I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the most beautiful family recently—Chelsea, Tristan, and their sweet daughter, Ensley. They traveled all the way from Ohio to the Smoky Mountains for their photo session, and I can honestly say, it was one of those days where everything just fell perfectly into place.

The timing couldn’t have been more ideal. The Smoky Mountains were at the peak of their fall colors, with the leaves bursting in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. It was a breathtaking backdrop for their family photos, but little did Chelsea know, there was something extra special in the works. While she thought she was simply booking a session for some beautiful fall family portraits, Tristan and I had been secretly planning a surprise proposal for her!

The Session: A Perfect Day in the Smokies

From the moment they arrived, I could tell this session was going to be a blast. Ensley, their adorable kindergartner, was full of energy and excitement. She was all smiles, making my job so much fun! Chelsea and Tristan were both warm, relaxed, and incredibly easy to work with, and it was clear that they shared a deep love for each other and for their sweet little girl.

The session took us to some of the most stunning spots in the Smoky Mountains. We explored some quiet, wooded areas, and then ventured to some rustic homesteads, where the golden light of late afternoon danced through the branches and leaves. Every shot was more beautiful than the last, with the stunning fall foliage providing the perfect backdrop for this amazing family.

But the best moment of the day was still to come.

The Big Surprise: Tristan’s Proposal

As we neared the end of our session, we were heading to one final location—the creek. It was getting a little later in the day, and I knew time was running short before it would get too dark to capture the moment. We had one more shot to make it all come together, and the tension was building!

I couldn’t help but smile as I noticed Tristan’s nervous energy. We had been coordinating the details behind Chelsea’s back, and I knew he was both excited and anxious for everything to go smoothly. As we got to the creek, the sun was beginning to set, and I knew this was the perfect moment.

Tristan turned to Chelsea, dropped to one knee, and proposed! It was so sweet, and Chelsea’s reaction was priceless. She was overwhelmed with joy, and, of course, she said yes! The whole moment felt like something out of a fairytale, with the colorful autumn leaves swirling around them and the soft golden light framing their love.

Ensley, who had been watching with wide eyes, immediately began jumping up and down with excitement. “I’m going to tell my teacher!” she exclaimed. For any parent, that’s a pretty big deal—especially when you’re in kindergarten! I loved how she was so thrilled and eager to share the big news. It was such a beautiful, genuine moment for their family.

A Quick Sprint to the Finish Line

After the proposal, we couldn’t help but bask in the glow of the moment. But I still had to grab a few final shots before we lost the light entirely! We raced against the setting sun, trying to catch that last bit of golden hour. Tristan, who had been a trooper through the whole session, was more than happy to help me move things along quickly. I have to give a huge shout-out to him for keeping up with me as I sped down the mountain to get us to our last location in time.

We made it to the creek just as the last rays of sunlight dipped behind the mountains. It was one of those magical moments where everything seemed to align perfectly, and I’m so glad I could be there to capture it.

Final Thoughts

It was such an honor to be part of this day, and to witness such a special moment in Chelsea and Tristan’s journey. Their love for each other, and for their sweet daughter Ensley, was so evident throughout the session, and the proposal was the cherry on top of an already perfect day.

Chelsea and Tristan, thank you for trusting me with your photos, and for letting me capture such a monumental moment in your lives. Ensley, thank you for being such a joy to photograph—I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll do!

And, of course, a huge congratulations on your engagement! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for your beautiful family.

Here’s to many more memories, big and small, and to the adventures ahead.