Cleveland Eclipse Proposal

Quinton and Jessica drove up from North Carolina for a Cleveland eclipse proposal.

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

Only she didn’t know it was a Cleveland eclipse proposal! When he messaged me about doing this
I thought it sounded fun and challenging. But how would it be done? At first, Quinton was thinking
during the eclipse and the more I thought about the darkness I decided that would not be a good idea.
Technically I would have to use a strobe and I didn’t think others around would appreciate that going
off during totality.

I discussed it with Quinton and suggested either a bit before or after might be best. He agreed.
Another concern was traffic after hearing reports of gridlock and parking issues at other eclipse
events. I said it would be best at Rocky River Park near my home thinking traffic would not be as
much of an issue for them leaving their downtown hotel.

Arriving early, I kept an eye out for the couple at the park and I didn’t see them anywhere. I
started to worry as it got closer to totality. About 35 minutes before, I spotted them walking
through the park. As they stood in the grass with many others I texted Quinton to go down to the
beach. I knew the water backdrop would be best plus there was less of a crowd there.

Trying not to be detected I then made photos as they looked up at the sun with the eclipse
glasses. My camera exposure was rapidly changing as the moon blocked the sun more and more. It
was time! I photographed the totality from my angle with people watching above in the foreground.
I had to act fast and turned around for a silhouette of the couple against the water as a sunset
surrounded us. It was beautiful beyond anything I could imagine! I ran down the shore to make
one more photo of people with the eclipse and after a few frames the sun came back out. Fastest
four minutes ever.

Quickly I changed lenses on my cameras so I was ready and less than three minutes later
Quinton was on his knee asking Jessica and of course she said yes. 

The crowd was departing but some noticed what was happening and cheered as they kissed.
What a moment the couple will never forget.

It was portrait time and we captured their joy until it was time to walk back to their
car and into their new life together.

Everything turned a strange color just before totality.

Bonus link:

https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/

Thank you for viewing this Cleveland eclipse proposal,

– Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer