Trevor and Kayla are huge National Olympic Parks lovers, and they planned a spring break trip here to the Olympic Peninsula. Kayla is a first grade teacher and loves the outdoors! The one thing Kayla wasn't aware being planned was her surprise proposal! Trevor respectfully asked for permission to take her hand in marriage, and was granted! He packed the ring, planned the perfect agenda for his beautiful girlfriend on our gorgeous peninsula, hired a photographer to capture it all, rented the car, and they loaded the plane. While on the plane, Trevor and I were texting back and forth getting all the details lined up for Sunday! Neither one had ever been to the peninsula before so he asked for some locations ideas that had gorgeous mountain views. Kayla especially loves mountains and water. I gave him a list to browse while flying into Seattle. Trevor loved a couple different locations, and the Devil's Punch Bowl off the Spruce Railroad Trail is where he chose. Great Choice!!
Trevor and Kayla are both from Kentucky and met in high school at fifteen, but didn't attend the same school. Thanks to mutual friends, these two became a forever couple. They started dating and shared their first kiss with each other at the age of fifteen, and have now been together for ten years, and counting. The energy between these two is so sweet, loving, and happy! I was around them for less than five minutes and strongly felt their incredible bond...simply undeniable!
Sunday morning now, Trevor and I are texting about final details. I drive up to Lake Crescent a bit early with my family to check the trail out. Much of the trail is dark, so if the day is too cloudy our options really slim down. With a surprise proposal I like to map it out for the one proposing. It makes for much better photos!! My family usually never comes with me on my shoots, but this shoot was unique. There aren't many places at the Devil's Punch Bowl to hide and take pictures, so they were my fake "family" shoot. I was shooting the fake family shoot while the couple walked onto the bridge, then I would turn the camera onto the couple. I have the fake family placed, so I am also in a good position to shoot the proposal. I see Trevor come around the corner and my heart is pounding! I get just as excited! Unfortunately he had to wait for a long moment for a viewer to exit the bridge. I am sure it was seconds, but felt like forever! She finally exits and Trevor guides Kayla to walk onto the bridge. I am trying to snap a couple of them "setting up", without Kayla realizing what is going on. Trevor is getting the ring and getting down on his knee. I have no idea how he is getting Kayla to stare out at the lake without turning around!! Finally he says her name, she slowly turns around and it happens. I am shooting them with tears rolling down my face while feeling all the love. This proposal was so thoughtfully thought out, and the backdrop was picturesque!
I believe Kayla said to me once all was done was, "I thought, how nice she is taking pictures. I wonder if she will email them to us.". I laughed and said you get all the pictures and we are going to go around taking more!!
Soon, they will be sharing their first kiss again, as Mr. and Mrs.. Thank you Trevor for choosing me to capture this amazing milestone for the both of you!!!
Welcome to the FAB family Trevor and Kayla! Whenever you're back on the peninsula, stop and say hi!!
CONGRATS!