Coleson and Elizabeth: New Orleans Surprise Proposal Photography
New Orleans Surprise Proposal Photography
Coleson proposes to Elizabeth in the French Quarter
I’m writing this five and a half years after I took these photos. This was my third or fourth time working as a New Orleans Surprise Proposal Photographer and the second time doing one with rockstar (and sadly retired) planner Andrea Heming. Looking back on old work can feel pretty cringey sometimes. But if I keep an open mind what I see is how much I’ve grown in my craft. I’ve done so many surprise proposals now that I’ve developed a consistent style in the way that I shoot them. This proposal really helped shape the way I approach proposals and got me interested in helping people plan them.
I also nailed a shot that turned into one of my main brand images for years. It’s still my instagram profile picture!
Coleson trying to play it cool.
Coleson and Andrea planned an epic proposal together. He would request a table at Tableau by one of the floor-to-ceiling windows that opens onto Jackson Square. A brass band would be “randomly” playing in the square then wander over to the open window and beckon Elizabeth out. They’d lead the couple to Jackson Square where Coleson would propose before they got into a horse-drawn carriage with champagne for a celebratory lap around the quarter.
I told you it was epic.
I photoshopped the gawking family behind them out of the photo.
I hid across the street from Tableau to grab a sneaky shot or two of the couple just before the band started playing. At first, Elizabeth didn’t seem to notice the band playing. It’s pretty common for a brass band to play in Jackson Square. But then the dancer that lead the band went over to the window with a sign that said “Elizabeth” on it. Elizabeth seemed a bit confused… until she looked at Coleson whose smile gave the secret away. The dancer beckoned for Elizabeth to follow and she and Coleson got up. She must have know what was coming by the time they walked out of the restaurant because she was already tearing up. I followed the couple and the band as Coleson led Elizabeth past the gates into Jackson Square. We actually had a permit to photograph inside of Jackson Square that time so I was able to actually go in! Coleson took a knee, popped the question, and Elizabeth ignored the ring and leaned down to cup his face in her hands and kiss her man. I love it when they ignore the ring. That’s love.
I did a lot of walking backwards and shooting as the band followed them out of the square and to Decatur where their carriage was waiting for them. Andrea popped a bottle of champagne and poured them each a glass as they climbed into the carriage. I followed along behind the carriage as it started its slow victory lap around the Quarter. The shot I got of them from behind the carriage, toasting each other remains one of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken.
Coleson and Elizabeth returned to New Orleans with their new baby in 2019 and hit me up for some family photos in the French Quarter. We re-did one of their proposal images with their son outside of Jackson Square and it was one of the most delightful things I’ve gotten to do in my career.
Andrea is out of the planning game these days but I’ve taken over. Need help planning your proposal?
