A few days before this very Friday that Jacob proposed to Kaylea, he gave me a call and asked if I’d be available. We came up with a plan that Johnny and I would set up a picnic at this overlook that Jacob chose and wait for him to show up with Kaylea. The day before, I drove up to the overlook on Skyline Drive to give it a look at the same time that Jacob was going to be proposing the next day. I took photos and sent them to him so that he could pick a general area where he’d pop the question so that I’d know where to set up.

Then, the day came and Johnny and I went up there VERY early, set up our picnic, and waited. There were a lot of people showing up at this spot because there was a forest fire on the opposite side of the valley, so Rangers and other photographers were popping up - asking us two weirdos with the picnic facing the smoke “watching the fire, eh?”

We were a little worried that it would be super busy, but right before Jacob and Kaylea showed up, the crowd died down.

As soon as he popped the question, we went right into a little photoshoot. It was the absolute best, because the two of them could not stop smiling. I asked Jacob what else he had planned for the day, because leading up to showing up on the mountain they had stopped at other memorable places - he said he had more plans, but he couldn’t tell me because they were still a surprise for her.

If you’re thinking of proposing this holiday season and want it photographed (I promise your love wants it photographed too) Johnny and I are here! We loved our chilly little picnic and scheming together. Johnny even took a few of these pictures too (:

Blue Ridge Mountain Proposal - Shenandoah National Park Proposal - Surprise Proposal Photographer - Virginia Proposal Photographer - Proposal and Photo Shoot Inspiration - White Sails Creative_1.jpg

If the day of your photo shoot is calling for rain or thick fog, here is your inspiration to not postpone. Rainy days are the most romantic. It means you get to snuggle extra, and who doesn’t think of every rain scene in a movie? Admit it, you’ve always wanted to make out in the rain.

Even though we missed out on a colorful sunrise (fingers crossed for one on their wedding day this fall!) it was stunning with the colors Sarah and Peyton chose for their outfits, because they stood out so much against the fog in colors that matched a sunrise. Shenandoah National Park is known for its views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but it’s also wildly famous for the autumn leaves, which makes the Park incredible busy during the fall - BUT, because of the rain and fog, we had the entire Park to ourselves and the fog only made the leaves stand out more! It was a win, win, win, win, win.

Always going to be grateful that they trusted that the rain and fog would only make their engagement session more fun.