Photographing Josiah and Chloe’s Proposal Under the Stars in the Heart of Texas
There’s something undeniably magical about photographing a proposal, especially when it takes place in a setting as breathtaking as the middle of nowhere in Texas. lol. The vastness of the landscape, the quiet stillness, and the canopy of stars create the perfect backdrop for a moment to remember for a lifetime.
The Setting: Texas Night Sky
Texas is known for its wide-open spaces, making it the perfect place to have a cute star gazing date. Josiah chose his families farm to propose to Chloe because of its connection to his childhood and of course, the perfect location to see the stars. He wanted to share a piece of his past with her, a place that had shaped him and held so many memories. It was also the perfect place to get lost in the beauty of the universe, both literally and metaphorically, as they prepared to take this next step together.
The Proposal: Under the Stars
After some time spent stargazing through a telescope, he then led her around the house where he had his proposal setup with a round arch draped in white tulle and string lights. Under the stars, in the stillness of the Texas night, he got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him.
Capturing the Moment: Tips and Techniques
Now for all my fellow photog friends. Photographing a proposal like this can be kind of tricky. Here’s how I approached it:
1. Embrace the Low Light:
- To capture this proposal under the stars, I used my 85mm lens with a wide aperture f/1.4 to let in as much light as possible. I also set my ISO higher than usual, literally 4000-5000 (she was real high). I also brought my lightsaber light. (That is absolutely not what it is called, but it is what I call it. lol). I decided to prop it up right in front of where the proposal was going to take place. I did not want Josiah and Chloe to only be back lit so this was perfect. This light can be controlled on your phone so I could turn it on while hiding behind a tree. I wanted to avoid a flash to stay hidden as long as possible.
2. The Right Timing:
- Timing is everything. Josiah and I walked through the plan a few times when we met. To make it easier he even took a few videos of the path he was planning on taking. So that way I knew what to anticipate beforehand. I positioned myself discreetly, behind a big gas tank, lol, ready to capture the moment as it unfolded naturally. With proposals, there’s only one chance to get it right, so anticipation is key. I arrived to the location early. I set up my light and made sure all my camera settings were good so I was not panicking later.
3. Get all the info ( and then some):
- This was a place I could not check out in advance. So I got the phone number of someone who knew the location well and would be there. Turns out I 100% needed that number, because as I was just in my own world listening to my audio book headed to the site, my GPS ended literally in the middle of a road. (Cue my panic…) Not a house in site, or any other cars, just me, and a few deer. LOL. So thankfully I was able to use that phone number and get to the correct place. The most important tip: share your location. I got Josiah to share his location on his iPhone so I would know exactly where they were leading up to the proposal.
Be sure to check out my latest wedding blog from Jill and Roland’s wedding at Firefly Gardens in Midlothian, Texas. Or check out my instagram for my latest photoshoots and events! Ok, that’s all, love you, byeeeeeee!
