An engagement surprise! She said Yes!
When I shot Ashley and David’s Wedding back in October of 2018, the most stressful part of the whole day was the moments I couldn’t recapture. The rings going onto fingers, the first kiss and the walk down the aisle as husband and wife. Everything else can be reshot, but those moments only happen once.
Clint contacted me about a week before his big moment and asked if I’d like to help fulfil a wish of his now fiance Corrin. The wish was simple. To get photos of the exact moment he proposed so they could relive the moment later. Pretty simple right?
Well for them, yes. For me? Not so much.
Clint and I met up a few days beforehand to talk tactics and strategy. I had briefly met Clint a few years ago through his mum. We had worked together at a local school when I did IT and as a result, we met once or twice. After a brief catch up we had a plan set.
Hickson Road Reserve. 4PM. Saturday. And most importantly, make sure you get it.
The only thing I asked of Clint was to make sure he stayed on his knee for as long as possible. Apart from that we shook hands, felt both pangs of confidence and nervousness and went away, to meet again a few days later.
I was well and truly nervous, it was another big moment for me and I didn’t want to disappoint. Saturday came around and I did the regular routine.
Camera charged, extra battery and memory cards and a few lenses to boot. Was good to go.
I jumped on the train and headed to Circular Quay. I arrived far too early and as soon as I stepped off the train the nerves kicked in. I got in with about an hour a half before the big moment so I tried to relax with a coffee and a burger. I made my way around to the park to scope out the area and checked it all out. I had a plan all set. I sent a text off to Clint and let him know we were good to go.
Just before 4PM, I got a text from Clint telling me they were almost there and to get ready. I stood in the park and got the heads up they were walking under the Harbour Bridge. I soon spotted the two and kept my eye out.
Corrin immediately went off course behind a giant stone pillar. I quickly darted around trying to see what was happening, making sure I wasn’t missing the moment. Thankfully I wasn’t and I continued to move around the area. They slowly made their way to the middle of the park where Clint said he’d be. At one point Corrin looked at me dead in the eye and I thought it was busted.
Luckily she saw straight past me and they kept walking along. I kept an eye on them and slowly got closer. And before too long, the big moment happened.
My camera was at the ready, and I started clicking away, Clint did his thing and I moved in closer and closer to get the moment. Before I knew it, the two of them jumped up in celebration before Clint pointed me out and revealed the big plan.
We finally said hello to each other, after I congratulated the both of them, before we moved onto a proper photoshoot.
Being in Circular Quay, we had lots of choices of places to go check out. We started off just under the bridge, before we moved around towards The Rocks. It was a glorious day and the way the light came through the scenes we visited created some amazing stuff.
After an hour or so we wrapped up the show and said our goodbyes, I needed a drink after the stress of the week and Clint and Corrin were heading off to have a night in the city. It was a great end to a great moment.
Like I said up top, this was something I had never done and never thought I’d be able to do. To capture moments that can’t be recreated is another level of stress. But at the end of the day, once the photos had been handed over, and the response I got, it made it all worth it. That’s what makes it all worthwhile. It was also special to be involved in such a special and intimate moment.
Congratulations to Clint and Corrin, I hope you have a long and happy life together.
Brendan.