When Corey came to me with his plan to surprise his girlfriend Morgan with a bended-knee proposal in one of the loveliest spots in Washington DC, I knew it would be a beautiful moment to photograph.

But neither of us could have anticipated how dramatic the sunset would be on the National Mall’s reflecting pool, how amazing the weather was, (and how many drunken high school prom-goers would attempt to photobomb the occasion).

You can see in the images how breathlessly overcome with emotion Morgan got—almost sinking to her knees as he popped the question—and how happy Corey was to hear Morgan’s “yes.” 

It’s such a privilege to make photography in such moments.