Northern Lights Proposal

Lincoln mentioned early in their relationship he always wanted to be proposed to under the Northern Lights. Tim got a little creative and planned surprise Northern Lights proposal for Lincoln in Detroit.

I was on the phone with Becky when Tim’s email landed in my inbox. I started laughing and exclaimed, “Oh my God Beck! Another one!”

“Another what?” she asked.

“Another proposal inquiry!” I explained. I was so excited because after photographing my own proposal, helping plan and photograph proposals has quickly become one of my favorite genre of photography. I quickly responded to Tim and by the end of the day, we already had a time penciled in to meet on-site to walk him through his Northern Lights proposal.

We met outside the the Northern Lights Lounge in New Center, Detroit on a brisk Thursday night at 8:30, right around the time when he would be proposing. When I asked him the significance of the location, he explained that early in dating, Lincoln mentioned that he always wanted to be proposed to under the Northern Lights. That could be a little challenging in Detroit, so Tim came up with the next best option: a “Northern Lights proposal” at one of their favorite places, the Northern Lights Lounge in New Center, Detroit. After looking at a few options, we came up with plan, covering everything from where they would get dropped off to where Tim would propose. Tim had a locktight story as to why he and Lincoln should be all dressed up. By the end of our consult, Tim was confident in the plan and ready to start counting down the days until his Northern Lights proposal.

The night of the proposal, everything went to plan. Becky and I arrived early, setting up our lights and dialing everything in. Tim’s ETA of 8:01 p.m. was right on time. Becky and I stood casually near a light pole, hiding our gear, as Tim and Lincoln passed. As they approached the entrance, Tim stopped Lincoln, turned him, and went down on a knee before sharing with him words of endearment. It didn’t take long (the turning on of spotlights helped, I am sure) for Lincoln to realize what was happening. The rest unfolded naturally, as Lincoln turned his attentioned to Tim while he proposed. As he later said, “it was the easiest ‘yes’ of his life.”

After the proposal, we walked around the corner for a few engagement pictures to commemorate the momentous occasion. We didn’t want to go too far or take too long though because Tim had one more surprise for Lincoln.

I will say, these quickly became some of my all-time favorite engagement photos. I love the look, feel, and lighting.

Waiting inside the Northern Lights Lounge was all of Tim and Lincoln’s closest friends and family, ready to surprise and celebrate the couple’s news.