For the many of you that followed the “Platinum Engagement Contest” sponsored by Sheffields Diamonds, myself and the other sponsors, the contest ended last week and the winners were selected. Brooke & Rick are a very deserving couple and their love is so tangible its awesome! As part of the contest, I provided the future bride & groom with a complimentary engagement session, and also to document the amazing day they were about to have. The winners received the following: 1ct Platinum Diamond ring by Tacori, engagement session and photojournalist documentation of their engagement, Allison limousine provided the transportation to the Imagen Creative Hair Salon, return to the Westin La Paloma who also provided a complimentary 1 night stay in one of their awesome suites, including dinner and so much more. The day was set for a truly magical afternoon and I was so excited to be a part of it. I must say, I’ve photographed some pretty special events and traveled to some really exotic places, but this engagement is not only the second real engagement that I have photographed (see Amanda & Jason’s for the first!), but, this one ranks up there with the most memorable moments I have photographed.
The day started at the Imagen Spa for their pampering. Rick obviously didn’t need a hair trim, but the staff was very accommodating for their special event. We then traveled back to the Westin La Paloma for some quick portraits before dinner. Brooke knew that she was going to end the night as a newly engaged women, but she didn’t know how nor when. Rick and I have previously planned the perfect spot: atop the 2nd floor balcony near the ballrooms. It offered a tremendous view and perfect location for such an amazing event. As we meandered around getting some awesome portraits en-route to the final engagement ring rendezvous point, the hotel had prepared a nice table with some champagne and the ring for Rick’s proposal. As we walked up the stairs, I don’t know if Brooke was expecting it, but she must have known as she saw the table, champagne and ring box. It was a whirlwind of excitement, and as much as I wanted to sit back and watch the moment unfold, I was busy trying to stay out of their hair and photograph the event at the same time. I didn’t hear a word that Rick said, but he had obviously prepared something. Of course she said yes and a celebration ensued. I took a few more awesome portraits of their excitement and the awesome view from the balcony and then left to let them enjoy their moment alone.
We met up again as they were ready for dinner and spent a little while more with them. Brooke even trusted me with the brand new ring (which is obviously the most expensive ring I have probably photographed), which turned out to be an AWESOME ringshot . . . won’t lie
I had to finish it off with something different, so I had a great idea of photographing them going back to their hotel room . . . I think it worked
Big thanks to everyone who was involved with the preparation and publication of the event, it was awesome to be a part of it all!
To all you photographers, consider this a sneak peak for the latest presets from Presetopia, Presets v2 baby!
I’ve never had a manicure myself, but it looked pretty comfortable all the stuff they did
AWESOME makeup lounge, pretty shnazzy I’d say
Interior of the stretch Limo provided by Allison Limousines
I LOVED LOVED LOVED the sky in this one as she went outside to check the makeup application
Rick showing off his new manicure
Arrival at La Paloma, they were SUPER excited about everything, made my job super easy!
SO MANY AWESOME THINGS about this shot, hard to even begin! The view was breathtaking!
This is also the view from my apartment
La Paloma has some serious views unlike all other resorts in Tucson
Not many people were at this dinner location so that were able to enjoy some R&R alone
Of course, hard not to love a beautiful ring! Shot this one handheld too FTW!
Escape back to their room, LOVED this concept
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