There’s nothing I love more than a good proposal story! And better yet, being chosen to photograph a proposal is such a compliment. I’m excited to share Steven and Jordana’s proposal on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Shenandoah National Park, which I had the pleasure of photographing this May.
Planning the proposal and timing at the
Point Overlook
I received a late night inquiry from Steven about proposing during their trip to Virginia. They were planning to tackle parts of the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway with their adorable dog, Moose. If you’ve been around a while, you might know I have four dogs of my own, so I was hooked! We emailed back and forth for a few weeks, looking at the reviews for different overlook locations, timing the sunset, and making a plan to capture the big proposal! We settled on The Point overlook because of its proximity to their final destination, as well as the elevation and view of the sunset.
The day of the proposal
I arrived at the overlook a little early, taking way too many landscape photos while pretending to be a typical tourist. The couple way making their way down the Skyline Drive from Front Royal, checking in with me periodically. Jordana didn’t know to prepare for photos, so she arrived in dark sunglasses and sweats, oblivious to what was about to happen next. Steven had spent the week encouraging her to get her hair and nails done, but really couldn’t tell her to dress up for a long road trip without giving the secret away!
A successful surprise proposal!
Once they got out of the car, Steven had them turn to take a selfie with the mountain views in the background. While she was distracted, I inched closer to the couple. Then, he popped the question, and she said yes! It was as perfect as could be! Although, Moose was a little weary of me getting closer and closer after the action started. Once Jordana had her beautiful ring on her finger, it was time for an outfit change. Moose got a custom “she said yes” bandana for the rest of our proposal photoshoot. And, Jordana just happened to have a white sundress in the car so she could upgrade from her sweats for some formal portraits.
The first few minutes of our proposal announcement portraits, Jordana just could not stop giggling in disbelief. The portraits from those moments are so cute! We explored the rest of The Point overlook, enjoyed the sunset, and took some gorgeous engagement portraits.
I’ll get to work with these two again for their formal engagement photos in fall 2023, and for their wedding at The Clifton in Charlottesville, VA in 2024. It’ll be worth the wait!
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Jo Mahaney is a professional photographer of PhotographyByJo.net based in Staunton, Virginia, specializing in wedding photography. With over eight years of experience, Jo is dedicated to creating effortless, joyful imagery that authentically captures the essence of each couple’s unique love story. She is known for her ability to create meaningful galleries filled with emotion and personal narratives. Jo is not just a photographer; she is an active supporter of her clients, providing resources and guidance to ensure a stress-free experience. From the initial inquiry call to the wedding day, Jo is transparent, open, and ready to get to know her clients to provide the best service possible. Her commitment to her craft and her clients is evident in the glowing testimonials she has received. Jo’s work extends beyond Staunton, covering areas such as Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Lexington, Roanoke, and Richmond. She has also had the privilege of photographing weddings in various locations, including the Outerbanks, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, and even Spain.
