Photographing surprise proposals never gets old for me. Josh’s unforgettable proposal to his high school sweetheart, Mayci, was another reminder of why I love what I do so much. From the very beginning, this one felt extra special—not only because of the thought Josh put into it, but also because of a wonderful connection to past clients.
Josh is the nephew of Jenny Yokoyama, one of my all-time favorite brides, whose beautiful wedding to Nate I had the privilege of photographing years ago. Jenny, now the owner of Gritty Gal Marketing, and I have continued to collaborate over the years. So being part of her nephew’s proposal made this experience even more meaningful.
Josh, Jenny, and I spent months planning every detail to ensure everything went off without a hitch. He chose the stunning avenue of crape myrtle trees draped in Spanish moss at Hampton Park specifically because Mayci loves trees and nature. This magical location perfectly set the tone for this very specail and romantic moment. I stayed tucked away, capturing everything as it naturally unfolded. When Josh dropped to one knee, Mayci was completely surprised—and overjoyed. Of course, she said yes!
Afterward, we explored the park together, creating relaxed, authentic engagement portraits. Towards the end, we zipped over to the nearby Brittlebank Park for a few final shots with the sun setting across the Ashley River.
It was such a joy getting to know these two soulmates…Josh, a hardworking roofer, and Mayci, a dedicated nurse. Josh absolutely nailed his mark, when he turned and dropped to his knee. Before Mayci knew what hit her, waves of disbelief and emotion took over! She was absolutely stunning in her bimini blue summer dress. These two are building an amazing life together in Greenville, SC.
Moments like these are exactly why I love what I do.
(Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 24-120 f4, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8 II, Nikkor Z 400 f4.5, Godox V860II off-camera flash, Manfrotto supports)
