A Christmas Surprise: Drew & Nicole's Holiday Proposal | Williamston, MI Photographer
Some sessions are beautiful. Some are emotional. And every once in a while, a session becomes one I'll never forget.
When Drew first reached out to me, he had a secret.
He shared that he wanted to book a holiday family session in my Williamston, Michigan studio with his girlfriend, Nicole, and her daughter, Amara. The plan was simple (or so Nicole thought). Drew had told her they were taking family Christmas photos as a gift for his nana, which they were, BUT hidden behind that holiday photo session was a much bigger surprise…
Drew knew his love was expecting a proposal someday and wanted the moment captured, so he planned the perfect way to catch her off guard while still giving her the memories she'd always hoped for.
Together, we quietly planned every detail.
His biggest concern? Getting the ring into the studio without Nicole noticing. We came up with a plan for him to "run back to the car" after arriving, pretending he'd forgotten his phone. While he was outside, I’d show her around the studio, he'd grab the green felt ring box, run back inside and tuck it into a basket beside the Christmas tree, ready for the perfect moment.
As if the proposal itself wasn't sweet enough, Drew had another surprise waiting.
Along with Nicole's engagement ring, he had purchased a necklace for Amara, officially welcoming her into this next chapter as his future daughter. It was such a thoughtful gesture that made the moment about becoming a family, not just getting engaged.
During the session, we captured cozy holiday portraits, plenty of laughter, and sweet family moments. Then, when the timing felt just right, Drew walked Nicole over to the Christmas tree, reached into the basket, and dropped to one knee.
The look on Nicole's face said everything.
Shock.
Joy.
Happy tears.
And an overwhelming amount of love.
After she said "yes," Drew gave Amara her necklace, making sure she knew she was an important part of this new beginning, too. It was impossible not to get emotional watching the three of them celebrate together.
These are the moments that remind me why I love what I do. Photographs aren't just about smiling at the camera—they're about preserving the biggest milestones, the unexpected surprises, and the stories families will tell for generations.
Congratulations to Drew, Nicole, and Amara! Thank you for trusting me to be part of such an unforgettable Christmas surprise. I wish your family a lifetime of happiness, laughter, and many more holiday memories together.
If you're planning a surprise proposal—or simply want to capture your family's story—I'd love to help you create photographs you'll treasure forever.
Alyssia is a 3rd generation, Mid-Michigan based Portrait Artist.
She photographs proposals, engagements, fantasy photography, boudoir, pets, families, seniors, weddings, headshots, and more!
Her studio is in Williamston, Michigan.