Andrew and Isabella | Whitefish Dunes State Park Proposal
To speak candidly, Andrew and Isabella’s proposal was tricky to logistically pull off. When I spoke with Andrew on the phone, he told me that he’d love to propose somewhere with a fantastic view, at sunset, and near an upscale restaurant. To add an extra variable, neither Andrew nor Isabella had ever been to Door County before, so I put my planning hat on and got started.
Rick and Alison | Anderson's Dock Proposal
Whenever I think about Rick and Alison’s proposal, I will always remember our Sunday afternoon phone call. Rick was planning on proposing that evening around sunset, but the forecast was looking pretty ominous. I was about to reach out and discuss options when Rick’s number started ringing on my phone. I answered, and Rick told me that we need to choose a different evening for the proposal. However, it wasn’t because of the storms; it was because they just arrived in Door County, had to hike to their campsite, and their older dog was tired of the walk so Rick was currently carrying her two miles to their spot!
Paul and Natalie | Washington Island Proposal at Fragrant Isle
As you pass someone on the road on Washington Island, it’s customary to waive. It’s not an energetic motion of throwing your hand from side to side, but more gently elevating your lefthand fingers from your steering wheel or handle bars; it’s a subtle welcome and personal acknowledgment; it’s saying “I see you” without ever saying a word. The next time Natalie waives on The Island, you might notice something new on her finger; congratulations to Natalie and Paul on their engagement!
Dan and Serena | Baileys Harbor Ridges Park
Dan is a cancer researcher while Serena works in the trenches as a resident physician, but what would they like to do now that they’re engaged? Quit their jobs and develop a hybrid fruit that tastes like a mango but peels like a banana, of course!
Duane and Sarah | Roadside Proposal
We’re in an uncertain time of social distancing and COVID-19, but Duane and Sarah prove that we can continue to grow, strengthen bonds, and find joy. In the middle of the winding road near Northport, they made a commitment to stand by each other no matter the twists and turns (and oncoming traffic) that lie ahead. Congratulations you two :)
Jason and Kaitlin | Cave Point County Park Proposal
I photograph people’s “happiest,” “best,” and “brightest” moments. I regularly find myself at weddings, proposals, family vacations, and 80th birthday parties. I’m the anti-Grim-Reaper and leave “joy” in my wake. The moral of the story? If you see me with my camera, get excited for something awesome and know that I’m not a murderer.
Matt and Hannah | Cave Point County Park Proposal
Today, however, is about the “proposal,” a transition between people, from a relationship of “will we?” to one of “we will.” Congratulations Matt and Hannah, and I wish you the best of luck in your next great metaphor.
Alex and Jade | Cave Point County Park Proposal
Alex and Jade’s Cave Point proposal took logistics to the next level. The first hurdle was that neither Jade nor Alex had ever been to Cave Point before, and that was cleared pretty easily with one of my annotated maps and usual “Cave Point Proposal Plan” (I’ve done this quite a few times). The hard part, however, was that Jade wanted eleven of their family members (all who’ve never been to Cave Point before) to watch the proposal, Jade’s young son to deliver the ring box, and for Alex not to know that any of them were there. That’s a lot to juggle.
David and Marissa | Ephraim Proposal
I arrived at Anderson’s Dock half an hour early, and I waited in my car until David and Marissa pulled in. They parked next to me; David and I glanced through our windows and made brief eye contact reassuring each other of our plan, and Marissa exited the car oblivious to what was to come. I waited 30 seconds to not make my intentions obvious before turning on my camera and following behind.
Bradley and Kaitlin | Cave Point County Park
One of the coolest things about Door County is that you can watch the sunrise over Lake Michigan in the morning and the sunset on the bay in the evening. My wife and I call these “sunrise to sunset days,” and that’s how Bradley wanted to spend his first day engaged with Kaitlin. Does a better metaphor exist?