Sometimes clients speak for themselves.
“Jonathan took our engagement photos, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. He has a great eye for detail and knows exactly what shots will look best. He was very responsive, easy to communicate with, and made us feel comfortable throughout the session, Elijah.”
But if you know me, you know that there is always more to say.
As elaborate as this incredible proposal session would turn out to be, with an event planner and an influencer in tow, it all came together rather quickly and on short notice!
Plus, while the end result resembled polished planning, it bore little resemblance to initial plans.
When I heard from Zach about his ideas for the proposal, he suggested it would mean a lot to Elijah if it took place along the route of a modest hike and with fall foliage!
Hikes, whether resembling more of a walk, or an actual multi-hour hike, are easy to plan in the Catskills, from treks along the Windham Path to peak-grabbing visits to Windham High Peak.
Late October hikes with few leaves and even less with the hoped for colors, that’s a little tougher to plan for.
Zach had an idea to shoot right in the vicinity of their accommodations. Upon scouting the location ahead of time, I realized that this wouldn’t necessarily be a sure thing and I set to work coming up with alternative spots.
I had fun in the days leading up to this proposal trying to find something that fit the bill and in the process, discovered a little ‘nature preserve’ that I didn’t even know was practically under foot. Tuck that away as an option for future shoots.
Enter the influencer. Zach connected with @CraigintheCatskills , a real estate broker/traveler on Instagram and embraced a totally different direction for the event, an ‘earth-to-glass’ distillery known as Klocke Estate. Ch-ch-ch-changes…
No longer would I be simply strolling along a path as nature photographer.
With roughly 48 hours to go, I’d be exploring the planned rows of vineyard and apple orchard supporting brandy and vermouth production atop an almost otherworldly destination.
Once at the site, Zach and I made eye contact while he and Elijah enjoyed a lite bite before their private distillery tour. After the couple moved along and before our “chance” meeting, I perambulated toward the orchard to stake out the various options and angles at our disposal. Color, a bit; views, some; light; challenging.
But like the man said, I know what shots will look best.
To be fair, that refers more to the planned portraits taken after the actual proposal. In the heat of the moment, my job as photographer is to be ready for the “moment”. Zach dropped to his knee and produced the ring from a pocket for which I needed to be both inconspicuous and conspicuously present and ready all at once.
Pointing my lens toward the sunset with high-contrast subjects in high contrast attire (challenging!), no worries – this isn’t my first rodeo.
Love knows no photographic limitations.
This was the first session I can think off with a planned ‘crasher’ arriving to share in the moment and honestly, I don’t think it would have been the same with out Craig and his other half there to buttress the moment. This was a lot of fun and a memorable experience.
In Claverack, Klocke’s planner/manager Katie was fabulous, checking in with me while our subjects moved through their planned activities and ultimately bringing provisions for an elegant toast once the deed was done.
This was a fun and fantastic way for this photographer to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Looking for a photographer that can roll up hill or down to accommodate your spur of the moment plans? I may be your man!
Let’s chat.
Email or text (845) 845 430 4030 to get started, or simply dial that phone.
Jonathan Ment Photography
You can find, follow and like Jonathan Ment Photography on Facebook and at www.catskillsphotographer.com
Jonathan Ment Photography 