The proposal in the park in the rain

Shay Stephens · April 28, 2007

It broke a record that day, the most rain to fall in Central Park for that day, I think it was 5.5 inches, and it felt like I absorbed most of it.

After watching the ducks for a while a couple came strolling down the walkway, hand in hand:

Only to stop on top of Bow Bridge. He held her hand, kissed her, and talked for a few minutes:

And then it happened:

She was shocked, let out a scream, and forgot that she was holding on to an umbrella:

They held, and kissed, and said sweet nothings to each other. They were on cloud nine!

And then it sank in:

A few more minutes past to regain composure, and then he introduced us. We gave our congratulations, provided some dry tissues and smiles. A brief stroll through the park followed as we all walked back to the streets to get our cabs, but along the way we stopped for a photo or two to take advantage of the beautiful atmosphere only a rainy day can provide:

Andy · April 28, 2007

:jawdrop

True mastery. The embodiment of professional work.

DavidTO · April 28, 2007

Wow, what a moment! Great shots!

You planned that down to the T with the guy, eh? Did you walk Central Park with him to pick the spot?

wxwax · April 28, 2007

Oh my gosh.

This is beautiful in every way. The setting, the tones, the emotions, the framing, vignetting, all of it is wonderful.

Classic stuff, Shay. Fantastic.

wxwax · April 28, 2007

I assume you agreed beforehand that it would be on the bridge?

I gotta say, despite what must have been careful planning, my favorite shots are the ones you couldn't have planned for: him whirling her around, and kissing against the fence.

Fantastic.

Seneca · April 28, 2007

How sweet was that...very impressive.

Shay Stephens · April 28, 2007

It was all done through the internet and phone calls. He actually lives in San Diego. So we told him where to go and where to be. Jen wears a red baret hat so we are easy to spot to someone who knows what to look for

It was interesting too, all the rain caused the highway to flood, so had we not left early, we would have been late due to traffic! As it turned out he was the late by about 45 minutes. But we told him not to worry if he was late, we would stay there till he showed up or we were swept away hehehe. So it all went off without a hitch!

We are in talks now about shooting their wedding next year!

Shay Stephens · April 28, 2007

wxwax wrote:

I assume you agreed beforehand that it would be on the bridge?

I gotta say, despite what must have been careful planning, my favorite shots are the ones you couldn't have planned for: him whirling her around, and kissing against the fence.

Fantastic.

tehehe, both those shots were posed. When we do pose (we try to limit it), we try to pose it so they look natural, so I am glad it looks natural to you :-)

Andy · April 28, 2007

Shay Stephens wrote:

Jen wears a red baret hat so we are easy to spot to someone who knows what to look for

I'd think it'd be easier to tell them to look for the really short guy with big feet

Shay Stephens · April 28, 2007

Andy wrote:

I'd think it'd be easier to tell them to look for the really short guy with big feet

Well you know, it was raining so I had to wear shoes, and that just makes me totally unrecognizable!

dragon300zx · April 28, 2007

These are great shots Shay. Very inspiring.

urbanaries · April 28, 2007

Andy wrote:

I'd think it'd be easier to tell them to look for the really short guy with big feet

shay's avatar is a tad easier on the eyes...:D

Thanks for sharing this poignant, beautiful set. What amazing customer service....kudos to the groom for thinking ahead. They'd be insane not to hire you for their wedding? If I were her, I'd wear a gown from Goodwill before I'd let someone else photograph us after that magazine cover umbrella-twirling shot.

(how'd the non-weather-sealed body hold up?)

gmonkeh · April 28, 2007

True story book setting, awesome job Shane. We're you hiding in the bushes for these shots?

Seefutlung · April 28, 2007

Wow! Great Stuff from technical to composition ... to story line. At first I thought it was all happenstance ... crazy photog testing out the seals and stumbled upon a Singing in the Rain song and dance thing ... Even though many of the shots were poised ... the rain made it a great story.

Gary

PS- Gotta tell ya ... very disappointed that it was not pure happenstance ... man ... that would have absolutely, postively, great with a cherry on top ... now the shots are merely great ... no cherry.
G

Shay Stephens · April 28, 2007

urbanaries wrote:

(how'd the non-weather-sealed body hold up?)

It held up very good with the right protocols. I used a lens hood on the 70-200, a rainjacket over the lens and camera, and Jen holding a big golf style umbrella for the both of us. The only thing that got semi-wet equipment wise was my camera bag outer pockets.

So I am going to be looking for a new bag with better weather protection. But I was happy this time around and didn't have any equipment failures due to moisture! I have a wedding tomorrow and my sensor doesn't even need cleaning!

Jen and I were soaked to the bone, and I had fun walking through puddles and mini-lakes on the way back to the car

Shay Stephens · April 28, 2007

gmonkeh wrote:

True story book setting, awesome job Shay. We're you hiding in the bushes for these shots?

I was just off the bridge,shooting scenics when they came on the bridge. She was surprised when we were revealed for who we were

wxwax · April 28, 2007

Shay Stephens wrote:

tehehe, both those shots were posed. When we do pose (we try to limit it), we try to pose it so they look natural, so I am glad it looks natural to you :-)

Fooled me!

David_S85 · April 28, 2007

Shay, phenomenal results from the meticulous planning (oh, and skill

). Even with the foul weather, these are superb. I even think the rain helped focus the mood on the couple that much more.

Shay Stephens · April 29, 2007

David_S85 wrote:

Shay, phenomenal results from the meticulous planning (oh, and skill ). Even with the foul weather, these are superb. I even think the rain helped focus the mood on the couple that much more.

As much as I hate shooting in the rain...I just love shooting in the rain! There is no other atmosphere like it. And it is little wonder that movie directors use it so frequently!

Shay Stephens · April 29, 2007

Seefutlung wrote:

PS- Gotta tell ya ... very disappointed that it was[n't] pure happenstance

I'll try harder next time

FotoChick · April 29, 2007

To put this proposing man's level of commitment into prospective, he said “rain or shine”, and as it turned out Central Park got a half a years rainfall for him, in one afternoon! :uhoh

It was sooo sweet, I was actually was crying by the the time he pointed us out to her. :cry

When we got back to the car my long black cashmere coat was soggy and dripping with water, it weighed about 35 lbs when I laid it in the trunk!

It was a total blast though! :ivar

Jen

wxwax · April 29, 2007

FotoChick wrote:

To put this proposing man's level of commitment into prospective, he said “rain or shine”, and as it turned out Central Park got a half a years rainfall for him, in one afternoon! :uhoh

It was sooo sweet, I was actually was crying by the the time he pointed us out to her. :cryWhen we got back to the car my long black cashmere coat was soggy and dripping with water, it weighed about 35 lbs when I laid it in the trunk!

It was a total blast though! :ivar

Jen

I've been wondering how he talked her into taking a walk in a downpour!

shatch · April 29, 2007

Fantastic!
Shay,
When I grow up I want to be like you.

Those shots are fantastic! Very inspiring. I'm praying for rain and getting my goloshes out.

Thanks for sharing.

Nikolai · April 29, 2007

Shay
"True warrior turns the seeming disadvantage into a victory".
Old Chinese wisdom

Ann McRae · April 29, 2007

bow

and :jawdrop

Good gosh!
1. that you to stayed out in the rain waiting
2. that he managed to get her there
3. that he actually proposed on one knee

all of these things are almost as amazing as the photos!!! These are stupendous!

coldclimb · April 29, 2007

Breathtaking Shay, what an incredible thing to do. Nice work! Just awesome!

Ted Szukalski · April 29, 2007

Let me join the chorus: this is excellent work. They'd be crazy now if they don't book you for the wedding.

Shay Stephens · April 29, 2007

Thank's everybody! Glad you are enjoying them

Mrs F · April 29, 2007

This series of photos is simply fantastic. I can't wipe the smile from my face. The whole world should get to see these!

saurora · April 29, 2007

OMG you're so beyond good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You had me going by the 2nd shot........tears started welling, party because the shots are so incredibly beautiful and partly because I'm such a romantic!!!

These are amazing Shay, and you just reminded me why I love photography so much! :saurora

photogmomma · April 29, 2007

Just spectacular. Amazing. Gorgeous!!

The proposal in the park in the rain

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