When my friend Andrew called me and asked me to photograph his proposal to his beautiful girlfriend Nicole on Folly Beach, I knew it was going to be a great shoot. Great, but nerve wracking. What if she caught on? What if we got rained out? What if I ugly cried, like full Claire Danes style?

Spoiler alert: she did not catch on until he dropped to one knee, we almost got rained out but instead got epic skies (and freezing cold weather), I kept my tearing up to the socially acceptable range, and most importantly… SHE SAID YES!

Andrew had a plan from the start, which made my job so much easier. He told Nicole they were doing Christmas card photos (hence that bright red dress that was more perfect than I ever could have hoped for against our moody winter backdrop) so it wouldn’t be weird when all the sudden some woman with a camera popped out of the bushes at like, one of the best moments of their lives. Note to men planning to propose: this is a great way to get awesome photos without freaking out your fiancé during an epic moment.

He also picked a beautiful location! The driftwood and the rocks added such a cool visual element to his proposal, some real Folly Beach flavor. We walked around shooting for about 40 minutes before he dropped to one knee and whipped out that ring, so when you look at these photos I want you to remember something: this is how happy she is with him BEFORE she had any idea he was about to ask her to marry him.

I love it. 

After what felt like probably an eternity to both me and Andrew, we finally reached the sea wall, his chosen place for the proposal. Andrew popped the question against this epic backdrop and they both cried and snuggled and laughed. 

It seriously could not have been a more perfect proposal. I am so happy for Andrew and Nicole, I think you can tell by the “before” photos that these two have a blast together. I drove away thinking that they’re going to spend the rest of their lives laughing and playing their way through the moody and cold days and that getting to share in such sweet, life-altering moments is a really special part about being a photographer. 

Congrats, Andrew and Nicole! You deserve every happiness this world has to offer.

Want to see more Charleston photography sessions by Reese Moore Photography? Click here for images from a Charleston bridal luncheon at the Old Village Post House Inn and here for a Christmas Card mini-session in Hampton Park.