When Robert (aka Bob) first told me his plan, I admit I had some doubts we could pull it off.  Silly me. :)

Bob was planning to propose to his longtime girlfriend, and good friend of mine, Mariam, the following week.  He wanted me to be there to capture the moment...but of course, he needed to keep his plan a secret from Mariam.  

Bob was open to suggestions on where to do this in order to get some great pics. I remembered Mariam mentioning to me at one point, that not if, but when Bob finally popped the question, she wanted to do their engagement shoot with me in Monterey or Carmel, so I suggested to Bob we do it there.  We could stay for a couple hours after the big moment for more photos around town or at the beach, and make this, quite literally, their engagement shoot.  Sounded like a great plan!

But what would be our cover story? How do we get Mariam there without rousing suspicion? How do I show up without being seen?  And where to go exactly?  My first idea was for Bob to make his own plans for a weekend getaway in Carmel with Mariam and then pick a time and a place where I could stay out of sight somehow and shoot the moment all paparazzi style.  But that seemed too tricky.  I didn't know the area well enough and don't live close enough to prescope out places ahead of time. And what if Mariam spotted me?  That would ruin everything. Or what if she insisted on wearing sweat pants all day?  We both figured she would appreciate, after the fact, being dressed up a bit for these photos that will last forever.     

In the end, it was agreed that the best plan was for me to do the luring, even though it involved telling a little white lie to a friend for her greater good. (Sorry again Mirmy!) This is what we came up with... I would tell Mariam that I was working with a venue in the area specializing in Carmel wedding photography, they requested some local engagement-style photos for promotion, and I was in desperate need for a couple to stand in as models.  It would be a huge favor to me, I told Mariam.  And yes, of course, I would still do their "official" engagement shoot in Carmel when the time came.  This way, she would be dressed and ready for pictures, be assured she could do it all again 'for real' someday, and it would allow Bob a chance to play the unassuming, cooperative boyfriend.  Bingo!  She was in.

I did a little research on cool places in the area and decided that the Carmel Mission looked perfect.  I arrived an hour before they did to get a first-hand look, and confirmed it...this was the spot.   I texted them where to meet me, and soon after we got started, Bob made his move.   As they say, the rest is history...though in their case...it's just the beginning...

Congratulations Mariam and Robert!  See you at your wedding in Italy this Spring!

A couple shots of the big moment...

When she got her voice back, she said "Yes!" :)

From then on, we had a blast soaking it all in and taking more photos in beautiful Carmel...

Photography by Eric James Leffler, of Eric James Photography, specializing in San Francisco Bay Area wedding, portrait and fine art photography.

In addition to San Francisco Bay Area wedding photography, Eric James Photography also serves the Monterey and Carmel Peninsula, Napa wine country, East Bay areas, Walnut Creek, San Jose, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and destinations worldwide.

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