I'm fortunate to have a job that allows me to witness and capture some pretty important moments in people's lives - I get to do it a lot, it doesn't get old, nor does the significance fade. But this shoot reminded me of just what an amazing job this really is. Chad, a close friend and fellow wedding photographer asked me to shoot his actual proposal. He planned on proposing at a spot that had his favorite view of the Chicago skyline (being a wedding photographer he knew a thing or two about good locations for photos). The evening before we went out to scout the actual spot, test my hiding place, and go over the final details. Bitter cold, horizontal rain, and massive waves crashing over the spot forced us to turn back before verifying the actual place. We decided on a contingency plan in case the weather was the following evening - I would have to make the call at the last minute when I got out there.
I bundled up, put my gear in its rain covers and headed out. When I got there I met up with a Mehran, a flamenco guitar player that would be playing for them. The weather was a little calmer than the night before, nonetheless there was the occasional wave that crashed over the long pier we had to wait on, and they would have to walk out on. It was time to send the final text message announcing if we were going for the main or alternate location. On one hand the original location was more dramatic, offered better concealment, and most importantly was the spot he had originally envisioned. On the other hand they would have to walk much further into the wind and cold, and the huge waves from the night before didn't seem entirely out of place. What if one crashed at the worst possible time and drenched us all? What it if it washed the ring out of his hand? What if it washed one of us into the lake? (Years of dealing with irreplaceable images have left me the ability to easily imagine the worst possible scenarios.)
The wind seemed to die down ever so slightly, and the tumultuous water seemed to stay mostly below the pier so I sent the coded text message indicating we were going to the original location. As if on cue to make me doubt my decision a giant wave crashed over the pier and soaked Mehran and me, but it was too late they were all ready on their way out. I'll let photos tell the rest of the story:
No waves crashed, a ring was exchanged, and though I couldn't hear them talking I assumed there was a "yes" said before they hurried back to the warmth of his car and continued his carefully planned evening.
Right before leaving I also snapped this photo of Mehran walking back along the lakeshore. He played long after his fingers were numb. Though I know he probably doesn't normally sit out in storms playing his guitar as waves crash over him, he is to me, nonetheless, an icon of a dedicated artist. The sounds of his guitar on that windy evening is the other beautiful memory I hold dear from that night.
BEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: Monica Z | January 05, 2010 at 11:31 PM
These are the most amazing proposal shots I ever seen! Absolutely amazing!
Posted by: Kelly Segre | January 05, 2010 at 11:49 PM
great capture guys!!
Posted by: mili ghosh | January 06, 2010 at 02:08 AM
These are amazing....so dramatic! I'm sure they'll treasure them forever.
Posted by: Jill Myers | January 06, 2010 at 06:25 AM
What a wonderful story and the photos are truly amazing!
Posted by: Jessica | January 06, 2010 at 07:09 AM
What a great story! Beautiful photos! Love to both of you.
Posted by: Melanie | January 06, 2010 at 07:48 AM
Amazing David! What an experience, and what lovely images you where able to take. Lovely!
Posted by: Emiliano H. | January 06, 2010 at 07:52 AM
Just lovely. Great work!
Posted by: Gina DeConti | January 06, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Love them! So perfect Chicago with the umbrella blown inside out on top of everything else! (waves, city, walkway, etc)
Posted by: Lisa Stein | January 06, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Can't believe they could even hear the guitar! (just read the type). What a pj braving the elements!!!! Great job and beautiful pics!
Posted by: Lisa Stein | January 06, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Magical Images Dave, Great story.
What would we do with out our text messages and cell phones these days.
Back in the day all we had were smoke signals.
Posted by: Monty Jessop | January 06, 2010 at 05:26 PM
What location were you shooting from?
Posted by: Kasia | January 06, 2010 at 08:49 PM
Just amazing, what a great moment to have captured forever and killer images of that special moment.
Posted by: Tracy Autem | January 06, 2010 at 09:30 PM
Perfection!
Posted by: Tina Carter | January 07, 2010 at 01:34 PM
These are pretty. Love the colours! You are braver than I to be out there in the waves! :)
Congrats to Chad!
Posted by: Olivia Leigh | January 07, 2010 at 04:25 PM
Incredible!
Posted by: Annie | January 08, 2010 at 04:15 PM
These are fantastic David! Incredibly romantic. :-)
Posted by: Chelsea Nicole | January 08, 2010 at 04:18 PM
I clicked on this link through www.stylemepretty.com & couldn't agree more with the all of the other comments! The photos are so romantic & gorgeous, the couple is so lucky to have them. I wish my engagement had been shot like this!
Posted by: SLP | January 08, 2010 at 04:39 PM
Incredible. Tear-jerking.
Posted by: Courtney | January 08, 2010 at 05:42 PM
These are absolutely stunning.
Posted by: sheri tennison berg | January 19, 2010 at 06:35 PM
These images are tell their story. You did an excellent job!
Posted by: Joshua Dwain | January 22, 2010 at 03:25 PM