She said yes!

Wow, what a rewarding day it has been! Let me tell you the story from the beginning.

Dustin and Candace are friends of Andy and I and when things started to get serious I told Dustin that I wanted to shoot the proposal for him. This is something that I have been wanting to do. I keep thinking what a fabulous additional surprise that would be. Well like most of my ideas I say it and just hope that someone will take me up on it.

About 2 weeks ago Dustin called me from WY, where he has been working. He picked the date. Today Thursday the 22nd, the anniversary of his parents and both of his grandparents. He thought at first that the McCrory Gardens would be nice since she is was a horticulture major. Then decided that being outdoors and kayaking was more them. So Oakwood State Park it is.

Fast forward through a few phone calls to yesterday. We went and scouted the locations, created my little blind to hide behind and cleared sticks so I wouldn't make too many cracking sounds. Coordinated times, approach and a friend to stop possible interferences.

Well today I got to see the ring (which is awesome by the way) and Dustin in the afternoon while he was putting the finishing touches on everything. He was so excited you could tell. It was awesome. Then I got my equipment ready and came home to work while I waited. I left here a bit early and headed out. I needed to get into position with out being seen.

Ok so here they come approaching the shore, Burton sitting on Dustin's lap. I was so nervous I'd be seen and ruin the whole thing, so I shot conservatively in case she would hear the shutter. Then it happened he took her out on the dock, sat and cuddeled with her, got up then got down on one knee, asked, she said YES, and they celebrated with hugs, kisses, smiles, jumping, cheers, and tears. I had to hold myself back from crying and jumping with them.

I stayed hidden for a full 20 minutes before she finally heard me. By that time it was too late, I got all the natural emotion. O it was fabulous! What a wonderful day and Candace was so glad I got it all on camera. Later I joined them at Skinners Pub with family and friends. You see the surprises didn't stop there. We told her we would be meeting later for drinks, but really it ended up being dinner with all the parents. Then they were going for a drink across the street and surprise- all their friends were there waiting. Candace and Dustin where both just beaming, ear to ear smiles and lots of hugs. Have I said yet this is fabulous?

Be sure to follow their story here cause we have a lot more planned. Your own AC Ellis love story or whatever we end up calling it. Can't wait for the e-shoot and wedding!

Love you guys! Thank you so much for letting share and capture such an incredibly special moment. It was amazing!
Cory Ann

You know you want to see the whole thing!