There is something so tender yet electrifying about watching someone ask their partner to be theirs, forever.
It didn't take much to convince Tomika, a big time book lover, to go to Friends to Lovers, a local romance bookstore in Old Town Alexandria. Little did Tomika know though, that a custom wrapped bouquet, celebratory gift bag from the bookstore, and secret photographer (me!) were all waiting there for her.
I absolutely love being in on the scheme during a surprise proposal session, so I very happily picked up Tonya's flowers for Tomika before setting up at Friends to Lovers. I actually posted a TikTok with some behind the scenes that did surprisingly well for someone who isn't always sure what I'm doing on social media! The bookstore had a pop-up that day, which came in handy when Tomika asked me why I was taking photos of her and Tonya—I very quickly said I was photographing the event. My years of college improv definitely came in handy in that moment.
The love, joy, and laughter Tonya and Tomika share is infectious. As soon as Tomika said "Yes!" the bookstore erupted in cheers and congratulatory remarks. Despite all the attention, they were locked in on each other—buzzing with the excitement of the commitment they had just made with each other. As a LGBTQ+ photographer, it truly does make my heart so happy to photograph other queer couples and these milestone moments for them. (And a favorite moment from this session was Tomika figuring out I had a wife and saying "I knew I liked you!").
My proposal sessions always include a mini engagement session, giving you and your partner something to send to family and friends or post on social media (plus it's also just fun!). We ran around Old Town Alexandria, going to the iconic rainbow sidewalk for some photos, walking down King Street and through Market Square.
It could not have been a more beautiful day, a more beautiful proposal, and a more beautiful couple.
