The proposal in the park in the rain

[Shay Stephens]

It broke a record that day, the most rain to fall in Central Park for that day, I think it was 5.5 inches, and it felt like I absorbed most of it.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503392_y5wfs-L.jpg



After watching the ducks for a while a couple came strolling down the walkway, hand in hand:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503383_hxCXy-L.jpg


Only to stop on top of Bow Bridge. He held her hand, kissed her, and talked for a few minutes:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503386_Jc7xG-L.jpg

And then it happened:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503397_Z7wbo-L.jpg

She was shocked, let out a scream, and forgot that she was holding on to an umbrella:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503404_4YhuV-L.jpg http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503416_3Us5X-L.jpg
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503420_ZHE8a-L.jpg

They held, and kissed, and said sweet nothings to each other. They were on cloud nine!

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503428_tCCgx-L.jpg

And then it sank in:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503434_TBG8N-L.jpg

A few more minutes past to regain composure, and then he introduced us. We gave our congratulations, provided some dry tissues and smiles. A brief stroll through the park followed as we all walked back to the streets to get our cabs, but along the way we stopped for a photo or two to take advantage of the beautiful atmosphere only a rainy day can provide:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503438_uzYRF-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/349503446_gCZzD-L.jpg

[Andy]

:jawdrop

True mastery. The embodiment of professional work.

[DavidTO]

Wow, what a moment! Great shots! :clap

You planned that down to the T with the guy, eh? Did you walk Central Park with him to pick the spot?

[wxwax]

Oh my gosh.

This is beautiful in every way. The setting, the tones, the emotions, the framing, vignetting, all of it is wonderful.

Classic stuff, Shay. Fantastic.

:bow

[wxwax]

I assume you agreed beforehand that it would be on the bridge?

I gotta say, despite what must have been careful planning, my favorite shots are the ones you couldn't have planned for: him whirling her around, and kissing against the fence.

Fantastic.

[Seneca]

How sweet was that...very impressive. :thumb

[Shay Stephens]

It was all done through the internet and phone calls. He actually lives in San Diego. So we told him where to go and where to be. Jen wears a red baret hat so we are easy to spot to someone who knows what to look for :wink

It was interesting too, all the rain caused the highway to flood, so had we not left early, we would have been late due to traffic! As it turned out he was the late by about 45 minutes. But we told him not to worry if he was late, we would stay there till he showed up or we were swept away hehehe. So it all went off without a hitch!

We are in talks now about shooting their wedding next year!

[Shay Stephens]

I assume you agreed beforehand that it would be on the bridge?

I gotta say, despite what must have been careful planning, my favorite shots are the ones you couldn't have planned for: him whirling her around, and kissing against the fence.

Fantastic.

tehehe, both those shots were posed. When we do pose (we try to limit it), we try to pose it so they look natural, so I am glad it looks natural to you :-)

[Andy]

Jen wears a red baret hat so we are easy to spot to someone who knows what to look for

I'd think it'd be easier to tell them to look for the really short guy with big feet (http://www.pbase.com/stfchallenge/image/709541.jpg) :lol3

[Shay Stephens]

I'd think it'd be easier to tell them to look for the really short guy with big feet (http://www.pbase.com/stfchallenge/image/709541.jpg) :lol3

Well you know, it was raining so I had to wear shoes, and that just makes me totally unrecognizable!

[dragon300zx]

These are great shots Shay. Very inspiring.

[urbanaries]

I'd think it'd be easier to tell them to look for the really short guy with big feet (http://www.pbase.com/stfchallenge/image/709541.jpg) :lol3
shay's avatar is a tad easier on the eyes...:D


Thanks for sharing this poignant, beautiful set. What amazing customer service....kudos to the groom for thinking ahead. They'd be insane not to hire you for their wedding? If I were her, I'd wear a gown from Goodwill before I'd let someone else photograph us after that magazine cover umbrella-twirling shot.

(how'd the non-weather-sealed body hold up?)

[gmonkeh]

True story book setting, awesome job Shane. We're you hiding in the bushes for these shots? :wink

[Seefutlung]

Wow! Great Stuff from technical to composition ... to story line. At first I thought it was all happenstance ... crazy photog testing out the seals and stumbled upon a Singing in the Rain song and dance thing ... Even though many of the shots were poised ... the rain made it a great story.

Gary

PS- Gotta tell ya ... very disappointed that it was not pure happenstance ... man ... that would have absolutely, postively, great with a cherry on top ... now the shots are merely great ... no cherry.
G

[Shay Stephens]

(how'd the non-weather-sealed body hold up?)

It held up very good with the right protocols. I used a lens hood on the 70-200, a rainjacket over the lens and camera, and Jen holding a big golf style umbrella for the both of us. The only thing that got semi-wet equipment wise was my camera bag outer pockets.

So I am going to be looking for a new bag with better weather protection. But I was happy this time around and didn't have any equipment failures due to moisture! I have a wedding tomorrow and my sensor doesn't even need cleaning!

Jen and I were soaked to the bone, and I had fun walking through puddles and mini-lakes on the way back to the car :D

[Shay Stephens]

True story book setting, awesome job Shay. We're you hiding in the bushes for these shots? :wink

I was just off the bridge,shooting scenics when they came on the bridge. She was surprised when we were revealed for who we were :wink

http://www.shaystephens.com/galleries/iforgot/iforgot062.jpg

[wxwax]

tehehe, both those shots were posed. When we do pose (we try to limit it), we try to pose it so they look natural, so I am glad it looks natural to you :-)
:lol3 Fooled me!

[David_S85]

Shay, phenomenal results from the meticulous planning (oh, and skill :wink ). Even with the foul weather, these are superb. I even think the rain helped focus the mood on the couple that much more. :thumb

[Shay Stephens]

Shay, phenomenal results from the meticulous planning (oh, and skill :wink ). Even with the foul weather, these are superb. I even think the rain helped focus the mood on the couple that much more. :thumb

As much as I hate shooting in the rain...I just love shooting in the rain! There is no other atmosphere like it. And it is little wonder that movie directors use it so frequently!

[Shay Stephens]

PS- Gotta tell ya ... very disappointed that it was[n't] pure happenstance

I'll try harder next time :wink

[FotoChick]

To put this proposing man's level of commitment into prospective, he said “rain or shine”, and as it turned out Central Park got a half a years rainfall for him, in one afternoon! :uhoh


It was sooo sweet, I was actually was crying by the the time he pointed us out to her. :cry:waveWhen we got back to the car my long black cashmere coat was soggy and dripping with water, it weighed about 35 lbs when I laid it in the trunk!


It was a total blast though! :ivar

Jen

[wxwax]

To put this proposing man's level of commitment into prospective, he said “rain or shine”, and as it turned out Central Park got a half a years rainfall for him, in one afternoon! :uhoh


It was sooo sweet, I was actually was crying by the the time he pointed us out to her. :cry:waveWhen we got back to the car my long black cashmere coat was soggy and dripping with water, it weighed about 35 lbs when I laid it in the trunk!


It was a total blast though! :ivar

Jen


I've been wondering how he talked her into taking a walk in a downpour!

[shatch]

Shay,
When I grow up I want to be like you. :D
Those shots are fantastic! Very inspiring. I'm praying for rain and getting my goloshes out.

Thanks for sharing.

[Nikolai]

"True warrior turns the seeming disadvantage into a victory".
Old Chinese wisdom

:bow

[Ann McRae]

:bow:bow:bow and :jawdrop



Good gosh!
1. that you to stayed out in the rain waiting
2. that he managed to get her there
3. that he actually proposed on one knee

all of these things are almost as amazing as the photos!!! These are stupendous!

[coldclimb]

Breathtaking Shay, what an incredible thing to do. Nice work! Just awesome!

[Ted Szukalski]

Let me join the chorus: this is excellent work. They'd be crazy now if they don't book you for the wedding.

[Shay Stephens]

Thank's everybody! Glad you are enjoying them :D

[Mrs F]

This series of photos is simply fantastic. I can't wipe the smile from my face. The whole world should get to see these!

[saurora]

OMG you're so beyond good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You had me going by the 2nd shot........tears started welling, party because the shots are so incredibly beautiful and partly because I'm such a romantic!!! :lust These are amazing Shay, and you just reminded me why I love photography so much! :saurora

[photogmomma]

Just spectacular. Amazing. Gorgeous!!

[JenGrace]

These made me a little teary-eyed too. What an emotional set. :thumb

[ivar]

Shay, these are absolutely great! I do also like the way you processed them, just amazing.

It seems you like that bridge in the rain (http://www.shaystephens.com/proposal.php), huhh?

[Mitchell]

I'm speechless. These are truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing them!

[Cason]

Shay, these are absolutely great! I do also like the way you processed them, just amazing.

It seems you like that bridge in the rain (http://www.shaystephens.com/proposal.php), huhh?

I think he installed one of those overhead sprinkler systems and turns it on to get the shot. :D

[brambo76]

How wonderful! I love the moment and the atmosphere... Amazing work!

Thanks for sharing your work. I didn't know you could do that in the rain.

[JillG]

WOW. Each one is beautiful, and the set and story s amazing.:bow Thanks for sharing these with us.
Jill

[Zanotti]

These are some of the best photographs I have ever seen on Smugmug!

I just showed them to my family - and said this is why I cary the camera and like to shoot so much. Its a chance to someday get a shot like these.

Very well done, thanks so much for sharing.

Z

[binghott]

oh shay, i love your work. if you ever need an additional assistant or 2nd photog in ny, i would be honored just to be near you.:bow these are fantastic!:clap

Shay, these are absolutely great! I do also like the way you processed them, just amazing.

It seems you like that bridge in the rain (http://www.shaystephens.com/proposal.php), huhh?

nice catch ivar, same spot. shay, maybe you should change the words on the top of you page to "artistic | scripted" :D

[Zygote]

Very moving set of pictures. Fantastic!! :clap

[W00DY]

I know I am late in seeing these, but these photos should never die.

:bow

Simply amazing, I only show my wife the best images on the web... She looked at these ones three times.

Thanks for sharing and making me think the images I took on the weekend were just family happy snaps :rofl

Cheers.

[winger]

I was just off the bridge,shooting scenics when they came on the bridge. She was surprised when we were revealed for who we were :wink

http://www.shaystephens.com/galleries/iforgot/iforgot062.jpg

Thats great. I love the super stealth mode, capturing the action as it happening (or making it appear as such with the last couple). Really an inspiration to where I would like to be heading with my non sports, people shots!

Thanks for posting these.

[DoctorIt]

Dear Shay,
you are a big jerk.

Dear Shay's client/friend,
you are an even bigger jerk!


If MrsIt sees these, my proposal and resulting shots will pale in comparison! :lol3
(excellent, excellent stuff :bow)

[Shay Stephens]

Dear Shay,
you are a big jerk.

Dear Shay's client/friend,
you are an even bigger jerk!


If MrsIt sees these, my proposal and resulting shots will pale in comparison! :lol3
(excellent, excellent stuff :bow)

Oh my! Hahahaha. I have been most inconsiderate, and apologize profusely for my uber-jerkiness!

And another thank you to those who recently responded that were not harmed or potentially harmed by my careless post :rofl

[kmphua]

Exquisite. I'm speechless... :bow

[ziggy53]

Making your own destiny, that is what separates the "good" from the "great" among us. True "greatness" in this thread. :bow

Bravo and bravissimo Shay! :thumb:thumb:thumb

... and you are so fortunate to have such a lovely and talented assistant! :clap


(Jen, take a bow.) :barb

Such a story this young couple gets to tell, and now to show! I hope they are blessed with children who can share in this story.

Wow!

[ian408]

I always like looking at your shots. Light & composition are just great.
You and Jen are a great team and your hard work is evident.

[FotoChick]

WOW!!! Thank you everyone for your moving comments, it makes our job even more enjoyable when so many enjoy the images too.
:smile6

[Bob&Glennie]

If the measure of an artist's work is the emotion that it invokes in it's viewers then ... I cried!
Absolutely beautiful!!!

Bob

[ChrisJ]

Can't really say much more... these are breathtaking. :bow

Anyone know Mrs. It's e-mail address? :wink

[Elaine]

I'm on vacation right now and haven't been posting, but I had to chime in on this one...LOVE IT! The story line and the pictures...simply beautiful. How very special for them to have these. Just super wonderful stuff!!! Thank you for sharing your talents with us, Shay!

Elaine

[Jeroen]

Wow, that is the first time someone actually got me sobbing over a series of photographs... But I'm a hopless romantic.
Congrats and lots of respect... that is one very fine series you did :lust

[DoctorIt]

Can't really say much more... these are breathtaking.

Anyone know Mrs. It's e-mail address? :wink<moving Chris to banned list...> :lol3

[ChrisJ]

<moving Chris to banned list...> :lol3
Oh, n[banned]

[Derno]

wow these are great, amazing job capturing the moment! the rain helped a lot too, set a great mood!

[esc2476]

Shay/Jen-

These are spectacular. I really could not imagine a better storyline or the people behind the cameras who captured it.

Bravo!

[TylerW]

http://www.shaystephens.com/galleries/iforgot/iforgot091.jpg



Posed or not, this one is jaw-droppingly spectacular.

[Shay Stephens]

Wow, that is the first time someone actually got me sobbing over a series of photographs... But I'm a hopless romantic.
Congrats and lots of respect... that is one very fine series you did :lust

Interesting, I found myself tearing up putting the post together. They were an emotional couple and that no doubt spills over into the photos!

Thank you all for the comments!

[dogwood]

Yup-- quite the series. Very, very, very nice! :thumb

[ultravox]

One picture is worth a thousand words...but you're story is a killer.
:bow:bow:bow

[winger]

Can't really say much more... these are breathtaking. :bow

Anyone know Mrs. It's e-mail address? :wink

I am sure I could find it :-P

[Shay Stephens]

I am sure I could find it :-P

Just remember, the good Doctor has just received his new real doctor super powers. So don't make him angry, you wouldn't like him when he is angry hehehe

http://www.simpsonstrivia.com.ar/simpsons-photos/wallpapers/homer-hulk.gif

[StevenV]

Was that the same bridge on which a particular Mr. Parker was dissapointed by M.J. in the released-this-week movie, I wonder.

[MyView]

Everything about this is absolutely incredible. You captured so amazingly something that they will now have forever, it won't just be a moment in time that changed their life forever, they have it to share with everyone. And I will say, I had absolute chills following this. These images have so much feeling and are so inspiring.

You did an amazing job, absolutely amazing!!!!

[Shay Stephens]

Was that the same bridge on which a particular Mr. Parker was dissapointed by M.J. in the released-this-week movie, I wonder.

Yes, same bridge indeed!

[Shay Stephens]

I had absolute chills following this. These images have so much feeling and are so inspiring.

Thank you Lissa! I love hearing that my photos evoke an emotional response, it puts a smile on my face :D

Thanks again!

[StevenV]

Yes, same bridge indeed!
I thought it looked familiar in the theatre tonight. After the movie I told my wife the story of this thread, then showed her when we got home... she loved it... "that's awesome."

[p27rpy]

beautiful shots. they look straight from a movie!
great emotion in all of them

[Chrissiebeez_NL]

i second that!

[Paulcao]

These are eggggscelllent--- what more is there to say--:barb

[DavidS]

Simply awesome.

[CookieS]

Most Excellent images. Looks like I will have to sock away another chunk of $ and get to the orlando workshop. Will you be covering lighting and posing and stuff like this. Im Awed. and i dont usually shoot people , This makes me want to start :)

[Shay Stephens]

Most Excellent images. Looks like I will have to sock away another chunk of $ and get to the orlando workshop. Will you be covering lighting and posing and stuff like this. Im Awed. and i dont usually shoot people , This makes me want to start :)

I am so glad you liked them. I am really looking forward to Orlando, Florida is one of the few states I have not been to yet!

The first two days will cover lighting and posing and the photojournalistic style. The third day will put that into practice during the wedding and portrait shoot.

During the wedding, everyone will have a chance to shoot as the main photographer and as the "B Roll" photographer. And during the portraits, each will get a chance to be the main photographer and then the lighting assistant.

The fourth day is more about what to do with those photos now that you have them, workflow, deliverables, and the like. I hope to see you there :D

And a big thank you to all who have commented.

[winger]

Just remember, the good Doctor has just received his new real doctor super powers. So don't make him angry, you wouldn't like him when he is angry hehehe

http://www.simpsonstrivia.com.ar/simpsons-photos/wallpapers/homer-hulk.gif

I fear not the good Doctor. My zamboni trumps bus anyday. It has blades and augers!!!!

I dont know if I have ever seen Erik angry, annoyed and stressed yes...not picturing angry though.

[Shay Stephens]

I fear not the good Doctor. My zamboni trumps bus anyday. It has blades and augers!!!!

I dont know if I have ever seen Erik angry, annoyed and stressed yes...not picturing angry though.

hahaha...forget Erik, fear the auger!!! hahahaha

I may have nightmares...

[JimM]

Absolutely amazing work Shay! Unbelievable and truly inspiring to anyone that sees them. Thank you for sharing them with us!

[Ozimax]

Shay,

I havn't seen any of your images for several years now. (I used to post on dpreview back in the Sony F707 days, and only stumbled across dgrin yesterday).

In a few words, this series of shots in the rain borders on the unbelievable. I don't think I've seen too many better images anywhere. My wife and daughter were crowded round the monitor last night as we just sat back and enjoyed this series. Almost brings a tear to the eye...

I look forward to spending some more time on dgrin in the coming weeks.

Regards,

Max Young

[Shay Stephens]

Shay,

I havn't seen any of your images for several years now. (I used to post on dpreview back in the Sony F707 days, and only stumbled across dgrin yesterday).

In a few words, this series of shots in the rain borders on the unbelievable. I don't think I've seen too many better images anywhere. My wife and daughter were crowded round the monitor last night as we just sat back and enjoyed this series. Almost brings a tear to the eye...

I look forward to spending some more time on dgrin in the coming weeks.

Regards,

Max Young

Hi Max!
Those were the days huh? Well I am so glad you found Dgrin, it has all the flavor of the old STF without all the fat and calories hehehe.

And thank you for the comments! It means a lot to hear that they have had such an impact on so many.

Thanks again, and welcome home :clap
Shay

[TristanP]

Just stumbled across the thread Shay and had to chime in. The series and story behind it is great but the last pic (leaning on the fence) is spectacular. Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us.

[Thiago Sigrist]

Dude.

This blew me away. Shay, you're the man! :thumb

Now for something curious: did you know here in Brazil we absolutely don't have this tradition of making a big deal of proposals? Seriously!

To give you an idea: I have a friend of mine who's been a photographer for something close to 40 years, and he's done pretty much everything (even though he concentrates on weddings) and he's never done a proposal shoot. Curious huh?

Back to the topic, I was about to call you a great professional, but I think you're something more. Photography doesn't seem like only a job to you Shay, and that makes the good photographer, to my eye!

Congratulations on your great job, and thanks for this very cool post!
Take care!

-- thiago

[adewri]

This is amazing! Just awsome. So much emotions involved. Loved it. Thanks a lot for sharing.

[Seneca]

These pictures still gives me goosebumps when I see them. I've posted already, but the love and emotion is just so priceless.

I've seen some really good proposals...but this one that he set up, is just awesome. He seems like a very romantic type of guy. :clap

[Shay Stephens]

These pictures still gives me goosebumps when I see them. I've posted already, but the love and emotion is just so priceless.

I've seen some really good proposals...but this one that he set up, is just awesome. He seems like a very romantic type of guy. :clap

He is, but we had to warn him away from being too romantic! He wanted me, at first, to shoot secretly, and deliver the photos so he could surprise her with them on their 5th or 10th year anniversary.

We told him there would be much more excitement and it would turn out more romantic if the photos were not kept secret. He finally agreed, and much to everyones delight. Sharing the photos right away is the best, keeping them secret wastes all that potential excitment.

[Awais Yaqub]

I am speech less after watching this one
Great work as always
http://www.shaystephens.com/galleries/iforgot/iforgot091.jpg

[com3]

Wow!

[dancinkate]

Beautiful shots Shay! The shot where she's swinging around him is fantastic....so amazing!

(makes me want to beat my husband for not planning something like that for his proposal :rofl)

[webcase]

Beautiful shots .:thumb

[stevemaller]

nice catch ivar, same spot. shay, maybe you should change the words on the top of you page to "artistic | scripted" :D

Err...you have your logical operators wrong, dude. That's artistic && scripted. :D

[getafix]

when I saw your photos I just had to register just so I could say what awsome work youv'e got right there... just as one of the posters here said this is the stuff that reminds me why I lilke photography so much.

keep up the good work.


hope MY wife does not see these photos :)

[Shay Stephens]

when I saw your photos I just had to register just so I could say what awsome work youv'e got right there... just as one of the posters here said this is the stuff that reminds me why I lilke photography so much.

keep up the good work.


hope MY wife does not see these photos :)

Sweet! :clap

I am glad you made the effort to sign up! When we can make photos that move people emotionally, we have done our jobs well. That is one goal I continually strive to keep in the forefront of my mind. I find it easy to get side tracked by things that don't necessarilly contribute to that goal. Your post helps to remind me of the importance of keeping it in mind.

Thank you!

And a thank you for the other comments that came in since my last post too.

[Seneca]

I am speech less after watching this one
Great work as always
http://www.shaystephens.com/galleries/iforgot/iforgot091.jpg


I agree...I am amazed how he can hold her with one arm, and still hold the umbrella...what a guy!:lust

[gefillmore]

amazing-

over 80,000 views-

but then, so are the photos-

[DI-Joe]

Shay,

this thread is the whole reason why I'm on this site. I found it using StumbleUpon..

I have to say these are some of the most fantastic candids I've ever seen. They literally brought tears of joy to my eyes upon seeing them. I'm quite impressed with your ability to capture such emotion from afar. The timing on all your shots is absolutely fantastic. Great work!!!

[Shay Stephens]

Shay,

this thread is the whole reason why I'm on this site. I found it using StumbleUpon..

I have to say these are some of the most fantastic candids I've ever seen. They literally brought tears of joy to my eyes upon seeing them. I'm quite impressed with your ability to capture such emotion from afar. The timing on all your shots is absolutely fantastic. Great work!!!
Sweet! Glad you found dgrin! It has been the best photography forums for me. And I am really glad to hear that the images moved you emotionally. That also means that photography has a grip on your soul hehehe. That's good, you can use that to infuse your own work and make others cry.

Making people cry is one of my higher goals :wink

One of the ways to achieve that is with careful content editing of the delivered photos so that the gallery of images tells a story and leads the viewer along. If you can do that, the emotion can build to a climax and tears are the release.

Too often, photographers fall into the trap of providing a gallery that emphasizes quantity over story telling quality, and that emotional buildup never happens because the story gets interrupted by unneeded and repetitious images.

Better a small story telling gallery than a bulk warehouse sized gallery of images without a clear story.

[b2pix]

Wow.. that's fantastic.

[soar.]

Found the site exactly how the other guy did, StumbleUpon, and those are some nice pictures.

[emmalou]

Amazing.......it sure moved me!:lust What a wonderful gift for his soon to be bride........

THe storyline was perfect.

[Seneca]

Man this thread is still alive after 148,000 views. AMazing this has be a record for Dgrin.

But I must admit...probably one of the photo series I have ever seen. :thumb

[Shay Stephens]

Ya, this thread has received a ton of traffic. I even got a call last week from the New York Times wanting to interview me about doing proposal photography. It just so happened that I was doing a proposal shoot over the weekend, so they got to interview the happy couple after the fact and may run a story about it in the paper.

[Flyinggina]

I even got a call last week from the New York Times wanting to interview me about doing proposal photography. It just so happened that I was doing a proposal shoot over the weekend, so they got to interview the happy couple after the fact and may run a story about it in the paper.

Now that is really neat. I'll bet the NYT does the article -- we need as much upbeat news as we can get these days. :roflI can't wait to read it.



Virginia

[Seneca]

Ya, this thread has received a ton of traffic. I even got a call last week from the New York Times wanting to interview me about doing proposal photography. It just so happened that I was doing a proposal shoot over the weekend, so they got to interview the happy couple after the fact and may run a story about it in the paper.

Oh my goodness that's wonderful Shay! :clap Wow I bet your business will be booming after that article goes out. :ivar I'm sure you're busy already! Let us know how it turned out. :deal

[k2butter]

Damn, that brought tears to my eyes! WOW!

[~Jan~]

Wow, those are just beyond words. AMAZING!!

[Antonio Correia]

I am glad I saw this thread.
The photos and the idea is really very, very good. :thumb

Congratulations Ray. :D

I am sure you are sorry of the presence of that orange flag back there !

But I think that you can't do anything about it, can you ?

I hope next time, it won't be there :wink

[Hussain-Arts]

this is one of best series have seen ever wooow just wow :thumb :bow

[Gordito]

Shay; I signed up just to be able to leave a note. I am absolutely stunned by the series. I have just started shooting different things myself so by the end of this life I will not be anywhere close to what you are doing but I am having fun.

It is unbelievable how the pictures speak to me and apparently to others as well. I am sending them to all of my friends and they all LOVE them.

You can be very proud of your achievement. Hopefully the couple will last together and be able to enjoy this wonderful record of how their marriage started.

Thank you for sharing the pix - you've got fans in Slovakia now as well.

[Shay Stephens]

Shay; I signed up just to be able to leave a note. I am absolutely stunned by the series. I have just started shooting different things myself so by the end of this life I will not be anywhere close to what you are doing but I am having fun.

It is unbelievable how the pictures speak to me and apparently to others as well. I am sending them to all of my friends and they all LOVE them.

You can be very proud of your achievement. Hopefully the couple will last together and be able to enjoy this wonderful record of how their marriage started.

Thank you for sharing the pix - you've got fans in Slovakia now as well.

Thank you so much! :D it has been great hearing everyones reactions to the photos. And I am glad you signed up. Check out the contest forum too, we have a lot of discussions about art and how to make photos come to life with story and emotion.

[moonbliss]

Absolutely beautiful work, especially for what looks like such a rainy day!

It broke a record that day, the most rain to fall in Central Park for that day, I think it was 5.5 inches, and it felt like I absorbed most of it.

http://www.shaystephens.com/galleries/iforgot/iforgot002.jpg

[squarebear]

By a spooky coincidence I'd been googling "Romantic places to Propose" an hour before I landed on this page courtesy of www.stumbledupon.com (http://www.stumbledupon.com).

The power of these images simply blew me away. I could practically feel the rainfall, and the mounting tension.

I'm absolutely awestruck. Thank you for sharing this.

[dmmattix]

hope MY wife does not see these photos :)

Yeah, I showed them to mine. Her response: Well you didn't do anything like that. After 37 years I should be used to it I guess...:wink

I am with a lot of others, this site is just phenomenal. I am so glad I saw post somewhere pointing me to the site.

Great job Shay.

Mike

[Clickr_Grl]

ok.... it made me tear up a bit... LOL! Great shots Shay and beautiful story! thanks for sharing:thumb

[Patti]

I'm reaching for the kleenex. Absolutely and totally romantic. Your photos capture it perfectly. :clap

[Shay Stephens]

Thank you so much :-D

I love it when I hear tears are shed, that is the ultimate goal :clap

Emotional response, that is what photography is all about ultimately. It is what makes us want to take the photo in the first place, and what makes us want to look at the photo once it is made.

Thanks again for all the comments :D

[BeamCatcher]

Shay: I am simply put... in AWE!!!! I GENUINELY have NEVER EVER.... seen such AMAZING shots! It takes quite a bit to clog up the old tear canal! -But you managed it! I got my GF in to have a look... scrolled down...slowly as she read the txt and saw each picture. Ahh... then when she realized it was for real... no way!!! It can't be...! That's cut from a fairy tale!!! This makes it "slightly" embarrassing to even CONSIDER loading up any photos. Just wondering... and please don't think it's daft question. This whole series seem so extremely well executed and planned, that I wonder... just HOW far you and the groom took it. Was it planned for a day... or from the weather? A friend of mine is nature photographer and published a few books back home. He always said that a major part of a good shot is the setting, and weather... when no one else really fancy going out, THAT's when you have a good deal/chance to get what no one else gets. Anyhow... fantastic work! Really fantastic! I found this site last night and am enjoying every second in here!!! Thanks! Ivar in Dublin :-) :clap :barb :bow

[Shay Stephens]

Shay: I am simply put... in AWE!!!! I GENUINELY have NEVER EVER.... seen such AMAZING shots! It takes quite a bit to clog up the old tear canal! -But you managed it! I got my GF in to have a look... scrolled down...slowly as she read the txt and saw each picture. Ahh... then when she realized it was for real... no way!!! It can't be...! That's cut from a fairy tale!!! This makes it "slightly" embarrassing to even CONSIDER loading up any photos. Just wondering... and please don't think it's daft question. This whole series seem so extremely well executed and planned, that I wonder... just HOW far you and the groom took it. Was it planned for a day... or from the weather? A friend of mine is nature photographer and published a few books back home. He always said that a major part of a good shot is the setting, and weather... when no one else really fancy going out, THAT's when you have a good deal/chance to get what no one else gets. Anyhow... fantastic work! Really fantastic! I found this site last night and am enjoying every second in here!!! Thanks! Ivar in Dublin :-) :clap :barb :bow

He flew in from San Diego and the timing was basically down to one day. We kept up with the weather and let him know is was going to be pouring, he said he was going to do it rain or shine, so we said ok, we will be there too. So the weather was a coincidence, but as it turns out, a happy one. It was wet and miserable conditions, but the beaming happiness of the two made it all worthwhile.

I have been working up to being able to shoot in more challenging conditions over the last couple of years, and this shoot was the payoff for me. And it also cemented in my mind that of your friend, that bad weather is a great time to shoot. It really does add that something special to a shot that is hard to come by on a perfect day.

[Deadlock]

WOW 173, 480 views!!! And long may it continue!:clap

I’ve lurked on and off over the years, but these shots definitely deserve a mention as they are simply stunning.

I totally agree with you about an emotional connection being the heart of an image and this incredibly well crafted series really does play with those emotional heartstrings.

Did you ever get published in the NYT?

[Shay Stephens]

Did you ever get published in the NYT?
We are STILL waiting. Apparently these things have to be shot and submitted really quick and then wait, wait, wait, for it to go to press. A bit frustrating, but I will definitely make a post when we have heard any news on it.

[Shay Stephens]

Ya, this thread has received a ton of traffic. I even got a call last week from the New York Times wanting to interview me about doing proposal photography. It just so happened that I was doing a proposal shoot over the weekend, so they got to interview the happy couple after the fact and may run a story about it in the paper.

The article finally ran in todays (Sep 20th) New York Times. It is in the style section, but I also got a photo on the front page of the paper below the fold! The story follows three couples and the different photographers that shot the photos. So only one of my photos made it, but one is good enough, and my photo was the largest one too :wink

So all in all I am very pleased with the article. I never expected to see my photo on the front page of the paper :barb

[urbanaries]

The article finally ran in todays (Sep 20th) New York Times. It is in the style section, but I also got a photo on the front page of the paper below the fold! The story follows three couples and the different photographers that shot the photos. So only one of my photos made it, but one is good enough, and my photo was the largest one too :wink

So all in all I am very pleased with the article. I never expected to see my photo on the front page of the paper :barb

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/fashion/20proposal.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=style

way cool!! congrats Shay! how weird though that they didn't use any of the pics from the rainy proposal series! :scratch with the NYT, one never knows.

[ChatKat]

Shay -

WOW!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

You could certainly not buy that kind of coverage at any price. That is SO unbelievebly AWESOME. Talk about one of the best things that can happen to a photographer. Time to raise your prices.:thumb :thumb




Maybe now you will just get so much proposal work that you will just have to refer it all out to your students (ha ha):bow

[Jeff_Milo]

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

CONGRATULATIONS SHAY!!!!!!! Didn't you just say on Tuesday that they will probably never run it - lol

I think you should add another day to next years Boot Camp to cover the art of stelth proposal photography.


I also want to second Cathy's idea of forwarding the overflow to students :D

[com3]

The article finally ran in todays (Sep 20th) New York Times. It is in the style section, but I also got a photo on the front page of the paper below the fold! The story follows three couples and the different photographers that shot the photos. So only one of my photos made it, but one is good enough, and my photo was the largest one too :wink

So all in all I am very pleased with the article. I never expected to see my photo on the front page of the paper :barb


scan it (or at least post a pic of it!) and share it for those of us not in NYC! congrats!

[Stella Bella]

Shay- Absolutely stunning! Amazing. Did this shoot happen around April 16th or so?? I was visiting NY that week and got absolutely soaked in Central Park....S.O.A.K.E.D. Really amazing work.

[scottcolbath]

A noob with a Canon 30D walks into a photo forum and sees those pics and says to himself "Self, that's the kind of pic you want to take".

Absolutely wonderful shots. They give me a goal to reach.

S.C.

[Shay Stephens]

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

CONGRATULATIONS SHAY!!!!!!! Didn't you just say on Tuesday that they will probably never run it - lol
I know! I am glad it happened toward the end, I got home last night and have a couple more interview opportunities waiting for me. We'll see if they pan out too, I hope so.

I think you should add another day to next years Boot Camp to cover the art of stelth proposal photography.


I also want to second Cathy's idea of forwarding the overflow to students :D
Both good ideas hehehe

[Nikolai]

The article finally ran in todays (Sep 20th) New York Times. It is in the style section, but I also got a photo on the front page of the paper below the fold! The story follows three couples and the different photographers that shot the photos. So only one of my photos made it, but one is good enough, and my photo was the largest one too :wink

So all in all I am very pleased with the article. I never expected to see my photo on the front page of the paper :barb
Huge congrats, Shay! :clap Well deserved! :deal :bow

[Cherieg]

stunning emotion packed shots!!!!!

[Tentacion]

Oooo I'm so glad I found this....LOL GREAT shots...from someone who loves shooting in the rain!!

Whooohaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Shima]

Found the article online:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/fashion/20proposal.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Enjoy. Congrats Shay!!! (shay is talked about on page 2, but his pic is on page 1)

[truth]

Amazing work here Shay. Truly stunning imagery both visually and emotionally. Congrats on the NYT.

[com3]

Found the article online:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/fashion/20proposal.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Enjoy. Congrats Shay!!! (shay is talked about on page 2, but his pic is on page 1)


thanks for the link! that's a really good article.

[Shay Stephens]

I got a brief mention on the Rachael Ray TV show today:
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/view/297/ - An icon of one of my proposal shoots is there and links to my website.

And a single photo of the rain proposal is shown on this page:
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/redish-lara-spencer/

I only got a brief synopsis of what they talked about, I have not seen the segment myself yet, but still pretty cool :D

[Ike615]

congrats Shay. Looks like you've created quite the nitch for yourself!

- Isaac

I got a brief mention on the Rachael Ray TV show today:
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/view/297/ - An icon of one of my proposal shoots is there and links to my website.

And a single photo of the rain proposal is shown on this page:
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/redish-lara-spencer/

I only got a brief synopsis of what they talked about, I have not seen the segment myself yet, but still pretty cool :D

[Nikolai]

Yay, Shay! :clap
Congrats! :thumb

[Awais Yaqub]

Many congrats

[saurora]

I got a brief mention on the Rachael Ray TV show today:
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/view/297/ - An icon of one of my proposal shoots is there and links to my website.

And a single photo of the rain proposal is shown on this page:
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/redish-lara-spencer/

I only got a brief synopsis of what they talked about, I have not seen the segment myself yet, but still pretty cool :D

That's so coooool!!!!! Congrats, Shay!!! :clap :clap :clap

[ChatKat]

He did not mention all the other buzz I found this week about him on a couple of wedding forums...talking about the Proposal in the rain..

Congratulations, Shay. :clap :clap :clap

[ian408]

It's nice that those links go directly from her page to yours. Very nice.
indeedy.

[canonguy]

What a lovely story that is told by this set. You are a master. If ever I could be your assistant...

[Quitarita]

WOW!!! I love love love this series. So very inspirational and emotional. :) I hope to one day capture sweet and true moments like you have here...:bow

I shot my first wedding (as the 2nd/assistant) yesterday and it was exciting and hectic and fun and difficult to decide what lens to use when....

As a newbie to all of this...Can I ask what lens you used for this series and other tech info you would like to throw in?

Gracias!!!

ps. I am _really_ bummed I didn't make it to your wedding boot camp - was super pregnant when you were here in SF.... I'm all better now though and have a lovely baby girl (Gemma) to show for it. :clap

Will you do the camps again? :D

[grimace]

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

Wow!! Awesome job!!!!

[caughtnaction]

I bet they will enjoy these pics for a long time to come, to bad the bright orange thing was in the background! My fav is the last one! Great Work!! KS

[Sir Hawkins]

WOW:wow
I dont know what to say ... :bow
I showed my wife and she was about to cry ....:cry

I would say very nice but that cant even touch what you have done here
i dont know if there are words to say what you have done, but i do like to say one thing... TEACH ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT JOB....

thanks
Kelly

[Just A Guy With A Camera]

Bump!

Anyone have these saved? I saw them a while back and was blown away by them! If anyone has them saved (Shay?), would you be so kind as to send them my way? Thanks a million!

[ian408]

Matt,

It's not polite to "send them my way". One might consider that stealing.

Thanks.

[Richard]

Bump!

Anyone have these saved? I saw them a while back and was blown away by them! If anyone has them saved (Shay?), would you be so kind as to send them my way? Thanks a million!

Just a temporary glitch, Matt. You should be able to see them now if you reload the first page.

[jayegirl]

I don't know how I missed these! WoW!

[Agnieszka]

WOW!!!! Boy, and those were taken in the rain .... respect!!!! :clap

[mmmatt]

Well I'm not going to read all 11 pages of people saying "great job Shay", but I am going to add one... truly inspiring work and a benchmark for the rest of us. I hope to be able to shoot like this one day.

Matt

[KCBearcat]

I just saw these for the first time today and I have only two words for you. Simply. Stunning. I wanna be more like you when I grow up. :D

[jdawg]

Speechless. What amazing moments for them to be able to remember visually and share with others. I LOVE the one of him picking her up in the center of the walkway. What a beautiful setting.

[divamum]

Can only echo the sentiment: WOW. :bow

But can I also add (speaking as a girl...)... not only kudos to Shay for SPECTACULAR pictures but to dude there for even coming up with the idea of stealth photographing the proposal?!?!? There's a guy that *gets* "romantic"!!!

Truly a beautiful set of photographs. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing :)

[naeco]

Absolutely amazing set of photos! Thanks a lot for realizing this beautiful photo set, Mr and Mrs Stephens! :)

These images bring out a lot of emotional feeling. Each and every single one are very well done and touching.

I found one of your photos out there and got here thanks to your name is the photo's credit. Showed it to my wife and got complained again that we never got to the proposal :p (as a matter of fact, proposal's kind of unpopular where we live, but still)

Again, amazing work !

[zoomer]

Love these pictures.
This is what it's all about.

[Khristen]

Simply incredible. What a great job! :clap

[cmason]

Whatever happened to Shay? Haven't seen him around in a long while..he is missed

[CyberSteak]

WOW! That's cool. And so well done. It's a definate no second chances kind of shoot and you did an amazing job. Thanks for the inspiration. This is along the lines of what I hope my photography developes into. Catching life moments for people. Again...well done. Not sure if it came up already in this thread (I'll go back and check) but how far back were you from the event? What lens did you use at what focal length? Again...great work.

[kpage]

wow!!!! those are some AMAZING shots!

[Mr. Quiet]

Those are beautiful! That is the kind of work that I want to produce, when I do get to producing my work that is:D since I am still an amateur, I would like to know how you shot in the rain. Do you think you could show me the EXIF?

[MissB]

:clap :clap :clap oh my goodness.. i looked at those shots about 5 times. I love them!!! I love everything about them!! KUDOS!! great job!!!!!!

[Scott_Quier]

Those are beautiful! That is the kind of work that I want to produce, when I do get to producing my work that is:D since I am still an amateur, I would like to know how you shot in the rain. Do you think you could show me the EXIF?
All .... this is an old thread. It's been 1.5 years since Shay last posted on DGrin. I don't know why. I just know that I and others still miss him.

All this doesn't detract from the fact that Shay's work is beautiful - just don't expect an answer.

[emeraldrose]

absolutely gorgeous and how wonderful for the new bride to be.

[BeachBill]

All .... this is an old thread. It's been 1.5 years since Shay last posted on DGrin. I don't know why. I just know that I and others still miss him.

I'm glad someone brought this thread back to life... about a week ago LPS was mentioned somewhere and I thought of Shay and in turn this very thread. I still love these images.

I definitely miss Shay and his wonderful photography.

[Mr. Quiet]

Does anybody know where he is or what he is doing?

[jaypaul0001]

Wow!! what a moment!! so romantic!!

[Danspage]

This photo shoot has taken on a life. I love the photos and and am amazed by nearly 1/2 million viewers.

Great work and a great response. :clap:bow:bow

[Mr. Quiet]

Each time I look at these pictures they just take my breath away. By the way, does anybody know where he is yet?

[VayCayMom]

Yep, takes my breath away about sums it up. Amazing,:barb :barb thank you soooo much for sharing this. Just wonderful stuff. :bow

[Shima]

Each time I look at these pictures they just take my breath away. By the way, does anybody know where he is yet?

Dunno, but his profile says:
"Last Activity: Jan-20-2008 01:33 AM"

I miss Shay! Always love his work.

[lilmomma]

Dunno, but his profile says:
"Last Activity: Jan-20-2008 01:33 AM"

I miss Shay! Always love his work.

not too long ago after reading this thread i tried doing a search for him and his website. Nothing. did he disappear completely?

[Art Scott]

not too long ago after reading this thread i tried doing a search for him and his website. Nothing. did he disappear completely?

His web DOMAIN "SHAY STEPHENS .COM" is for sale.......

HERE (http://www.shaystephens.com/contact.php)

When I GOOGLED, shay stephens, the 1st site returned is his SMUGMUG splash page......then I cliked contact at the top and got the page linked above............

It doesn't seem that he has been active at all on any forum that he used to frequent:dunno:dunno: DPR, Ubuntu....none of them......Too Bad.

[Telephoto]

I think he's dead.

His business address and phone are disconnected. He posted many times in here about vague health and personal issues.

Major talent, but business records show his annual business income under $70K with 2 employees, not much to actually live on.

Its a real shame that people with such outstanding talent are recognized so little financially.

Tele.

[BeachBill]

http://www.smugmug.com/artist-in-residence/shay-stephens/

[Art Scott]

http://www.smugmug.com/artist-in-residence/shay-stephens/

No Longer listed on the show me the PROS page......

heres that addy:
http://www.smugmug.com/artist-in-residence/

[BeachBill]

No Longer listed on the show me the PROS page......

heres that addy:
http://www.smugmug.com/artist-in-residence/

Yeah, they should probably take down that page since it is one of the top ten results in Google.

[Jeff_Milo]

Shay is one of the major reasons I am a Wedding Photographer. He was an inspiration and a great mentor & teacher, I sincerely miss his insights. My understanding is that shortly after they relocated to the San Diego area he and Jennifer had split up and he stopped shooting weddings. I had not heard about any health issues.

[lilmomma]

Shay is one of the major reasons I am a Wedding Photographer. He was an inspiration and a great mentor & teacher, I sincerely miss his insights. My understanding is that shortly after they relocated to the San Diego area he and Jennifer had split up and he stopped shooting weddings. I had not heard about any health issues.

So this would make some sense then:

Found on what looks like a newsletter from an school near San Diego

"Shay Stephens, our Music Liaison on Parents’ Committee....."

Well, at least he didn't disappear off the face of the earth. It was truly mind-boggling to think he just vanished.

[Andy]

I think he's dead.
Nope, I conversed just two days ago with him. He's quite alive, I assure you.

Mabye one day we'll see him here at Dgrin again.

[lilmomma]

Nope, I conversed just two days ago with him. He's quite alive, I assure you.

Mabye one day we'll see him here at Dgrin again.


Thank you for clarifying Andy, of course I wasn't around when he was active in here but I was intrigued by some work of his that I'd seen, and it was really unsettling to me that I couldn't find anything post 2008. I kinda thought he had passed or something. Good to know he's ok!

[ChatKat]

Mabye one day we'll see him here at Dgrin again.

That would be great. He really gave a lot to the forums and to the members here. I took his workshop with Jeff and a few others here. Shay is very special and missed! Sometimes life just happens in ways not expected. When you talk to him next, please send our warmest regards.

[JayClark79]

this was the first I saw of this thread.... and these shots were AMAZING!

[Betz]

First time I've seen this thread and the photos made me cry.
Absolutely breathtaking.

[The Mack]

That's beautiful. All I can really say to that.

[Jheyerck]

:jawdrop

True mastery. The embodiment of professional work.

A M A Z I N G. Gorgeous, prefect photos. Definitely ones to be proud of. What a gorgeous day in the rain and beautiful moments to remember!!! :lust

[JohnC]

Stunning work!

:jawdrop

Let's hope he comes back to photography and this forum so we can see more of his talent in the future. :thumb

[W.W. Webster]

NMabye (sic) one day we'll see him here at Dgrin again.I see his domain name is for sale. :deal

[Clixphoto]

Incredible set. I'm sure they were thrilled with the work. Awsome.

[Art Scott]

I see his domain name is for sale. :deal

Has been for the better part of a year.....that I know of.......maybe longer................................

[esc2476]

That's sad. I actually contacted him to shoot my engagement when I was thinking of proposing in NY (where we lived at the time), but he was booked.

[LeeHowell]

The rain and umbrella seal the deal...Awesome set of images.

[Sir Hawkins]

i dont see this pic where did it go ?

[ChatKat]

Sir Hawkins, go to the first page and first set of posts on the thread. Page one.

I can't believe I posted three years to the day when this ran in the NY Times. Shay, if you are reading this, thanks for all the knowledge you shared with us and inspiration you gave to me.

[Sir Hawkins]

Sir Hawkins, go to the first page and first set of posts on the thread. Page one.

I can't believe I posted three years to the day when this ran in the NY Times. Shay, if you are reading this, thanks for all the knowledge you shared with us and inspiration you gave to me.

i see that but the one pix im talking about is missing

[ChaKira]

awwwww!!!!! i love these!

[Weisel]

Amazing work comrade! This is truly inspiring. In fact, I'm headed to the local jewelry stores to get some help in finding such a man who wants to do this for his gf(soon to be fiance).
What if she turns him down, do I continue shooting, and go ahead with post production anyway? How sad.
No, I suspect that any man who plans this type of shoot has a pretty good idea it's gonna be "yes!" .