Christmas I received an inquiry from a young gentleman that was planning a trip with his girl friend Emily to the gorgeous B Bar Ranch in Tom Miner Basin. The B Bar Ranch has been the favorite vacation place of Emily’s family for nearly 30 years. I spoke to Jose shortly after his first inquiry and we created a master plan for the surprise proposal on the cross country ski area at the ranch.

A few weeks ago I took a drive to the ranch to check out the lay of the land and find the most scenic place for the proposal. I found an overlook where skiers and hikers often stop to take in the magnificent view of the valley below and the peaks that rise upward to the sky. STUNNING! I sent images to Jose for approval and we had ourselves a plan!

I was to pretend to be a magazine photographer on the property making images for an upcoming piece. That’s the best excuse I could come up with! Working with Trina the resident manager, we crafted the ruse.

Yesterday was sunny and cold with just a slight breeze. I hiked in about a mile and set up in my position, shooting a bit and taking in the view while lying in wait of my subjects. Soon they came down the hill to the look out. As they skied by, I made friendly small talk about the moose that I had been watching below (which was true). I think she bought that for about the first 5 minutes and then Jose made his move. It was very, very sweet!

Afterwards, we ran around the ranch a bit making images in places meaningful to Emily. Then sunset found us in a field above Paradise Valley with their dog Myka… soon to be unexpectedly joined by the resident herd of horses for the grand finale images.

At that point the sub freezing temps took their toll… I could no longer feel my fingers and called it a day. A really good day!!!

God knows, I love this job! Enjoy the view.

Cheers to the newly engaged Jose, Emily and Myka!
This is me, loving every minute of this magical day!

December surprise proposal in Paradise Valley

Travis called me last week and inquired about my surprise proposal photography. The funny thing is, I was sitting in my car in Bozeman during a snow storm when I took his call. I was counting down the minutes before I hiked up the hill to lie in wait for my last secret assignment. Fast forward one week to the day and here we go again.

This event was every bit as much of a surprise. Madison’s reaction was priceless… it was ‘shock and awe’ all over again. The location was spectacular with the mountainous backdrop behind the Sage Lodge . Then we hit the road and roamed around the Paradise Valley making images of the moments they will never forget. The evening was complete with a gorgeous sunset on a perch below the peaks at Chico Hot Springs resort!

Cheers to love! Cheers to Travis and Madison!!!

Here’s the way it went down!