Last week, I had the absolute honor of capturing one of the most heartfelt moments of Jaclyn and Garrett’s love story in the breathtaking town of Leavenworth, Washington. Nestled along the river with the majestic mountains as our backdrop, this proposal was nothing short of magical.

The Backstory: Back in December, Garrett reached out to me with the sweetest request: to help him document his proposal to Jaclyn. He wanted it to be meaningful, unforgettable, and perfectly captured. After tossing around some ideas, we came up with the perfect cover story. I invited Jaclyn to “model” for me in a styled session by the mountains. I made sure to gush about how much I appreciated her help on this, and she of course agreed, completely unaware of what the true plan was.

As we plotted the details, Garrett and I narrowed down the ideal spot for the proposal. We decided on a serene area along the river that would provide the intimacy and natural beauty this moment deserved. Leavenworth holds a lot of meaning for these two so it was the perfect fit.

The Big Day: The day finally arrived, and I was buzzing with excitement as I drove out to Leavenworth with my Garrett (yes, two Garrett’s in this little story), who graciously agreed to capture some behind-the-scenes moments for me. We met up with J and G in the parking lot, hugged, played catch up, and started making our way to the “photo spot.”

Once we reached the riverbank, the golden hour light started SHOWING OFF. It was time. I directed Jaclyn to “admire the mountains” while Garrett prepared for his big moment. As she gazed out at the stunning landscape, he put the ring box in his pocket, stepped close, and began pouring his heart out. In that golden moment, surrounded by the whispers of the river and the warmth of the setting sun, Garrett got down on one knee and asked Jaclyn to spend forever with him. Spoiler alert: She said yes!

After the Proposal: We all celebrated, laughed, and let the reality of their new chapter sink in. I gave them a moment to themselves and snuck across the river to get some wide shots while they cozied up on the picnic blanket together. After that, we spent the rest of the evening exploring the charming streets of Leavenworth. The four of us popped into a cozy bar, raised our glasses to the newly engaged couple, and soaked in their stories about how their relationship had brought them to this moment. Their giggles and glowing smiles were contagious—it was clear these two are absolutely smitten with each other.

Reflecting on the Day: This session was a perfect reminder of why I do what I do. Capturing moments like this—raw, genuine, and intentional—is an incredible privilege and there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing! Let’s document your special moments next?

x, Aliyah