Surprise proposals

Yellowstone river surprise proposal

Proposing marriage on the Yellowstone River is magic!

This week on the Yellowstone River, Matt and his family pulled off the most fantastic surprise wedding proposal! Several weeks ago, Amy the mother of the groom contacted me, for ideas and seeking help to ‘somehow’ create and photograph the surprise proposal for her son Matt to Sydney, her future daughter in law. They were planning a family vacation here in Paradise Valley and Sydney, Matt’s girlfriend of 6 years was coming along. So the planning, scheming and brainstorming began!

It was a complicated equation to find a way to pull this off! ‘Long story short’… we hired a sight seeing guide to meet the couple in the morning and take them to a trail along the Yellowstone where Matt’s family, and also the Mother and sister of the bride that flew in to accompany the family entourage for this amazing occasion. And… I’d be there to capture the surprise!

I had searched and found a public place along the river where the family could hide amongst trees and bushes as I played the part of a local photographer that just happened to be set up along the riverside with my long lens and tripod photographing the Sandhill Cranes that come back to Montana in the early spring. Sure enough the cranes were dancing and cackling in the field adjacent the river when I arrived.

Everything went off without a hitch. The couple were guided down to the planned location on the river’s edge and in short order, Matt proceeded to propose to his beloved. Then… the family broke their cover and ran out to cheer! It was quite the surprise, definitely one for the books!

It was a gorgeous day and a remarkable proposal! Enjoy the view!

Yellowstone Park Surprise Proposals

Once again, hope springs eternal. Hope is real in our world today, regardless of the ebb and flow of the circumstances, karma, politics and human conditions. Love finds a foot hold in the moment. Love… it is our greatest hope.

In Yellowstone, the world around you is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Our first national park is a marvel to behold. Visiting Yellowstone is like stepping into another world. And… to propose marriage to your partner on this hallowed ground is an indescribable experience. I have witnessed and photographed dozen(s) of proposals over the last 3 or 4 years and it inspires me every single time. Here’s a collection of moments from a handful of recent proposals that I had the honor of surreptitiously capturing.

Watch the slideshow below.

Interested? I can help you fulfill this dream and capture the moments in images that you will treasure for a life time. I have scouted out many scenic locations that are easily found and accessible. All couples are welcomed.

Yellowstone Park opens in the middle of May. I’d love to speak with you about your plans and capture your surprise proposal or photograph your engagement or elopement.

Larry

One of my favorite little streams that begs being dipped into!

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!