Cynthia & Nic — A Surprise Proposal at Amangani

Cynthia and Nic’s surprise proposal at Amangani was one of those Jackson Hole moments that just felt… cinematic. It was a bluebird day with quiet energy in the air—it was the perfect backdrop for something huge. And honestly? It became a huge moment for me, too.

Because this was the very first time I got to shoot 16mm motion picture film during a real, live, no-do-overs moment. And let me tell you:

I am obsessed.
I mean OBSESSED.

If I could shoot 16mm forever and nothing else, I would be the happiest, most fulfilled human on the planet. There’s just nothing like it—the texture, the movement, the emotion it pulls out of a scene. It feels alive and honest in a way digital simply can’t replicate. Truly a mwah-chefs-kiss thang.

Since this was a surprise proposal and everything unfolds fast, I hired my associate to handle all the digital videography. That freed me up to be fully locked into two things:

the 16mm
and the photography.

Best decision ever. This is how we can have it all.

The moment Nic dropped to one knee? Magic. Cynthia’s reaction was pure emotion—shock, joy, tears, laughter—and the 16mm just soaked it all in. The way that film captures light against the backdrop of Amangani is unreal. It almost feels like watching a vintage movie, except it’s real life and happening right in front of you.

Having my associate on digital meant I wasn’t spread thin or trying to multitask. I could slow down, be intentional, and shoot with my whole heart. I noticed the tiny details—the way he held his breath, the second she realized what was happening, the wind catching her hair—and that’s what makes film sing.

This proposal is one of my favorite projects to date, not just because Cynthia and Nic were incredible humans, but because it marked the moment I knew:

16mm is going to be a huge part of my future work.

It’s nostalgic, it’s raw, it’s romantic, and it somehow makes a moment feel both vintage and timeless at the same time.

Give me more 16mm proposals, please.
I’m officially hooked.