Some friendships just click—like puzzle pieces you didn’t even know were missing. That’s how it feels knowing Grace.
I first met her at the groom shop, where I was her dog groomer. Not long after, she discovered I was also a photographer, and reached out to me to capture her pregnancy reveal. Then came newborn/family photos with their beautiful baby girl, Miley!! Since then, we’ve shared so many sweet moments and stayed close. She’s truly become one of those rare friends who just gets you.
Fast forward to last week: I went out to their property to do updated family photos. Miley is now 11 months old, and Grace wanted to freeze this moment in time before her little girl officially turned one. I’d been dreaming out loud for months about doing a whimsical canoe couples session, and Grace was totally in. So we planned it…family photos first, followed by romantic canoe shots of her and Oscar on a pond.
Well, things didn’t exactly go according to plan. 🤣
I drove 30 minutes out to their place, excited for the evening… only to find out the canoe we planned to borrow fell through. No big deal…we pivoted and took beautiful family and couples photos in the grass near the pond. Still dreamy. Still sweet.
Now here’s where the story takes a turn.
Grace and Oscar have been together for like EVER. Naturally, an engagement had been on the horizon. Grace had quietly been hoping that MAYBE, just maybe, something magical might happen that night. It didn’t… but fate had something better in store.
As I was driving home from that session, my phone buzzed.
A text from Oscar.
“So you think canoe engagement pics could be a thing?”
My mouth DROPPED. Literal tears. Not just because it was finally happening, but because I got to be the one to capture it.
We planned a little “part two” of the session for later that week. Same outfits. Same location. But this time… there was a secret.
Oscar pulled through with the canoe. I climbed into a kayak on Grace’s aunt’s pond, camera ready and heart pounding. And right there, in the middle of the water, with the calmest golden light washing over them… he asked her to be his forever.
She said yes. 🥹💍
It was pure magic, and being trusted to photograph such a life-changing moment was an absolute honor. Grace and Oscar…THANK YOU X1000 for letting me be part of your love story. And Grace… thank you for being such a beautiful soul and friend.
Here’s to more sessions, more milestones, and a whole lot of love in canoes.
