Just a Photoshoot: Megan and Mike's Proposal

Proposals

Feb 25

I think anyone can appreciate when their beloved knows them and takes pains to make sure they are happy with the outcome of an adventure.

Now, Mike knew he wanted to commemorate his proposal to Megan with photographs. And so did everyone else back at home. It is a very typical scenario - the family waves the happy couple off to their vacation in the Smokies, all knowing that a marriage proposal is to happen . . . except, of course, She To Whom the Proposal Shall Be Extended.

As it should be.

But Mike also knew that Megan would want to look her best if any camera were to be pointed in her direction. That’s hardly the stuff of, “Oh, let’s go see some deer” or “Why don’t we take a lovely hike?” Instead, Mike told Megan: “You know, my parents always wanted to see Cades Cove, so they bought us a photo shoot with a local photographer. Just for fun.”

Okay, so Megan thought it odd at first. She and Mike had just done photos together for Christmas a few months ago. But this was a new setting and his parents are kind and gracious folk, so . . . okay.

But Mike knows his Megan, and as he told me, he knew she would want to know the name of the photographer, do they have an Instagram, what is their their website, and other other information. Uh-oh. The problem was if Megan were to look at MY social media, she would see a lot of proposals and weddings. The stuff of a good tip off that something different was on the horizon than just a photoshoot.

So, I contacted my dear friend, Tammy Lee of Tamlin Photography (Monroe County’s leading senior portraitist) and asked her if she could be a decoy - Mike would tell Megan that she was the photographer. That way, Megan would see smiling seniors instead of a lot of bended knee. Tammy agreed, so now Mike and I had the ruse in place. And Mike was right - Megan did do her research and left unsuspecting (albeit confused as to why they were using a senior photographer, but whatever . . .).

I met them at the gate to Cades Cove and off we went, first stopping at Sparks Lane for some shots.

Mike knew that at the next stop I would set them up “for a wide angle shot,” allowing me to get the camera set up for a video. And after doing that, I gave him the agreed upon signal: “Okay, Mike - I GOT THE SHOT!”
And then this happened: