This was such a fun experience! Judah reached out to me a little sneakily because he wanted to make his proposal to Chloe extra special, but, most importantly, a total surprise.

And he absolutely pulled it off.

I love getting to photograph proposals because there’s something so exciting about knowing what’s about to happen while one person has absolutely no idea. My job becomes part photographer, part secret agent, and part professional bush-hider.

For this one, I started out sitting in the back of my truck from a distance, trying to look like any other tourist taking in the views. Then, when the moment got closer, I snuck into position behind a bush and waited for my cue.

And then it happened.

Judah knelt down on one knee, proposed, and Chloe’s reaction was ADORABLE. She was so surprised, so excited, and honestly a little squeaky with happiness. She was absolutely thrilled, and I don’t think anyone could have scripted a better reaction.

And what a backdrop for a proposal!

Crater Lake is just unreal. It is so vast and dramatic and magical that it almost doesn’t look real. There are few places that can make a proposal feel quite this epic, and having that incredible blue water and surrounding landscape behind these two made the whole moment even more memorable.

Once the secret was out, we got to spend some time wandering around and taking newly engaged photos together. Judah and Chloe are young, playful, and clearly completely smitten with each other. They laughed, danced together, cuddled, and soaked in the excitement of what had just happened.

I loved watching them transition from “Wait… are you really proposing?!” to “OH MY GOSH, WE’RE ENGAGED!” and then just celebrate together.

Those are the moments I live for.

There was so much joy and energy between these two, and being able to document such a huge moment in their lives was an absolute blast. I feel pretty lucky that people trust me with these once-in-a-lifetime moments, and even luckier when it involves a gorgeous location like Crater Lake.

Judah and Chloe, congratulations on your engagement! I hope your future together is filled with just as much laughter, adventure, dancing, and ridiculous happiness as this day.

What an epic proposal! 🤍💍

Dreaming of your own Crater Lake adventure?
Whether you’re planning a surprise proposal, celebrating your engagement, or simply want to document this season of your relationship somewhere unforgettable, Crater Lake is one of the most breathtaking places in Oregon for couples photos. I’d love to help you plan an experience that feels relaxed, meaningful, and completely you. Learn more about Crater Lake couples & proposal photography here.