This surprise engagement shoot is one of my most cherished to date. Mariah and I have been friends for several years now, we both went to SVSU for art. She was just a couple of years behind me. In 2019 we got together to swap grad photos and headshots, and after the COVID 19 debacle, I started having Mariah second shoot at weddings with me. She is incredible at capturing the in-between and intimate moments. So there was never any doubt in my mind that I would be capturing this intimate moment for her.
One thing Mariah and I definitely have in common is our obsession with planning. When we recently traveled to Ireland together for a photo retreat, we had an entire itinerary planned out at least a full month before the actual trip. So of course, she had been planning her future wedding, even before she became engaged. One night during a layover in Paris, she showed me an entire PowerPoint of her future wedding inspo, little did she know, that dream of hers would soon turn into a reality!
Mariah and Clayton have been together for 6 years now, they own a home, and have 3 Weiner dogs (peep pep_weenies on IG). They went ring shopping as a date in March to Brilliant Earth, and had a beautiful custom Moissanite ring picked out. The next day, Clay went back to purchase said ring. Once he had the ring, he was planning the surprise engagement on their 6 Year anniversary trip to Mackinac Island on Memorial Day weekend. Mariah was constantly texting me to make sure that Clay would ask me to photograph the moment, so I started bugging him in April. It was my duty as her friend to help get this moment absolutely perfect.
Clay and I picked a time, and I hid on the Island. Mariah had a feeling something was up, she picked out a beautiful dress and got her nails done, as all suspecting future fiancés do, and again made an entire itinerary for their trip. She had no idea I was hiding in a tree while Clay was stalling and taking selfies because we didn't get the location exact.
My husband, Scott, got a video of the entire surprise engagement, as I am snapping away, falling on rocks along the beach. Of course Mariah said yes, and then turns around to see me and instantly yells “YOU LIAR!” because only a few hours earlier I informed her it was a chore day at my house, which is two hours away from Mackinac Island. We then had the opportunity to turn the surprise engagement into a photoshoot along the beach. I absolutely loved watching Mariah and Clay facetime with their families to share their wonderful news. It is an honor to photograph a surprise engagement, although when it’s your friend you’ve been keeping a secret from for over a month it's even more rewarding.
Are you ready to book your surprise engagement shoot with me?
Lets get you booked!
You can view the rest of this Mariah and Clayton's surprise engagement below
Comments