“True love stories never have endings.” ~ Richard Bach.

There are blog posts. And then there are BLOG POSTS. There are proposals. AND THEN THERE ARE PROPOSALS. THIS IS BOTH (so we FOR SURE NEED THIS ENTIRE SENTENCE AND THE ONE BEFORE IT IN CAPITAL LETTERS and at least 3 EXCLAMATION MARKS TO MAKE THE POINT!!!). Strap yourself in for a Tokyo Love Story. It’s the real deal. Which ends after a highly successful covert operation, some 40 emails in the making, with the most romantic proposal. Ever. Floating high above the city, simply shimmering as far as any of us could see, Sam pulled it off. It was classic and epic and once-in-a-lifetime-magic.

And we were in on it. So in on it. And FINALLY WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT (more CAPS… because seriously… this excited and sworn to secrecy??? C’mon this could have derailed at ANY POINT). We had a hint of drama, when don’t we? But it went off without a hitch. It was perfect. And it was all Sam. Thinking out of the box, thinking totally in camera, for the love of his life. Lani.

A love story’s not a love story without the first bit, the intro that hooks you, reels you in. So let’s start at the start with that first email. From Sam. Because AGAIN this was all his idea. Huge props. Here’s the abridged version.

Sam sent an undercover email saying that Lani wanted to do some night shots (that she had organized previously with us)… and he was planning on proposing… and “I thought that it might be cool if we could organise a shoot, have you set it up with Lani so she has no idea and do the proposal during the shoot. That way we could have her reaction recorded forever.”  And then something about, would we be interested?

And my immediate email back went something along these lines: SAM!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOODNESSSSSSSS (x a bazillion exclamation marks!!!!… I know, there may be some dreadful overuse in this post…) We are IN!!!!!!!

You get the point. We were READY. Busting with ideas, raring to go. It.Couldn’t.Be. Any.More.Us.

We knew Lani was up for a session and some photo fabulousness as we had tentatively touched base a little while ago. From next year Trace and I are planning to launch what will become one of our new Premier Collections for 2012… Our 37 Frames “I {love} Tokyo {by night}Experience”. So we were in the middle of organising a select group of real couples to work with us, hang out with us over a few evenings in Tokes, as we refine the locations, the experience, the overall concept. So it wasn’t such a stretch to move things along. A LOT FASTER. And use this as THE RUSE for THE PROPOSAL. It didn’t take Lani much to agree. And as soon as we had pinned down a date. We were ready to GO! Rain or no rain (it was looking a bit dubious for Sunday night earlier in the week). But no worries we had Plans B to Z and at least 10 revisions of each just in case. All of which totally changed on the night! Of course. We were keeping Sam up to date with all the emails going back and forth between us and Lani on organizing the evening. And, I tell you we could have all been sprung with just a little mis-type of the old ‘CC or B’CC. Separate emails all the way for this masterpiece.

Before the big night we even managed a quick clandestine café meeting with Sam. So of course when we met on the night “for the first time”, there was in hindsight just a smidge of over-acting going on. Thankfully Lani didn’t notice. Because she had bought her entire wardrobe in a wheely suitcase and was giddy showing us all her ideas for the first look. We were equally as excited for that and for all to come.

And so lights, cameras, action. And we actually started with what we set-out to do. At a definite must-do location for our I love Tokyo series. Iconic Tokyo Tower just out of reach. Right from the get-go we got them together. It really didn’t take much. As close as could be, on a little wooden box bench. They were made for each other.  I don’t think they let go of each other all night. Seriously they had us at those hats…

Quick change and new location. A different lighting set-up. And what radiated always was love. Simply love.

Our next plan was slightly derailed… and we will be sure to get our train shot at a station (without massive barriers) some other time, so we jumped in the car and hurtled halfway across town. And while Lani didn’t know it, at all, the 3 of us were having minor silent meltdowns in the car as we hit traffic and watched 30 mins just click by. Seriously. There was a proposal to get to and dinner plans afterward. We needed to be at the final point by 7:30pm. It was just about that when we finally arrived. Here. A landmark we have always wanted to shoot. Yes, Lani it wasn’t on the list of locations I sent you. But we always had it in mind. And maybe now you will understand why. Because there is no Love Story without a BIG BOLD IN YOUR FACE LITERAL SHOT.

LOVE. True love. Kind of wishing now we had allowed the rowdy salaryman one pic with you both. And still glad we refused the offer of the kind security guard, who asked if Trace and I would like our photo taken with you both while you were mid passionate kiss. Ummm…no, it’s ok.

Lani was up for photos all night and may have wondered why we were rushing around to get to the next location. But we kept going on about ‘it may be closed’… ‘have to get there before 8pm’ blah…blah…blah… and she bought it. The 4^th location had to be vetoed because the lights weren’t on… ummm…. (I have actually no idea if this was the case)… Just coming up with excuses to get the big moment ON TIME! And so when we arrived at Roppongi Hills she was none the wiser. Still. And we all mutually agreed that we’d do the sparkly Chrissy lights after going up to The City View. “What do you think, Lani? Should we go up?” “Sure. Which dress should I wear?” “Just bring them all,“ we suggested. We were all having a ball, creating, documenting this night. Lani herself was just so excited and in the moment. And then…

We arrived at the top. Well the 3 of them did, I had to stay below to call the restaurant to push dinner back 45mins… Lani was told I was on the phone with a client. All confirmed.

So at the top we found a quiet, intimate spot. And looked out. The city was spectacular. Just floating endlessly below, as clear a night as any. Tokyo Tower pretty in pink. Rainbow bridge just beyond. Sky Tree also showing up to the party. There were people around for sure, but Lani and Sam only had eyes for each other. It was already so special.

And so then… I suggested Lani go and change which gave us a few brief seconds to go over the plan with Sam. And then we knew it was time. Sam had waited so patiently all night. When Lani came back we suggested we’d work on a “silhouette shot”. So we had both Sam and Lani face the window. Just holding hands. Always touching.  As they had all night. Then as we ran off a few tests shots (with the flash…how hilarious for the “silhouette” shot… we were just rambling and thankfully Lani wasn’t really listening to the nonsense we were coming out with as we worked on being cool calm and collected. Honestly, we just had to make sure we nailed the Proposal… hands were shaking UNCONTROLLABLY) we asked Lani to stay where she was. Not move. Just keep looking out the window. “You look beautiful. That’s totally perfect. Now, Sam could you step back a little and to the side? I just need a little more space between you both. That’s great. Click. Click. Lani, just stay there.” Sam looked back to us. We nodded and quietly mouthed OK… (holy smokes I am nervous again just writing this). Then, “Lani can you turn round and face Sam?” And she did. And when she did, she found Sam down on his knee, with that incredible ring…for The PROPOSAL.

And her answer??? Well…YES! As if it would have been anything different.

We had no idea if we caught any of it because it was so emotional, heartfelt and kind of hit us also in that ONE MOMENT. Having the chance to photograph this, for real, is truly a oncer. And so through tears (ours…), much, much happiness and joy, wobbly hands and lord knows what settings we dialed into the camera while it was all unfolding, we caught this. We don’t remember any of it. Thank goodness for the photos. Autopilot took over while passion reigned. There is a fuzzy shot here and there, but they speak as much to the heart of the realization of what was happening. Truly one of life’s most unexpected events. Art in the moment, with no chance of a re-take.

We are sure what happened next was a blur… it certainly was for us. Except for the part just post proposal when mid-kiss Trace tentatively asked if you might move your (and these are her words exactly…) “canoodling” just to the left a bit, so we could get Tokyo Tower in the shot. The proposal had her in a bit of a tizzy and I can certainly bear testament that she has never, ever before uttered that phrase to any couple. We haven’t stopped smiling.

We simply LOVED being a part of this with you both. Seriously. WHAT. A. NIGHT. Sam…amazing effort in pulling this off and we cannot thank you enough for trusting us with something so special and poignant. You were both so meant for each other.  Lani, does it all make sense now? We adore you and your reaction was priceless, gorgeous and the embrace was the stuff of dreams.

Actually you both probably didn’t hear this, obviously, as you were fully focused elsewhere… but while it was all going down, behind us we heard a conversation that went something along these lines…

Japanese Boy: What are they doing?

Japanese Girl: He’s proposing.

Japanese Boy: No way. They’re making a movie…

Japanese Girl:  It’s honto (really)!

Japanese Boy: Nah, it’s a movie. Look at them. They are so beautiful.

Japanese Girl: You’re so wrong. This is honto. Honto. Honto. See…..(she whacks him) Ahhhhhh…beautiful!

You left us all breathless and so in love with life. More than ever. This is one for the books. We simply can’t wait to see what happens next in your Sam & Lani love story.

Congratulations Elana + Sam….  with love, Dee + Trace x