Proposal DIY! A Self Portrait Real Engagement In Sheffield – India & Lee

Posted on: 16/01/2012

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Oh my goodness!  I am SO IN LOVE with this fabulous engagement story and DIT (do it themselves!) photo shoot from newly engaged couple (and professional photographers) India and Lee of India Hobson Photography.  Their lovely love story, stunning images and frankly, drop dead gorgeous style make this one of my very favourite wedding blog posts to date. 

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(I long to be this cool.)

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Let’s hear from this talented Bride To Be: Lee proposed to me not long after midnight on New Year’s Eve/day in one of our favourite bars where a lot of our friends work – I’m not really fussed about celebrating NYE & was particularly grumpy about this one as all our friends would be working, hence ending up there! Lee asked me if I’d like to get engaged, and I said ‘yeah!’ like it was just a normal question, then he put a ring in my hand and I was so shocked and elated that I cried for about 10 minutes before I could coherently tell my friends!

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It was a complete surprise because Lee’s rubbish at keeping secrets, so I was amazed that I didn’t suspect anything. He knows that I didn’t want him to do it in front of everyone, so this was the perfect way to do it and still be able to share with everyone that I’m close to.

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He gets extra points too as the ring fits perfectly!

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We’re both creative, and don’t really have a taste for the traditional ‘wedding’ thing, and ideally we want to get married outdoors, but we’ll be compromising a little as we don’t want to go abroad – so the search is on for that place we both feel is right. Some time next year I imagine, because we both want to handle most of the details & to involve the artistic skills of our friends & family.

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We met when we both studied photography together at the Manchester School of Art, he’s from County Durham & I’m a Sheffield girl.  I was the geek at uni that most people probably had reservations about; put my hand up to answer every question, teacher’s pet, smart remark-for-everything-kind-of-girl. I worked solidly for my first year and hardly talked to anyone on the course.

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Something changed in 2^nd year, and I started to make friends, especially with the boys & found that I just wanted to spend more & more time with Lee. He made me laugh, we talked photography & work non-stop & found excuses to see each other (he stole my keys once to get to come to my house!) and went to a house party where I was sure he’d make a move. I felt 15 all over again! I was so disappointed when he didn’t kiss me.

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Of course, eventually he did.

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We’ve lived together from almost the beginning, and I’ve never lost that nervous feeling in my stomach; we studied together, worked together & rarely spend time apart – I don’t think there was a lightning moment of “this is it” realisation, it’s something we’ve grown into.

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Lee makes me laugh uncontrollably, makes me feel safe & puts so much effort into doing special things for me – and gets really annoyed if they don’t work! Working in the industry that I do (I’m a photographer & artist) I really value that he appreciates what I do, & understands that although it’s not a conventional occupation, it’s what I do. Lee knows exactly when I need a bath, a drink or a chippy tea! I love that he gets obsessive about his bike, and puts everything into what he does. That’s inspiring.

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Lee says: I noticed India at uni because I didn’t really know where she was from, she has an exotic thing & kind of foreign look so I was curious. She’s got a good sense of humour & doesn’t fuss or get all sensitive like most girls, plus she’s a tank at work. And she’s hot.

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We decided to do this DIY shoot as after telling all of your family, and changing our facebook status it felt like a natural progression! My personal practice as an artist involves a lot of self portraiture, and I work as a wedding photographer also, so we thought it would be something unique to bring the two together. We’re both resourceful & creative and approached it the way we do with everything else…

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I especially enjoyed it – mainly because Lee was so embarrassed & I got to make fun of him for once! We prepared the quote cards & took to the roof – we both moved to my hometown of Sheffield & fell head over heels with the city, hence the skyline as a backdrop. We both love the elements, and the sky fits us both perfectly.

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We used a tripod with the self timer and also the shutter release that I have and played around. Luckily we’re both photographers so it wasn’t really a problem shooting it, and that represents us too. It’s a fundamental part of our relationship so makes sense.

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Since becoming engaged I’ve got the wedding bug and have been hooked on wedding blogs – Brides Up North does exactly what it says on the tin and features local suppliers and stories, so is much more relevant to me than most. Its a great source of inspiration too.  I’ll be back to share our Real Wedding photographs too!

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Congratulations India & Lee!

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Just engaged?  Contact me to share your story!

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You cans see more of India’s gorgeous work in this fab fashion shoot for The White Room Sheffield.

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 India Hobson Photography

This is not a sponsored post

Contact Brides Up North to submit their business as a Featured Supplier 

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