MY ACCOUNT
Checkout
Courses + Products
SHOP

Brandon + Caroline’s Proposal

A Surprise Proposal at Crabtree Falls

filed in:

Caroline and I have grown up together. We literally have stories of the two of us in the nursery together…. and she used to bite me! Thankfully, we out grew that phase very quickly and we were best buds! I would spend the night at their house and she would come over and play as often as our moms would let us get together!! We have so many amazing memories together and I’m about to share with you one of my favorite memories to date!!!

Several weeks prior to May 15th, I received a call from a number that I didn’t recognize. I rarely answer those calls but this time I decided to and sure enough, I knew that voice. It was Brandon. As soon as I realized who it was, I knew what was happening and I started squealing like a middle school girl!!! I’ve been praying for my sweet friend to find her husband for years and every time we would talk about relationships and dating, I would always remind her that when she finds “the one”, it’s not going to be up to her to make it happen. God has all of those things in his hands and he had one incredible guy waiting for her!

Brandon and I chatted and texted about the location, the weather and the game plan. We were all set to photograph the proposal! Michael decided to REALLY get into it and he made a pit stop at Walmart and bought us our very own CAMO! ha!! I made fun of this decision but it turned out to be a GENIUS idea because we were INVISIBLE in the woods!!

Michael and I booked it up the mountain so that we could be there before they arrived! I was so nervous! Proposals make me freak out a little!! I found a perfect little hiding spot and we WAITED. Brandon and Caroline made their way up the mountain and as soon as brandon dropped to one knee, I started crying. I was shooting but oh man, my exposure was all over the place because of my emotional state!! Michael captured the BEST images from this proposal and I’m SO thankful that he was there!!

Caroline SREAMED when she realized that I was taking pictures in the woods and I was still a mess!! We hugged and cried some more. God is so good. She obviously said YES and we made our way back down the mountain. However, we had ZERO cell service and so our families were waiting to celebrate at a local brewery and they had NO IDEA where we were. So, once we hit a 3G area, we were all flooded with texts that read “Are you guys ok?! Did she say YES?!”. haha We were ok…. we just took our sweet time coming down the mountain because we were so excited AND there were some gorgeous waterfalls to take pictures with! Enjoy some of my favorites from this fun day!!

We are so excited for these two and their 2016 fall wedding that is going to be here before we know it!!! Love you Brandon and Caroline!! Congratulations!!!!

PS. This first image is of Michael in his “spot!” Look closely, he’s pretty much invisible! 😃

Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1591 Screenshot 2016-06-19 12.13.27 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1592 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1593 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1594 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1595 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1596

hahaha! This is CLASSIC CAROLINE! She saw someone taking pictures but she didn’t know it was ME until this shot! haha YAY CAMO!

Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1597 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1598 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1599 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1600 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1601 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1602 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1603 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1604 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1605 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1606 Surprise proposal Crabtree Falls_1607

Thanks for reading!

— Katelyn

Kelly Sea & Katelyn James

Ep. 34 | How She is Booking 90+ Weddings a Year And staying sane while doing it!

Kelly is an incredible wedding photographer who has been shooting 90 weddings a year. I know, it sounds unbelievable, but it’s true! Kelly’s success and the volume of work she handles is truly impressive.

READ MORE
The Katelyn James Podcast

Your sessions should be working FOR you not against you!

Free Posing Class
READ MORE

Free Posing Class The KJ Way

Education
Manual Mode Made Easy

Mastering Manual Mode The Simple Way!

Shooting in manual mode might seem complex and overwhelming at first but there is an easier way!

READ MORE
Youtube
Lightroom Classic Beginner Guide

Lightroom Classic Starter Guide Everything You Need to Get Started!

Welcome to your Lightroom Classic Starter Guide video!

READ MORE
Youtube

I’m breaking down the MUST-HAVE ITEMS that every photographer needs to be successful at the start of their career! 

5 Essentials to Turn Pro
READ MORE

5 Essentials Beginners Need to Go Pro and make your photography business a success!

Youtube

Danny + Megan A Biltmore Estate Wedding

Oh where do I begin? This wasn’t just another wedding for me. This was a legacy KJ Wedding and I have been looking forward to it ever since my first email from Danny and Megan!

READ MORE
Weddings

READER FAVORITES

"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”

- Kara Abbey, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”

- Shannon Drummond, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”

- Kate gansneder, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”

- Angie mcpherson, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”

- Brittany Lowe, ALl ACCESS MEMBER

"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"

- Joanna Krueger, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER
10 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business
Helping a friend survive a season of Infant Loss
How to photograph a first look in Harsh Light
OUR KJ COUPLES REUNION
A Lake Como Destination Wedding - Greg and Kate
A Letter to the Go-Getters fearful of Motherhood

The KJ blog
must-reads

The KJ Blog is where you get to know me, where you meet our KJ Couples and see their beautiful wedding days, where I have been building an archive of education for over a decade and where I let you see a peek into our life, our home, and hear about our purpose! 
don't miss the
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

YOUTUBE

Join 93,000+ others and learn, grow and get connected via our Youtube Channel! This is where I'm constantly sharing new content, talking all things gear, business, tips, tricks and letting you into the behind-the-scenes of our everyday life! 
MORE FREE EDUCATION + CUTE BABIES ON
WATCH NOW

"I have invested in all of KJ’s education!

The way she teaches makes so much sense and I’m so grateful for her! My business will be forever changed!"

- Renee Nicolo

"KJ education has been life-changing

 It has elevated my work so I could quit my day job and work from home with our baby boy!"

- joanna k.

"I'VE INVESTED IN SO MANY RESOURCES... 

and none compare to what I get from KJ!"

- LAUREN M.