Chris and Catherine, minutes after getting engaged
The White House!
Washington, DC
May, 2007
Last week I had one of my coolest photo shoots yet. Chris proposed to his girlfriend, Catherine, and asked me to photograph it. It was such an honor to witness that moment in their lives. If that weren’t special enough, the proposal took place in the White House Rose Garden!
Chris and Catherine have been together for five years, and they are now planning a wedding for next fall in Catherine’s hometown of Ottawa, Canada. They live in the DC area, and Chris has a friend who works in the White House. The three of us got a private tour of the White House, including the Oval Office, Cabinet room, and Rose Garden. It was thrilling to be standing in such important locations, imagining all the decisions that had made made in those very rooms. I wasn’t allowed to take any photographs inside the White House, but I did have a small area of the Rose Garden and the front of the White House where I was allowed to stand for photos.
When we arrived in the Rose Garden, Chris pulled out a jewelry box and hid it behind his back. He got down on one knee, and asked Catherine to marry him. She said yes!
We started that evening at the Washington Monument. Years ago, I took photos of Catherine at the
Monument, and she wanted me to take similar photos that showed the addition of Chris to her life.
Chris was giddy! He was so excited about what was about to happen.
We got to the White House and received passes that said “Appointment.”
Behind these doors are the Oval Office and Cabinet Room. Chris was so excited!
We got to the Rose Garden, and Chris got ready.
joputol
Hello
Looks good! Good resources here. Good stuff. I will be back!
That is totally awesome that you took photos of the actual engagement. So many people do a reenacment but it’s just not the same!
Congrats to the couple!
Hello
Hi all!
Looks good! Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much!
Bye
Wow!
That’s awesome! What an opportunity – great shots!!!
-Eric Doggett
I really loved the tour. The White House is fascinating, and I love its humble size and decor. The best part was imagining all the discussions that had occurred in those rooms, and realizing that I was walking in the same footsteps as some of the most influencial world leaders. Very impressive.
I love that, too! It’s so cute how he is eagerly waiting for her reaction.
Nah, popping out of the bushes at the White House is probably a one-way ticket to Guantanamo. 😉 Instead I tagged along with them for the entire tour, just to take some nice pictures of them at the White House. I think it’s a great idea to propose during a portrait shoot!
I’m really glad you like them, Catherine! You and Chris are such a sweet couple. It was an honor to document this big night for you.
That’s great! I’m glad you decided to go for it. 🙂 Keep being bold, and you’ll love the results.
wow! what a great opportunity!
i Love the one of her checking out her bling after the proposal! 🙂
will you be photographing their wedding in ottawa? i’d travel across the plains to watch you work. 😉 (don’t worry, i really wouldn’t follow you around canada- unless you were out west here)
what a special moment to be a part of- thank you for sharing! i’m sure the couple is Very happy to have these memories captured in time.
What wonderful news from the White House!! I’m so happy for them both! And fantastic pictures, it reminded me of how I felt when my husband proposed to me. I loved it that he got down on his knee! It’s so romantic!!
Did you enjoy your tour? I *adore* the White House. I’m so jealous!! (in a good way!)
I love this! Especially the pic of her looking at the ring after the proposal and him watching her face. Nice!
I’m not a brilliant man. Charlotte just makes me look like one. And thank you!
You’re a brilliant man! And congrats to the both of you!
Gorgeous photos! Gorgeous couple!
Congrats Catherine & Chris!!
Now that’s cool — did you have to pop out of the bushes? I wanted a friend to shoot mine, but figured it might be a bit much.
!!!!
I like the last three the best- but they’re all great 🙂
They look so HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Nice! So, are you going to follow them to Ottawa to shoot the wedding?
Charlotte is the best, and well worth the expense. Since you are in California, I recommend a vacation in Colorado and booking her then.
Thank you. The best part of the proposal: She said yes.
Congrats … an EXCELLENT job on proposal … and to get he to capture it? Priceless!
charlotte’s the best — too bad i live in california! it would be an expensive plane ticket to get her out here to photograph me! 🙂
and i’m sure you’re both lucky to have found each other. 🙂
WOW!! That is amazing. One of THE coolest shoots EVAH! How romantic and thoughtful … and special. And great way to capture the energy … you can feel the “giddiness”. Almost as if I was there. Way to go, Char!
You’re guessing correctly, and thank you for the props. Hiring Charlotte was the best decision and absolutely recommend her to everyone. Catherine is not the lucky one. I am.
Yay! Great pictures; congrats to the happy couple! 🙂
i’m guessing you’re the chris in question, and i just have to say — props to hiring a photographer, dude. that was seriouly the only thing missing from my perfect proposal. your bride is a very lucky woman. 🙂
the first “box behind the back” photos is awesome.
i can almost feel his anxiousness!
very sweet.
i had commented to you a while back about me being so afraid of taking photos of people (other than my family).
anyway, i was at a local park and saw this young guy playing guitar.
i went up and asked him (shaking hands and all) if he’d mind if i took his photo. he said yes.
i was kinda proud of myself!
but anyway, your work is spectacular, and i love seeing it!
so she didn’t know? she thought they were just getting pictures taken? SO awesome. that was the only thing missing at my proposal – a secret photographer hiding behind the rock! hahahah!
Who is the ugly guy and how did he manage to get such a beautiful bride?
Wow, that is the coolest place to do a shoot. Congrats to all.
how romantic!