t’s 10:00 in the morning. I’m in my car with coffee in hand, driving two and a half hours to a state park… to hide in the bushes. Yes, really. Greg is about to propose to Jesse, and my job is to secretly capture the moment.
Some photo sessions start calm and predictable. This one started with a little adventure.
About an hour before the proposal, Greg sent me a text. They were running a little behind. Not because of traffic. Not because they slept in. While visiting West Virginia, Greg and Jesse had decided to adopt a cat.
Honestly, that already tells you a lot about them. Spontaneous. Kind. A little bit chaotic in the best way.
When we arrived at the trail, I stayed back so they wouldn’t notice me. Greg and Jesse started hiking up toward the overlook where he planned to propose. I followed quietly behind, trying to look like a normal hiker who definitely was not hiding a camera.
Then things got interesting.
A group of frat boys came hiking down the trail. Half of them had their shirts off. They were loud and full of energy. As Greg and Jesse walked past them, the guys stopped and asked if they could take a picture together.
Of course they picked Greg.
So there was Greg, about to propose to the love of his life in a few minutes, suddenly holding a stranger’s phone and taking a group photo for a bunch of rowdy college guys on a hiking trail.
Jesse had no idea what was coming next.
We kept moving up the trail after that little moment. The path opened up at the top where large rocks and tall pine trees framed the view. It was quiet up there. The kind of peaceful spot that feels like it was made for big moments.
Greg walked Jesse out toward the rocks.
Then he dropped to one knee.
The look on Jesse’s face said everything. Total shock. Total joy. She covered her mouth and started to cry happy tears. Greg was emotional too. It was one of those moments where the world seems to slow down.
Jesse said yes.
We spent some time celebrating and taking photos at the top of the trail. Jessie was still in her hiking outfit with her Doc Martens on, which made the whole moment feel even more real and personal. Nothing fancy. Nothing staged. Just two people who were so excited to start the next chapter together.
The view behind them stretched across the hills, and the pine trees swayed in the breeze. It felt peaceful and full of life at the same time.
Then we started the hike back down.
Because every good story needs one more surprise, we had a tiny trail encounter on the way back. A small snake crossed the path right near us. It gave everyone a quick little jump before it slithered away into the woods.
Just another unexpected moment to add to a day that was already full of them.
From the surprise cat adoption to the frat boys on the trail to a snake saying hello on the way down, this proposal felt like a real life adventure.
Greg and Jesse handled every moment with laughter and excitement. That joy showed in every photo we captured.
Greg and Jesse, thank you for letting me be part of such a huge moment in your story. Watching the two of you celebrate at the top of that trail was something I will never forget.
These are the moments that remind me why I love what I do.
Thank you so very much for capturing these precious and stunningly beautiful moments. I am especially grateful to you, for that gorgeous boy Greg is my son. And I am so very far away back home in the UK. So to see these pictures makes me feel just a teeny tiny bit closer to sharing their joy, and being part of the journey. Beautiful photos, beautiful setting, beautiful story, and the most beautiful couple. I adore them both. Nina. X (Mum).
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