About a month ago, I received the greatest email a photographer could ever receive. EVER. Mark (also a photographer here in Canberra) emailed me to say that he was going to propose to Allison, his beautiful girlfriend of four years – and he wanted me to document it.
I blinked a few times in disbelief. When it all sunk in, I jumped up and down and shouted with glee. And then I read the PS: “Keep it on the DL, yo!” The DL??! Clearly Mark didn’t know who he was talking to – I love sharing stories… especially love stories. If you ask me how Clinton and I met, I’m your friend for life. It has been four long weeks, people. I couldn’t tell a soul. And today is the day that I can finally share with you The Secret. IN FULL DETAIL!!!!!
We shared many phone calls and emails, trying to plan the details of the session. Being a romantic guy, Mark had most of it all planned out. All I needed to do was show up at this magnificent property (just located outside of Canberra) and pretend it was just another ordinary “anytime” session. That was the hard part. I saw Allison (who I’d never met before) in the parking lot and right away I teared up. I knew I’d give it all away so avoided eye contact as much as possible. We walked around the beautiful farm for about thirty minutes, photographing here, there, everywhere.
The idea was for us to wander around so that Mark could scope out the whole place to see where he wanted to propose. When found, the cue was supposed to be: “I really love this spot – it’s beautiful!” Instead, being the impulsive romantic that he is, he spotted a canoe and said, “Wow. I really like that boat.” And me, being on Cloud Nine and not really much for improvisations, heard him say it three times before I muttered to myself: “OKAY Mark, I get it. You like the boat. Geez.” And then it dawned on me. “Ooooooooh. You LIKE the boat?” (I’m sure I was reeeeeal obvious there.)
So off on the canoe they went. And from afar, looking like a pervy lurker, I photographed them laughing. Loving. Paddling. And then he gave the oars to Allison. Reached into his pocket. Pulled out the beautiful gorgeous 46 diamond sparkler. And asked his love to marry him. She cried. I cried. And when it seemed like enough ‘private time’ had passed (probably about 10 seconds), I yelled, “CONGRATS GUYS!!! Wait – did she say YES??!”
She did. And this is their story: 
Where the magical moment happened…. 
