Date Added
Thursday, April 29th, 2010
Posted In
Tagged
kentucky engagement photographer kentucky engagement photography KL Phy Photography louisville engagement photographer Louisville engagement photography louisville family photography Louisville Mini Marathon
Share
A surprise engagement proposal at the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon
I've wanted to shoot a surprise engagement proposal for a long time--what an amazing thing to capture! The suspense, the emotion, the tears, the happiness, all there to be documented in a completely candid, unscripted way. I never imagined that the opportunity would come from my very own brother! He explained his idea to me the last time he was in Louisville visiting, and I, um, selflessly volunteered to photograph the event. By selflessly, maybe I actually mean I insisted...whether they wanted me to or not :)
Michelle is really into running; she is a veteran of several marathons. David's idea was to present her with an engagement ring and proposal of marriage at the finish line of the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon this year. He contacted the necessary people, and arranged for us to have special access. While we were waiting there for her, I did a little running around and let everyone I could find from the media know what was about to happen. To see an incredibly touching video of the event, see the coverage the Courier Journal posted on their website here.
Since I had such a great spot behind the scenes at the finish, I was also excited for the opportunity to photograph the runners as they crossed. A dear friend of mine, who is also a runner, said that it might be neat to focus in on the runner's faces as they finished. What a great idea that was--I certainly wouldn't say they are the most flattering photographs, but I love all of the emotion and passion characterized there.
Overall, what an exciting and fun morning! I am so very happy for my little brother and Michelle. I can't believe our family is going to have a wedding! And holy cow, I'm going to have a sister! I think (hope) I've already got a photographer picked out for them too) :)
I absolutely loved having the opportunity to photograph this exciting event for my brother and soon to be sister-in-law. I am sure they will treasure these photographs as a document of this special time. And what a great way to really start your wedding photography coverage from the very beginning! For any guys out there planning something special and are thinking of having a photographer present, I have a great long lens and I'm good at hiding and being discreet, so she will never know I'm there during the actual proposal. And think how much fun it would be to continue the moment with a short engagement session, right when it is only minutes after being official! Nobody will have to fake the smiles or emotion at a session like that! :)
2 Comment to “A surprise engagement proposal at the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon”
Leave a Comment
Hey, Kathy
Just had a chance to read your write-up on David’s proposal event. Nicely done. And all the pictures you got of David/Michelle, the runners, the event workers, and the kiddos are really fantastic. I’ve saved the one of Wesley and Connor in my files and would like to post it in my facebook album “Friends/Family”. Excellent work, cutie!
Hi,
I just happened to be finishing the mini around the same time, and we were actually watching as this proposal happened…pretty crazy that I stumbled on this while researching wedding photographers for my own wedding this fall. Very great pictures!