Jessica and Mike // Cape Clear Surprise Engagement.

Months ago, I received a text from Mike. He wanted to do family photos, but with a twist. He wanted to pop the question to Jessica half way through. Better yet, let’s do it at the top of a mountain.

Photograph a surprise engagement At Cape Clear in Cape breton? like I could say no, right?

I was so friggin’ excited for this one. I met them at Lake O’Law Provincial Park. The weather was crappy and dull but we were just happy to be there. I was a bit more excited. Surprises are always fun when you’re ‘in the know’ yanno? We took some standard family shots. I was really happy I had brought my strobes with me. It was getting dark quick and everything was flat. I’ve been learning more and more about off-camera flash after years of being afraid of it. We acted quickly. We had a few locations to visit in a short period of time.

Here’s the big issue though: Mike and I didn’t talk about “a signal” or how he was going to do it. Stupid, I know. I was terrified to blow it so I didn’t ask. I just trusted that I would have my camera ready and everything would come together. I tried to facilitate it as best I could secretly, using eye contact haha it worked out pretty well in the end.

That said; I still shit bricks.

This was the second engagement I’d photographed. The first was just as stressful and just as unscripted. It worked out fine.

I love a good mama/baby (not so baby) snuggle.

We finally made it to the top. It takes about 45 minutes to get up there. Originally, Mike and I planned on having perfect sunset timing. There wasn’t a sunset. It was just grey and windy, but still very pretty.

When there are three family members, you can only make so many photos. It was time to get the ball rolling. Joshua was instructed to head back to the truck. He said he was going to get his coat, but he actually had to grab the ring. As he was walking back, he stopped next to me. He was trying to fit the ring box in his jeans which were a tight fit. It wasn’t going well. He had to act fast before he was figured out. At the very last second, he managed to wedge the box into his pocket. He made his way next to Mike for another photo to pass him the ring and at the exact same time, a gust of wind came and knocked over my soft box, knocking it over and nearly over the edge to fall hundreds of metres to the bottom. How many times am I going to ‘shit bricks’ on this shoot? Even though that part wasn’t planned, it was a great diversion. The ring was in the right hands now. Let’s get to the final step.

“Okay, Mike and Jessica - let’s get a shot of you guys up here. I think this is the last one!”

After a few quick profanities, Jessica said ‘yes’ and we popped some champagne to celebrate. It was a really, really cool moment to be a part of and I’m so glad I was there.