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A surprise engagement: Chellise + Michael

March 8, 2013
Brooklyn rooftop engagement | Photo by W.Scott Chester

Michael and Chellise are wedding photographers in Brooklyn and have always followed W. Scott Chester’s blog out of sheer fondness for their unique and rad style. Chellise started following Scott on Instagram and saw that he was in NYC one day, freaked out and commented asking him to come over and photograph them. He responded with a sweet note about already being booked, but offered future NYC dates, so she began the booking process immediately. Her and Michael strictly hired W. Scott Chester for fun and to meet their favorite photographer. What she didn’t know was what was going to happen during their photo session…

chalkboard bedroom wall | Photo by W.Scott Chester at home engagement session | Photo by W.Scott Chester desert scene on a chalkboard wall | Photo by W.Scott Chester

at home engagement session | Photo by W.Scott Chester blue patterned dress | Photo by W.Scott Chester romantic city engagement session | Photo by W.Scott Chester blue patterned dress and felt hat | Photo by W.Scott Chester city street romantic walk | Photo by W.Scott Chester city streets of Brooklyn | Photo by W.Scott Chester floral heart sunglasses and wall graffiti | Photo by W.Scott Chester bright checkerboard painted pavement in Brooklyn | Photo by W.Scott Chester bright checkerboard painted pavement in Brooklyn | Photo by W.Scott Chester

Since I was the one that initiated the shoot, did the booking, sent the money, and handled all of the communication, I was not under any suspicion that Mike would use this opportunity to propose. Apparently, he contacted Scott and Adam a few days prior to let them in on it. During the shoot, we simply wandered our Brooklyn neighborhood and let Scott and Adam do their thing. At one point we decided to go home to change real quick and continue shooting. We jumped up on our rooftop and Mike says to them, “Hey don’t you guys have some props or something?” Now.. I know their work.. and they DON’T use props..(Im not a prop girl) but I still thought nothing of it and Adam just handed Mike my big blue fedora, but there was a ring under it, but I didnt know it, so I was like “Ok.. they meant my rad hat is a prop…. cool”. 

rooftop magic hour photo session | Photo by W.Scott Chester surprise rooftop engagement | Photo by W.Scott Chester surprise rooftop engagement | Photo by W.Scott Chester Brooklyn rooftop engagement session | Photo by W.Scott Chester

So Mike’s just holding this hat in front of me and it didn’t make sense. I was like, “Hey Mike.. put that hat on me, whats wrong with you?”. I grabbed the hat and then screamed because there was this AWESOME VINTAGE WEDDING RING FROM THE 20’s staring at me and I blacked out, or at least I thought I did. (I buried my face in the hat so that explains me thinking that I blacked out). Mike says that I screamed yes before he could ask. I don’t remember, but I believe him! I was completely shocked and elated with happiness. We changed clothes and went out for a few more shots at sunset, then we went to dinner with Scott and Adam. They were such a part of our day and we didn’t want them to go! The next day we called them to be our wedding photographers. A no brainer. 

romantic rooftop engagement session | Photo by W.Scott Chester New York riverside engagement portraits | Photo by W.Scott Chester riverside sunset | Photo by W.Scott Chester

What better note to end the week on, srsly.

You can catch even more from these lovebirds on W.Scott Chester’s blog. Happy Friday!