Aubree + Megan: Hawksbill Mountain Proposal
Megan reached out in late June with a plan: surprise her partner, Aubree, with a proposal in the mountains near Asheville.
Their date was set for October 2025, and she wanted something that felt intentional—beautiful, private, and not overly complicated.
As an LGBTQ+ ally photographer in Asheville, I love helping all couples build a plan that feels easy and true to them. We started tossing around overlook ideas right away, narrowing in on locations that would be perfect at sunset without turning the day into a stressful production or excessively long hik.
Megan and Aubree came in from Wilmington, NC, and their vibe was instantly obvious: funny, connected, and fully themselves (Megan is a photographer too, so she gets it). For this day, Megan wanted a sunset proposal at one of the prettiest viewpoints in the region—big open sky, mountain layers, and enough space to actually breathe.
We landed on a simple plan: I’d hike in with an assistant and we’d blend in as regular hikers. We mapped out “the spot,” dialed in timing and light, and then waited quietly while Megan kicked things off with a surprise gift—a small photobook she’d made of their trips, goofy moments, and memories together.
When Aubree opened the book and started taking it all in, Megan reached for the ring. The whole moment was pure heart—happy shock, laughter, tears, and that oh my god realization settling in. I stayed out of the way and documented it as it happened: the surprise, the yes, the hug-you-never-want-to-end.
After the proposal, we wandered the summit area together and chased the last light. Megan and Aubree were so natural—laughing, talking, being completely present—and it made for the kind of candid, connected portraits I’m always chasing. This was easily one of the most joy-filled sessions I’ve photographed: a same-sex surprise proposal near Asheville, done their way, with zero pressure and a whole lot of love.
Planning a surprise proposal in Asheville? If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly photographer who keeps things low-pressure and helps with the logistics (location, timing, light, and how to pull off the surprise), I’m in.
