Blooming Love
A few weeks before his big moment, Riley reached out to me with an exciting plan—he was going to propose to his girlfriend, Paula! Traveling all the way from Nebraska, he wanted to make this moment absolutely perfect for her while she was in Minnesota pursuing her medical studies. He chose one of the most breathtaking spots at the University of Minnesota Arboretum—the vibrant tulip garden—as the place to ask the most important question of his life.
The gardens were bustling with visitors that day, but that didn’t stop us from capturing their intimate, heartfelt moment in the most magical way. With the fountain and colorful blooms as their backdrop, Riley got down on one knee, and Paula’s reaction was pure joy! A little creative editing helped bring their love story to life as if they had the entire garden to themselves.
Capturing surprise proposals like this is one of the most rewarding parts of being a photographer—witnessing raw emotion, happy tears, and a love story unfold in real time. Riley and Paula’s engagement was nothing short of beautiful, and I’m so honored to have been a part of this.
