By Jonathan Ment
Bill and Laura’s session happened on short notice and I was stoked to be able to make it happen on this tight timetable.
When you’re planning to propose to the person that you love, you have a lot on your mind. If you’re planning to have that moment photographed, hiring a photographer who has been there more than a few times before means there’s less for you to think about.
Of course that doesn’t mean your surprise proposal session will be without surprises for you and the photographer.
Bill had bought the ring and planned to ask Laura to marry him at Kaaterskill Falls near Hunter, a setting I have come to know rather well in recent years. Bill hadn’t been here in a while and the area he was familiar with had changed a bit. The parking lot he remembered no longer existed. The trail he and Laura had taken years earlier would be almost impassable.
When we started communicating about his plans, I made a few suggestions about where and when might make the most sense. He asked very smart questions about potential crowds and ground conditions.
How icy would the trail likely be? In the middle of winter the whole scene could certainly become a slippery one.
Would regular winter boots be enough? They would have to be, wouldn’t they!
Could we count or privacy or was the area prone to crowds as he remembered.
I have pretty good weather luck here in this part of the Catskills, and the session date was no exception, but In the Hunter Mountain area, the days leading up to Bill’s proposal had seen temperate days in the 40s and nights in the single digits.
Ice seemed likely in spots due to the shady nature of the approach to the Kaaterskill Falls overlook, but winter boots and patience would likely be enough to tackle it.
Arriving at the parking lot with time to spare to get a spot and to survey the surroundings, I was a bit surprised at just how icy the conditions were. I had allowed enough time (as I always do) to hike down to the agreed upon spot to ambush this beautiful couple well ahead of their estimated arrival. A few yards down the trail (in cleats) taking care to protect myself and my camera bag, I was relieved to find the ground cleared. A few more yards and other visitors were sliding toward the edge.
My greatest fear, Bill or Laura might have slip and twist an ankle before we met at the falls!
Thankfully, that didn’t happen.
Crowds were more likely in the afternoon, I told him, but I have learned folks tend to stop by the observation platform, take a few photos and selfies, then move on quickly.
When the wind is blowing with gusts I’m sure were pushing 50 mph as they were on this day, you’re assured it’s just a matter of moments before you’ll have the place to yourself for the proposal and additional pictures.
Bill suggested the simplest of scenarios. I could be there photographing nature and ask if I could take their picture. He would bend a knee, I confirmed.
I worked this over in my head and planned to ask if I might take their picture ‘for scale’ as nobody would believe the size of Kaaterskill Falls without human subjects.
While I waited, I took a few test frames of others and then tucked my main camera inside my coat to make sure the batteries would not freeze!
When Bill and Laura arrived, I exchanged a quick glance with Bill as they moved toward the rail to take in the falls in their winter beauty. I made a little small talk to break the ice and was glancing toward the falls about to ask if I might take that photo when … woah! Bill is down on a bended knee.
(He’d forgotten the plan, he said later as we worked, walked and talked. We laughed. Me, thankful for my experience.)
Luckily there was nobody else on the platform at that moment and as time stood still for an instant I captured the pictures we wanted. I heard the next wave of visitors applauding as they slid down the trail toward us.
Every time I’ve photographed a proposal with a beautiful backdrop where the couple and I weren’t the only ones around, folks have applauded. Who doesn’t love ‘love?’
After the ask, the ring, and the ‘yes!’, and a few minutes for the couple to bask in their love, we took more pictures in the vicinity.
An unintended benefit of all that treacherous ice was that it acted a bit like a reflector or ‘bounce’ for the natural light. I rarely work with an assistant, so nature offering a helping hand was a welcome bonus.
Great people, great session, great views and great fun.
Planning a surprise of any kind and want photography. I’d like to hear about your plans and offer my services to help make everything come together smooth as ice!
Email or text (845) 845 430 4030 to get started, or simply dial that phone to chat.
Jonathan Ment Photography
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Jonathan Ment Photography 