3 days ago.
Them - "ok, we're meeting at this outdoor restaurant at 5. After a toast, he's going to drop to one knee and propose. That's where you take the photos"
Me - "Perfect! I'll be there as a tourist drinking my beer, ready for the moment..."
The plan was set, everything was in place. I've seen enough spy movies to know how to blend into most crowds. I've also done a few of these before, weirdly becoming a favorite shoot style. (One time I followed a couple for 2 hours through a museum in Miami. Funny story for another time).
Cut to - 1 day ago.
Them - "ok, slight change of plans"
Me - "haha, yeah, I checked the weather too. It's looking pretty inconvenient. (Supposed to torrential rain from 4pm on)
Them - "now after a tour of their new property at 3pm, they're going to walk on the beach, turn left, and drop knee"
Me - "guy with camera on the beach, that's a perfect cover"
*Fast forward in time. I'm now on the beach. The only person on the beach, since it's about to pour.
Me - "I just walked down the boardwalk, past the pink house..."
Them - "Perfect, they'll be there in 15"
Me - "No problem, but its starting to rain"
Them - "They're coming down now"
I jump into action! Quick thinking! I'm alone on the beach, with a camera, I don't want to stare, it's starting to sprinkle... What do I do to look casual?
Pretend to take photos of the dunes and storm (pictured above)
They come down, do the thing. Everyone's excited.
I quickly meet them, start to take a few photos of the newly engaged. "The drama in the sky, isn't this amazing!" As soon as this happens, a squall arrives and the skies open up. Classic Florida (we don't do casual rain for very long. It's either hurricane or not at all.)
... You could say that... When it rains, it pours...
We all run for cover, I take photos of the new excitement. I don't want to expose my cameras for too long, but I know they're tough and you don't get this chance often.
Basically everything went as smoothly as it could, in a meeting that was cut very short.
I love the outdoors.