Will You Marry Me Photography's Amanda Darosett

Hi! My name is Amanda Darosett, and I'm a wedding photographer in the San Diego area. I have been living in San Diego for 6 years. I love where I live. San Diego is a beautiful place to photograph. I grew up in Olathe, KS. I found my love of photography while I was still in high school. What I loved about the class was learning the technical details of how the camera works and how you have so much control to create a great picture. My favorite part was being in the dark room with the enlargers and chemicals working to create the perfect black and white photograph. I proceeded to be in every advanced photography class that I could until I graduated.

After graduation I became a concert photographer and worked in a photography lab. In concert, I photographed Tom Petty, Santana, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more. When I was working in the photography lab, I was in charge of the black and white processing.

In March 2007, I became a Freelance Photographer based out of San Diego California. I own and operate Will You Marry Me Photography. I decided to specialize in weddings because they are about love and happiness and they are beautiful. From the surprise proposal, to the engagement sittings; from the ceremony to newlyweds feeding each other cake, I love all of it. To be able to capture a bride's first step down the aisle towards her future, to the look of love and adoration on the grooms face, seizing these moments of love and happiness is a special privilege and honor. To be witness of a day full of joy, laughter, family, and love is an unbelievable opportunity

I currently attend school, working towards a Bachelor of Science in Photography at the Art Institute. I feel that is important to stay on top of current trends and to show my clients how important my field of work is to me.

In my free time, I love to cook, bake and entertain friends. Since I enjoy cooking, I organize events and barbecues with friends to show off my skills while entertaining.

www.willyoumarrymephotography.com

Christie and Steve

Christie and Steve
Balboa Park
January 21, 2011

January was a great month for taking photographs outside and Friday January 21st was no exception. It was a beautiful day outside, the sun was shining high and the temperature was just right. When we first booked Christie and Steve's engagement session, they were scheduled to go to Sunset Cliffs, but since they are having their wedding on the waterfront they decided to have the park as the setting for the engagement photographs. Balboa Park was a great choice. I met up with them at the Organ Pavilion and we proceed to Azalea Gardens where the photo shoot began. I think Azalea Gardens is a beautiful location, with four huge flower beds, a gazebo, and a view of the remarkable Museum of Man. During the session, I photographed Christie and Steve in front of the Museum of Man, down the hallways of the Prado, in front of the Botanical Gardens, and sitting in an enormous tree,one of many throughout Balboa Park. It is amazing how many places there are to photograph in Balboa Park. I could easily spend three hours there taking photographs of a couple.

Working with Christie and Steve was pleasure. Christie let me know that they were not picture people, which I understand, I prefer to be the one behind the camera. With this knowledge, I worked with them to make sure that they were comfortable with the poses and my ideas; and they were open to my ideas, even the idea about having them kiss on the trolley...and we got the shot! Christie and Steve are a great couple, and I am honored to be photographing their wedding day.

Michelle and Daniel

Michelle and Daniel

Sunset Cliffs
January 28, 2011

Only two weeks prior to Michelle and Daniel's engagement session we sat down and talked about their wedding. I met them at their home and showed them my example albums and we talked about their wedding. That day I really felt like we connected. At the end of the meeting they informed me that they will be making a decision by the end of the week and if they went with me, they would like to schedule their engagement session two weeks from then on January 29th. The next day Michelle called me and told me they wanted to book me as their photographer, and I was very excited to be working with them. At that time we discussed their engagement session and possible locations to photograph. After a recent engagement shoot at Sunset Cliffs, I recommended we go their for their engagement session. There are so many photo opportunities at the cliffs that I was eager to photograph there again. On the day of the engagement session, we parked in the parking lot that led down to the beach of sunset cliffs. The first time I was there I didn't notice, but there was a scenic hiking trail that led to a set of stairs that led down to the beach. At that moment inspiration started flowing and that is where the photo shoot began. What I like most about the trail was the long wooden railing and strong shadows created by the sun.


Following the trail to the end, we arrived to a long stairway down to a set of caves and the beach. The tide was low that day, so as we were walking down the stairs I looked to my right and noticed a very groovy rock formation, cave type area. It really would be a perfect spot for a waterfall. I didn't notice this spot on my first trip to Sunset Cliffs because the tide was high. So this was a new discovery for me, and we took advantage of it. What I liked most is that Michelle and Daniele were excited and happy to be at the engagement session, and I soon learned they were full of fun and creative ideas. For example, it was Daniel's idea of them to sit on the rock formation back-to-back. Another one of his ideas was to lay on the rocks with Michelle laying on the rocks with him. It was a great idea and it is one of my favorite photographs. Sunset Cliffs was a beautiful spot to photograph this fun couple.



Michelle and Daniel, Thank you for choosing to work with me. It is already a pleasure working with you and I can't wait to photograph your wedding.

Angela and Brandon - Engagement Session Coronado Beach

Angela and Brandon
Coronado
January 14, 2011

I spent a beautiful afternoon photographing engaged couple Angela and Brandon on the beach behind the Hotel Del in Coronado. While Brandon was apprehensive at first about having his photograph taken, he quickly opened up and was willing to do anything for the shot, including walking across rocks during high tide to get further into the ocean, and sitting in the wet sand to capture a romantic sunset shot. I look forward to the photographs we get from their wedding in August, as we had fun with this photo shoot. Congratulations again Angela and Brandon!

Surprise Proposal Story

Amanda Darosett, owner of Will You Marry Me Photography, offers a unique service to those planning to propose: Surprise Proposal Photography. Amanda, an accomplished wedding photographer, will take a professsional photograph of the exact moment the prospective groom surprises his beloved with a marriage proposal and ring.

Imagine a couple strolling through San Diego’s Balboa Park. Suddenly, in front of a fountain, the young man drops to his knee, and surprise! He proposes. It is a beautiful moment, one of the most important and exciting in their lives.

Amanda Darosett’s Surprise Proposal Photography makes it possible to have a professional photo of that special time, the instant she said “yes!”, the very beginning of their life together. “That’s what’s so fun about Surprise Proposal Photography for me,” says Darosett, owner of Will You Marry Me Photography. “Being able to capture the immediate expression of joy and surprise on her face for all time, creating a family keepsake they will always treasure, that’s a wonderful feeling.” The image created is one that can be shared with friends and family over the years, and a natural way to begin building the wedding album. Darosett, who will pose as a passing tourist or hide in the bushes to get the right shot, coordinates all the details for professional photographs of a surprise proposal.

Client Andy B told Darosett he wanted to “knock her socks off” when he proposed to his fiance Nikki. A weekend getaway at the Ritz Carleton in Laguna Nigel was the setting. Andy pulled Nikki onto the dance floor after a romantic dinner and then surprised her by dropping to his knee to pop the question.

Best of all, Amanda Darosett’s Surprise Proposal Photography was there to create a lasting memory of Nikki’s excitement, delight and love. As part of her expanded services, Darosett scouted the location earlier in the evening to find just the right spot to document for Andy and Nikki, and for their families, the exact moment she said “yes!”.

For more information on Surprise Proposal Photography from Will You Marry Me Photography, contact Amanda Darosett at 858.952.6741 or via e mail : amanda@willyoumarrymephotography.com.
Her website features examples of Darosett’s surprise proposal, engagement and wedding photography work: www.willyoumarrymephotography.com.

10 creative ways to propose

My name is Amanda Darosett owner and photographer for Will You Marry Me Photography. I love everything about weddings, from the proposal to the wedding day. I have searched the web for many different ways to propose. There are many great ways to propose such as asking her to marry you on a beach or in a park, gathering her family and closet friends to surprise her. You could take her out to dinner, to sport game, ask her to marry you in front of the Christmas tree, ask her to marry you in a limousine or a carriage. With all those ideas in mind, I created a “Top 10 Proposal Idea” list. When you have me as your photographer, I will capture the moment, leaving your with priceless pictures for a lifetime. Every time your fiancé and you look at the pictures of your day, you will remember the way you felt the day she say yes! www.willyoumarrymephotography.com

1. Decorate a Christmas tree. Tell her you have hired a professional photographer to come over and take holiday photos in front of the tree. When you get on one knee to ask her to marry you, I will be there to capture the moment.

2. Take her to dinner at her favorite restaurant. Arrange with the waiter to have the the diamond as one of the choices on the dessert tray. I will coordinate with the hostess and waiter and at the moment I will discreetly move across the room photographing your proposal.


3. Take her on a Trolley Ride in Old Town. We will work with the trolley driver to stop in the right spot so that we get the best photograph. In front of the open doors of the trolley ask her to marry you. I will be there walking around taking pictures like a tourist ready to capture her expression.

4. Take her on a romantic carriage ride in Seaport Village. I will get there early to arrange with the carriage driver the best place for him to stop for your proposal. I will be hiding in the brushed prepared to photograph you popping the question.


5. Take her for a surprise picnic at Balboa Park. On a bottle of Champagne, tie a note to it asking her to marry you with the ring. When she realizes what is on the champagne bottle, be ready to get on your knee and propose. I will be across the way capturing the moment.

6. Rent a limousine for the evening and be inside when they pick her up from home or work. As you are headed to an elegant restaurant for a romantic dinner, present her with the diamond. I will be up front with the driver and when you are ready to propose, the driver will roll down the privacy window for me to capture the moment.


7. Order a dozen red roses and pick them up yourself at the shop. Write a card to ask “Will You Marry Me?”. When you meet her for dinner, be waiting with the roses. Once she is reading the card, get on one knee to propose. I will be in the distance capturing her expression from the time she reads the card to the time she says yes!

8. If neither of you are afraid of heights, arrange a hot air balloon ride. When you arrive to the balloon, have a huge banner that says “Will You Marry Me?” I will be right there to capture her expression when she reads the sign.


9. Plan a casual dinner with all of your friends and families. I will be a “guest” of one of your friends. Ask her to marry you in front of everyone. Your casual dinner is now a party!!

10. Take her for a sunset stroll on the beach. Take her to a certain spot on the beach to propose. Prior to arriving at that spot, I will write Marry Me in the sand. I will be waiting up above as you propose to her next to the sand written Marry Me. Can you imagine how awesome that photograph will be? What a way to remember the day she says yes!

For more information visit www.willyoumarrymephotography.com

Andy's Story

If you are reading this and you have not asked the life changing question yet, consider yourself a lucky person! I never thought I could pull off my proposal with such style and grace. I had brainstormed with friends, family and anyone who would listen and asked for advice on how to make the moment magical. I received the same response which goes something like this: " Drop the ring into a martini glass, do it on the cliffs at sunset". The list goes on and they are really great ideas, but there is a way to blow the norm way out of the water and knock the socks off your soon to be spouse.

Here is how it went down..........

It went down at the Ritz Carlton In Laguna Nigel. I pulled my fiancé out on the dance floor, went down on one knew and asked her to MARRY ME. The look on my fiancé’s face is worth a thousand words. Amanda captured one of the most important days of our life. We will remember that night for the rest of our lives and I can revisit that exact moment every time I look at the pictures...........

Andrew Boes