Ever get let in on a secret? It’s exciting and I get the excited jitters every time somebody reaches out to me about a proposal. It’s a real blast trying to come up with ideas and plan how to surprise your partner with a proposal. As a photographer, I am not only excited, but honored every time I get to be apart of one.

This proposal was no exception. The location was the Speed Art Museum here in Louisville, Kentucky. I got a last minute call that Maxwell’s original photographer had to cancel. I was happy that I was available and able to step in! And I was even more excited after I heard more details about the proposal. This was not only a loving gesture of a proposal, but a very thoughtful & creative one, too.

Maxwell Pearce is an artist (and basketball player for the Globetrotters!). His face lights up when he talks about his now-fiancee, then girlfriend, Jasmine Styles (a news anchor for WCPO Cinncinati!). Max told us that when you love someone, you make art for them.

He did exactly that for Jasmine by creating a stunning piece called "Me, Myself & I". It resembles Jasmine’s confidence and relationship with herself.

The plan was to have Jasmine walk into the art gallery where the piece Max made for her would be. The first surprise would be the artwork itself! Then as she realized that first surprise, he’d drop to one knee and propose for a double surprise. I was anxious as I waited in the gallery with my camera, trying to not look suspicious as they took their tour.

They walked into the room on their tour & Jasmine noticed the art piece right away. Max proposed right then and there! The photos of that moment are the first ones in the series below. If you want to hear and see the full experience, my husband Trent filmed it and did a phenomenal job. Hearing the audio and feeling Max’s nervous excitement and Jasmine’s awe is precious! Trent had cameras set up for different secretive angles during the day. That's something that you can pull off with video (not so much with photo) so take a look.

After the actual proposal, Max filled Jasmine in on how the plan had came to be. Shock was written all over her face - mission accomplished! They soaked in the moment together during portraits and got to see more of the museum. To end the session, we captured them FaceTiming their family.

Congratulations to Jasmine and Max, it was truly an honor for me to have photographed your proposal!!

Big shout-out to everyone below who helped pull this off! But the biggest credit goes to Maxwell for creating this thoughtful, artistic proposal.

Video - Document Wedding Films

Max’s Artwork - The Art of an Athlete

Proposal Coordinator - Emily Nixon at the Speed Art Museum and Weekend Wedding Warrior

Venue - Speed Art Museum

Jeweler - Richter & Phillips