Hunter and Magan’s surprise proposal at Airlie Gardens

There are some love stories that feel extra special to be a part of — and Hunter and Magan’s surprise proposal at Airlie Gardens was absolutely one of them.

When Hunter first reached out to me, he had the sweetest plan in mind. He wanted to surprise Magan with a proposal while they were on a little getaway together in Wilmington. Hunter had just returned from being based in Hawaii, and this trip was their time to soak up finally being back in the same place again. It already felt meaningful — and adding a proposal made it unforgettable.

We worked together to create a plan that would keep everything completely under the radar. Magan would think they were simply celebrating with a birthday photoshoot. Easy. Casual. Nothing suspicious.

After a few warm-up shots, right as she was fully settled into “this is just a fun session” mode, Hunter made his move.

She was completely taken off guard.

The look on her face — pure shock turning into overwhelming joy — is exactly why I love photographing proposals. It’s that once-in-a-lifetime, heart-pounding moment that you can never recreate. She was so excited, so emotional, and absolutely glowing.

One of my favorite parts of proposal sessions is capturing video on my phone in addition to photographing everything professionally. I always love sending that clip to couples afterward. So many people joke that the proposal feels like a “blackout moment” — everything happens so fast and emotions are so high that it’s hard to remember every detail. Being able to relive it, hear the words again, and see those first reactions is something truly special.

After the big “YES!”, we spent the rest of their session wandering through the gardens. I photograph at Airlie almost weekly, so I’ve come to know the lighting and the most scenic corners like the back of my hand. From dreamy oak trees to tucked-away pathways, we found the most beautiful backdrops to celebrate their newly engaged glow.

One of my favorite images from the entire session was a quiet little detail shot — the gorgeous ring resting against their shoes as they cuddled together. I always love taking time to photograph the ring intentionally. So much thought, time, and love goes into choosing it. Capturing that detail feels like honoring the care Hunter put into selecting the perfect symbol of their forever.

Hunter and Magan’s session was full of joy, intention, and the kind of love that feels steady and sure — even after time spent miles apart. I’m so grateful I got to help plan such a meaningful surprise and document the very beginning of their next chapter together.

Moments like these are why I do what I do. 💛