Experience Maple Hill

I tried to get this blog post up on Valentine’s (because it’s so so so romantic!) but after I spent over an hour writing something really sweet and personal about “this is really amazing couple!” my web browser crashed on me! I was so upset I just didn’t have time to write it all over again. Anyways with all that said let’s start again from square one.

Stefanie and JD are some of the coolest peeps I’ve met in a long time! I love the fact that I have successfully maneuvered my way into Stephanie’s family. It all started a year ago when her sister came to meet for Jaxson’s 1st Birthday session. A couple of months later I got a call for Stephanie’s Senior pictures when she graduated from UNLV… Then this past winter I got to meet the entire family up at Calico Basin for their family holiday photoshoot. So obviously I was totally thrilled when JD called me to ask if I would photograph his SURPRISE proposal to Stephanie at the Neon Museum!

I could not believe when they arrived just how calm JD was! I don’t know what I expected but he was so at ease that it kind of got me thinking — maybe he had change his mind! Just joking! Stephanie of course was her usual happy-go-lucky self and it was obvious that she didn’t have a clue what was about to happen. For all she knew JD had just purchased a couple’s photoshoot and here they were… just like any other day! The shoot was going really well…And about halfway through Brooke pulled me aside and told me that JD wanted to propose to Stephanie at a particular spot where we had seen a sign that said ‘Paris’ on it. I didn’t know this at the time but Stephanie and JD had met each other at the Paris Hotel here in Las Vegas and so naturally he thought that would be the ideal spot! From a photographer’s standpoint it was pretty hilarious how it all went down. I knew he wanted to do this ‘properly’ so in my mind I thought what a great idea for me to set up a scenario in which eventually he would be on one knee and be able to pop the question. So I talked them through this little scene with him standing behind one of the signs looking at her from a distance ‘click,click,click’, then JD walking around the sign, extending his hand and eventually getting on one knee ‘click, click, click…. Click Click!!! But NO ring!!! Once again I thought maybe he changed his mind?? But of course he hadn’t! Just as we started to pack up to move onto the next spot he pulled ‘IT’ out. It was so romantic! Brooke and I just kept clicking our cameras but of course by this point they we all caught up on ‘la-la land’ and of course, Stephanie’s hair was total in her face! I really didn’t know what to do but decided not to interfere with this very special moment and just keep things as natural possible. After all, they are engaged now and that’s all that really matters!

Congratulations again Stephanie and JD! I can’t wait to photograph your wedding this December!!!

BTW – Huge thanks to Brooke Rogall and Ally Downer for their amazing assistance!

Maple Hill Photography, On-location and Studio Custom Photographer Norina Leyde – 702.419.8020

WEBSITE -  BLOG