PROPOSAL AT THE FALLS

Jayden wanted to set up a surprise proposal for his girlfriend of 10 years. They were high school sweethearts, yet attended college at separate universities all while staying long distance loves, and both graduated college last spring. Talk about a love story, they are still going as strong as ever. Jayden booked a weekend stay at the Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie, which sits on the ridge overlooking the Snoqualmie Falls in the most breathtaking way. Setting up this surprise proposal so Cassidy didn’t catch on was a little tricky, but thankfully they have never had professional photos done together and it was something that she has wanted. So, we played that angle and he told her that he booked a couples photographer to celebrate their anniversary — perfect!

When the time came, I positioned Cassidy just so Jayden could get down on one knee and be ready when she turned towards him. He was so nervous the whole time, so I actually set the proposal sequence up earlier than planned so he didn’t have to sweat it out much longer and could enjoy the rest of shoot. Proposals like this are so beautiful, you get to run the gauntlet of emotions with a couple so in love at such a special moment in their lives.

PASS REQUIRED

In order to have a session at the base of Snoqualmie Falls, you need to purchase a special permit/pass. I carry one so I can photograph there, but it is now also required that the couple purchase a pass as well. This is a good thing which helps keep our local areas cleaner and well respected, as well as educate people on the native lands and safety necessary. The permit/pass can take several months to be approved, so if you want a shoot here let me know so this can be planned accordingly.

SAFETY NOTE : Also, being from the Snoqualmie Valley, I am very keen as to what is safe and what is not safe regarding the Falls and the surrounding rivers. The rocks below can be exceedingly slippery, the logs that build up during flood season tend to be very unstable and break thru when walked on, and the current can be very cold and unrecognizably fast. We have several, SEVERAL, drownings a year throughout the valley mainly from tourists who think the river is safe when it is actually not. So given all this, if you inquire for a session here and I say it is not safe to shoot there at this time and give dates that would be better, please listen and do not try to book with another photographer who is not from the area. I have seen and heard many horrible stories about people going down to the base of the Falls when it is not safe. There are so many things that can go wrong in a matter of seconds and given the access point, it is very hard to get crews down there fast enough to help.