I've always been intrigued by the idea of going under-cover, wearing wigs, big sunglasses and arrays of disguises while attending to a top secret mission only I and a select few knew about and with July came that opportunity to feel like a secret agent. Well, sort of. Brad, originally from Missouri, contacted me a few months prior informing me of his plan to propose to his girlfriend Molly on an upcoming trip to Paris. I, being a true romantic and wannabe 007, jumped at the occasion and began sorting out details, places and timings with him in the lead up to their trip to the city of love.Â
The event happened on the Krug terrace at the Shangri-La Hotel , an inconspicuous intimate bar which used to be a hotel room. I showed up half an hour earlier to get myself in an optimal position and to pretend to be the official photographer shooting images of the terrace for the hotel (my secret agent moment sans wig and big shades). Brad and Molly arrived, and all other people on the terrace suddenly disappeared with perfect timing as if they were extras on The Truman Show, leaving the couple alone on the terrace with a tall, blonde with a big camera, a little too fascinated by a candle (me).Â
Champagne was ordered and with a slight nod from Brad, he got on one knee and revealed the ring, a medley of family heirlooms he had bound together for Molly. I couldn't hear what was being said but I observed and captured the events through the view of my lens and guessed that the answer was a definite yes. From there, Brad revealed my identity and I got to document their first moments together as a newly engaged couple, enjoying the Parisian elegance of their surroundings from the terrace to the lobby of the hotel where we met Molly's parents, eagerly awaiting the happy couple.Â
Brad and Molly were a real pleasure to work with and I am so happy I was able to play a part in this memorable moment of documenting their lives together. I wish them both much love, light and harmony for many years to come with always a little bit of Paris in their view.Â
Planning an engagement in Paris and need a secret agent photographer to capture it? Get in touch! I'd love to hear from you :)Â