Chase and Maddie’s Proposal Photography and their Engagement at the Stone Arch Bridge

I rounded out the 2018 photography season with a new experience: my first ever proposal photoshoot! I was so tickled when Chase contacted me while planning his proposal to Maddie. They had plans of coming to the cities from college in Colorado over the holiday season. I photographed Maddie and her sister Lydia earlier in my career and was thrilled to reconnect and photograph Chase and Maddie’s day in the city together.

Chase loved the idea of Minneapolis being the background for their photos and wanted a short and sweet way to document the moments of their proposal. They went out to lunch at Aster Cafe and walked across the Stone Arch Bridge and downtown for a bit. On their way back, in the middle of the bridge, Chase got down on one knee and proposed.

Photographing them was this balance of getting close enough to take photos, while also keeping my distance so Maddie wouldn’t recognize me and be suspicious of my presence. There are often a lot of people on the Stone Arch Bridge taking photos, so while they were walking by I pretended to be taking photos of the scenery and architecture.

I chose a medium zoom lens so I could be fairly far away but still able to focus on their expressions - all while keeping the background texture of the city really visible. I love how their photographs on the bridge feel like a piece of art that they happen to be in. Such an iconic Minneapolis moment!

Chase and Maddie were so blissful, happy, and easy-going. After the proposal we went on a short walk and took a few more photos of them walking along St. Anthony Main, in front of Aster Cafe, and in the park near the bridge.

Chase and Maddie, thank you letting me capture the moments of your proposal. It was a joy to see you so in love with each other, and I’m so excited for this next chapter of your adventure together!