What a lovely proposal to photograph. Pride Month is all about celebrating people’s authentic selves and celebrating the beauty of love in all its forms. This Pride Month, we’re honored to be able to highlight a wonderful couple with love in their hearts and a bright future ahead: Mallory and Lawson.
These two soulmates were excited to enjoy a fun day at Magic Kingdom, but Mallory had something especially magical in store. While overlooking the iconic Cinderella’s Castle, Mallory got down on one knee and “popped the question.” Lawson was grinning ear to ear and couldn’t wait to say “yes”!
As we made our way to a few locations in the park for proposal photos, Mallory and Lawson were such a joy to be with. They know exactly how to make each other laugh, and we loved getting some of those genuine laughs on camera.
We focused mostly on Cinderella’s Castle as the backdrop for Mallory and Lawson’s portraits. After all, it’s the perfect place for romance. Along with plenty of classic close-up shots and traditional photos to highlight that gorgeous ring, we had fun snapping pictures of these two dancing together in front of the castle. If their loved ones can dance as well as Mallory and Lawson, this wedding will be a fabulous one!
This couple shined so brightly in their portraits alongside Cinderella’s wishing well, the Dumbo ride, and the beautifully rustic castle doors, but some of my favorites might be their portraits with the simplest backgrounds. Mallory and Lawson are so natural together and look at each other with such a warm, authentic love in their eyes, and those portraits truly shine the light on this bond.
The magic of Disney’s Magic Kingdom is alive and well in Mallory and Lawson, and we were honored to capture a chapter of their story. If you want to preserve the magic of your engagement with professional proposal photos, The Canovas Photography is here to make it special!
We LOVED Emily and Henry’s Magic Kingdom Proposal! They are the sweetest couple. Their families were there to make it even more special. I got this from Henry when we planned the proposal: “The proposed plan is as follows: My sister, Honey, will be taking photos around the park to help promote her new Disney jewelry products that she’s been marketing. As my girlfriend will be taking these photos (likely in front of the castle), my sister will at one point pull out a sign from her pocket/bag that will tell Emily to “turn around”, and at that moment I will be kneeling in behind of Emily with the ring (contained in a box-shaped like the My Adventure Book from the movie Up). At this point is where she will hopefully turn around and the moment can be captured! I’ll say a few words to her and await her answer. “
Read Emily’s story here: I guess we met in 6th grade (at least he knew me then) and we became friends in 7th grade. He’s basically the boy next door since we lived in the same neighborhood and we met on the school bus. I remember it clear as day. My friend and I were sitting together and then another boy came over on the bus and sat on the seat next to us. Henry followed him over and sat next to us as well but didn’t talk much. He was super shy and quiet, and I remember thinking he had huge hair! Us four became the new quartet and always did things together. But as high school started, it became just Henry and I. We became closer and closer by bonding over Manga, talking over AIM messenger, and biking around the neighborhood. The summer before 10th grade started, I definitely considered him my best friend, but I also started to like like him. However, knowing Henry, if anything was going to happen, I was going to have to make the first move. So, I did—I told him I liked him first! He said the same thing and I could say the rest was history, but it wasn’t that easy.
During the summer of 2010, we started dating each other. We didn’t make it public at first, but a lot of people easily caught on to this! Then, we went to separate colleges and even had 5 months apart by a 6-hour time difference when I studied abroad in Copenhagen. We had a lot of trying times together facing different personal and family challenges. However, through it all, we let each other grow and become our own person. I have never felt held back by Henry or tied down to him in a limiting way. I’ve only ever felt supported and unconditionally loved by him. We’ve been together for 11 years and we’ve grown as a couple and as our own independent selves. That is something I’ve always loved about us.
In August of 2020, Henry moved in with me to my apartment in Boston. This was another learning curve but was also a moment we’d both been waiting for for a while. Finally, we didn’t have to say “Goodbye” after a weekend visit together but just a “Goodnight.” After five months of living together we decided to look at engagement rings! The only problem is that I don’t like rings, but I wanted an engagement ring and I wanted something I would love. So naturally, I chose my own ring!
After we bought the ring in February of 2021, I tried to not ask questions or bug Henry too much about the proposal. I mean, I may have shown him dozens of Instagram reel of different proposal videos or watched Say Yes to the Dress in front of him many times. I may have also blatantly told him “You better propose by the end of 2021!” Little did I know he was actually planning the most perfect proposal for months in the happiest place on Earth—Disney World!
Disney holds special meaning to me, and Henry knows this. My parents had their first date and honeymoon there. I’ve been at least 15 times since I was a baby and I absolutely cherish the place. Back in March of 2021, we booked a trip to go there with his family for his sister’s birthday in August. I thought that’s all it was going to be, just a birthday trip. But then my mom got wind of our trip and also booked a trip for her, my dad, and brother to go there the same week as us. However, my mom is known for her spontaneity and I didn’t question it. I was actually kind of worried about both of our families being there and trying to make it clear it wasn’t a “joint” trip because I didn’t want to stress his sister out.
Fast forward to Monday, August 9th, our flight gets canceled, we’re running on three hours of sleep, it’s thundering and starting to lightly rain, and my family gets stuck on The People Mover. I guess these factors explain why Henry seemed to keep falling asleep everywhere we went: the hotel room, the bus to the Magic Kingdom, and under the canopy outside Casey’s Corner. Poor guy was freaking out! Meanwhile, I was just becoming more and more confused as everyone just stopped moving. Then his sister takes me to the Hub Grass and asks me to help her shoot some content for her Etsy shop. She explains to me that she’s going to hold up different signs for her shop and wants me to record it. As I’m recording, I remember giving my brother and mom a look saying, “What is going on?” But then once Honey reveals the sign that says, “Emily Turn Around,” everything froze. I was already crying as I turned around but when I saw Henry on one knee, that’s when the waterworks really started. That’s when I realized that this man planned everything for months and orchestrated the whole thing to have both of our families present for this special moment at one of my favorite places on Earth. I don’t really remember what he said, but I do remember feeling like my heart was going to explode from the love I felt. Then, he surprised me again with a photo shoot!? I was blown away! He honestly made me feel like a real-life Disney princess and I really can’t wait to live out my happily ever after with him. He says he waited 14 years for this proposal, and now we both can’t wait forever.
We have SO much fun photographing proposals at Disney! So much love and happiness! Will had it all planned out to propose to lovely (and Ariel Princess-like) Brooke, and we were there to document the surprise. They are so sweet and Brooke was so surprised! Of course, she said yes 🙂
It all started when Will’s father called me to check on availability. Then a few phone calls back and forth with Will – “how does this all work?” We can always help you with the planning of your proposal! We know it can be confusing and overwhelming, especially coming in from out of state.
We decided to meet at the Cinderella Wishing Well, a perfect spot in the shadow of the castle. We knew what they were wearing and Will and I texted our whereabouts to each other. Finally, they came around the corner and Will got down on one knee. Brooke was so happy and stunned!
We made our way through Mainstreet, The Purple Wall, Cinderella Castle and Mickey’s Toontown. Will and Brooke were easy going and easy to photograph. We all had a great day!
Congratulations Brooke and Will! May all your wishes come true.
Aspen and her family came all the way from Washington State for her destination senior portraits with us at The Magic Kingdom! We had so much fun running around the happiest place on earth 🙂 I asked her mother Lisa to tell me more about Aspen. In her words:
Aspen is a beautiful, outgoing young lady with a heart of gold. She does a lot with the special needs students of her school including a unique prom event and the Special Olympics. She hopes to be a special education teacher when she grows up and I know she will be amazing with her students.
She is active in lots of clubs at Olympia High School including the Rotary Club, Boys and Girls Club, and Young Life. She is also an awesome catcher for her high school team as well as a select fastpitch team. She loves Disney, being active in the community, and hanging out with her friends.
Aspen is a wonderful daughter and we are blessed that she is ours. We are beyond proud of her.
If you are interested in having senior pictures taken at Walt Disney World ~ Contact us today! We’d love to discuss your custom portrait session ideas with you!
I was so happy When McKenzie’s mom Jeannie called all the way from Punxsutawney PA (yes, the one from Groundhog’s Day) to book us for her Destination Senior Portraits at the Magic Kingdom! McKenzie is so sweet and fun to be around – and she also a Disney lover! She’s visited Disney World dozens of times – multiple times a year. Almost all of the family’s photographs are pictures taken at Disney World. She enjoys spending time with friends, family, and pets. She also enjoys traveling and shopping. She dislikes vegetables, gym class, and homework. I know she will go far no matter where she goes! Congratulations McKenzie! xo Achievements: Honor & High Honor Roll Student (all 4 years) Student Government (all 4 years), Vice President of Student Government (senior year) Track & Field (2 years), Basketball (1 year), Basketball Statistician (3 years), 4 year letter winner in volleyball. Yearbook Staff Clubs: Varsity (4 years), Math (4 years), Spanish (4 years) College: Plans on attending Slippery Rock University to enroll in their Pre-Physical Therapy program, to earn an undergraduate degree in three years and then a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in three after that.
Oh man, the Magic Kingdom is definitely ready for Christmas! When I met Sara and Ben there for a fun 3-year Anniversary photo shoot, Jingle Bells was playing loud and every building, streetlamp and archway was dripping with Disney Christmas magic. Worked out great for these two because they love Christmas and they love Disney. Happy Anniversary Sara and Ben!
From Sara: Ben and I met through a mutual friend at her pool in North Carolina about 5 years ago. He asked me out quite a few times, with me saying no each time until our mutual friends finally convinced me to say yes. We quickly fell in love and realized we wanted a forever. I got a job at Duke University causing us to move 45 minutes from his job at Fort Bragg and me driving 1.5 hours to Duke, but we both didn’t mind making that sacrifice. We got married a few months later November 8, 2014. In January Ben for orders to Fort Leonard Wood so we packed up and moved again where we have been for just over 2.5 years. Who knew this is where we would face our first deployment. We planned this Disney trip right before he left last year to celebrate his return, our anniversary and my birthday. I am currently in school for cosmetology and will be graduating in February. Not sure where our next chapter is going, it’s all in the Army’s hands, but we’re looking forward to seeing where it goes together.
