Engagerazzi Photographer | Graydon and Gina
All photographs by Lansing Wedding photographer Heather K. Please, no downloading or editing without permission.
“I remember meeting Gina on June 6, 2009. I remember coming home from a friend’s house the following morning and telling my sister: “I think I met my future wife.” At first glance, I knew she was very special – a woman that just doesn’t come along very often. I had been waiting a long time, knew what I wanted and seized the opportunity as soon as I discovered it.”
Graydon is a tough-looking type. With a quiet way about him and a motorcycle at the ready, he’s not the kind that you would expect to be poetic. But love inspires us. It makes us reach into the deepest things we can feel and find a way to express them…
Graydon contacted me last month, asking about my Engagerazzi services. As he began to tell me his plans and talk about his girlfriend, Gina, it was clear to me that he was over the moon- gone, man, gone! 
It was wonderful hearing from him how they met and fell in love, and all the beautiful qualities that make her The One.
We laid out a plan that demanded strict secrecy. Unlike most Engagerazzi sessions, which only require secrecy up to the moment of the proposal, Graydon wanted to do something even more special: surprise Gina a week after the proposal with a keepsake book filled with photographs of the proposal happening that she didn’t even know had been taken! This would require my hiding in the woods like a redneck ninja, dodging mosquitoes and following the action as they strolled through Dewitt park toward the patch of forest where he would pop the question- all without making a sound, missing a moment, or being spotted! Was I up to the challenge?
You bet your sweet yams I was.
Browse my favorites below, see all the proposal photographs here, or flip through the keepsake book here - the large, gorgeous spreads feature more of the proposal, with beautiful storytelling from Graydon throughout. Use the slideshow button at each link to view the photographs or spreads full-size!
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The evening was drawing in, and I was settled in among the trees, waiting for Gina and Graydon to appear around the path’s bend…
As he led her to the agreed upon place, they talked and laughed. My heart was pounding as I prepared to shoot- would she see me? Hear the camera? If she caught me, could I come up with a plausible cover story? “No, I was photographing that bird above you. See it? Oh, well, it’s gone now. Just ignore me, la la la!”
After some tentative test shooting, I could see that she didn’t suspect a thing. After some time to gather himself, I saw Graydon take one knee. I had a perfect line of sight to capture Gina’s wonderful reaction!
From my hiding place, I could make out what she was saying between tears… “This is amazing! It’s so beautiful!! You could have gotten me a cracker jack ring, I would have still said yes! You didn’t have to… it’s so gorgeous!!” (Kudos, BTW, to my friend Jon at Arendsen Designs in Dewitt- he helped Graydon make sure he had the perfect ring for Gina. He’s a real sweetie and I recommend him to anyone ready to propose!)
Soon Gina and Graydon began strolling through the park, sharing a quiet walk as they excitedly talked…
All too soon, they were ready to take off together- getting ready to spread the news to family and friends! I remained hidden behind (1) a garbage can (2) a tree and (3) a mini boulder (Yay for being a tiny person!) as I continued to shoot…
The following is my personal favorite- I love how this private moment in caught in the reflection of the mirror!
And as they rode away, a celebratory fist-pump was in order. Kudos to Graydon for pulling off a legendary proposal, and congratulations to you both!!
Want to talk to me about your proposal plans? Let’s make it EPIC. Contact me here!
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Looks like a fun session, you rocked it!
I totally welled up knowing that something so intimate and so REAL was captured for them forever. If I was this bride I would be thrilled knowing that it had been recorded. Amazing work.
dude. legit engagement photos are awesome. well done.
Love the fist pump! What a great capture.
I love your personal fave, too!! What an awesome capture!
So cool!
Eeek! SO much awesomeness! You did a spectacular job…I always wonder how the secret photographer manages if the couple moves slightly behind something, or turns their backs to the camera. I would love to hear the story from Gina after she got the book and realised the whole thing had been recorded!
Kat, it takes a lot of planning to make sure that doesn’t happen haha! With each case, I do a walkthrough with the groom-to-be, planning out what places have a good line of sight and which don’t. In this case, I instructed Graydon to make sure that he and Gina would be facing each other at an angle that would not block the camera. As you can see, he followed the plan like a pro!
Great work Heather. Nice subtle coverage.
Loving the ring shot. Thumbs up to this session.
That last one is so fun – great job, Heather!
Ahhh, SO CUTE! I love that he did this. That motorcycle shot that you love too is my fave. Very cool to see the reflection there!
superbe – that ring shot was wonderful..well done mate
I adore the motorcycle shot with the reflection in the mirror! Awesome shot.
what a romantic idea!! great photos and such a fun experience and memories for the couple!
These are awesome, Heather! And mad props to the groom for being smart enough to know how important these images will be to his future bride.
Very cool bike! Love this stuff mate.
Lovely capture here! What a great record for the couple to have!
Great work, really like the use of shadow in the shots of the bride .
I am in love with the shot of the two of them walking away through that field, so gorgeous!
What a fantastic session – and I love that he kept it all a secret from her until he surprised her with the book! That is so very awesome!!!
What a radiant bride… I love her smile!!! Beautifully captured, I love how the emotion comes through so vividly.
Gina and I have been friends since grade school;)) –shes family!! Shes the closest thing to a sister that I have;)) I love her to death and one of my Best Friends!!! I am so happy Graydon brings such huge smiles to her Gorgeous face! She soooo deserves the BEST!!!!
) These pictures show the love these two have between one another!!! <3
Love you Gina Mae!!
Aww…Thank you SO much Jess! Love you sis! XO