Christmas Proposal in Old Town Alexandria

Merona looking down at the new ring as Abanoub smiles alongside by the Christmas tree

Abanoub and Merona arm in arm, smiling at each other before a lit Christmas tree in Old Town Alexandria

Merona smiling up at Abanoub as they stand arm in arm by the white picket fence and Christmas tree

Abanoub and Merona laughing together, hands clasped, in front of the glowing Christmas tree

Abanoub dropping to one knee behind the white picket fence as Merona turns around by the Christmas tree

Merona reaching back for Abanoub's hand while Abanoub kneels on the lawn beneath the Christmas tree

Abanoub on one knee holding Merona's hand by the picket fence, the brick buildings of Old Town behind them

Merona laughing in surprise, one hand over mouth, in a cream winter coat

Close-up of Merona laughing behind one hand as the proposal begins

Merona smiling through raised fingers, overwhelmed, in the soft winter light

Merona beaming with a hand at the lips, bare trees and Old Town rooftops in the background

Abanoub kneeling before Merona on the waterfront lawn under a clear blue sky

Merona laughing behind one hand as Abanoub kneels on the lawn

A wide view of Abanoub proposing to Merona on the lawn, bare trees and brick buildings behind them

Abanoub smiling up from one knee and opening the ring box, a crowd of friends gathering behind

Abanoub grinning up at Merona with the ring as their friends watch from the edge of the lawn

Black and white photo of Abanoub on one knee holding out the ring, friends watching in the background

Abanoub slipping the ring onto Merona's finger as a crowd gathers on the Old Town waterfront

Abanoub on one knee placing the ring on Merona's hand beside the white picket fence

Close-up of Abanoub sliding the engagement ring onto Merona's finger

Merona throwing both arms around Abanoub in front of the Christmas tree after saying yes

Black and white photo of Abanoub and Merona embracing beside the Christmas tree

Merona admiring the engagement ring while Abanoub laughs, the tree and brick buildings behind them

Black and white photo of Abanoub and Merona holding each other by the Potomac River, gulls overhead

Abanoub and Merona cheek to cheek by the river, Merona's ring hand resting on Abanoub's coat

Merona laughing and leaning into Abanoub on the Potomac waterfront at sunset

Abanoub and Merona smiling together by the water, Merona's ring showing against Abanoub's coat

Merona smiling over Abanoub's shoulder in an embrace beside the river and a small dock

Abanoub and Merona walking hand in hand along the waterfront under a bright blue sky

Black and white photo of Abanoub and Merona walking hand in hand along the river

Close-up of Merona's hand and engagement ring resting on Abanoub's coat

Close-up of Merona's engagement ring on a hand resting against Abanoub's chest

Close-up of Merona's ring hand resting on Abanoub's hand

Merona's engagement ring on a hand laid over Abanoub's, their winter coats softly blurred

A close crop of Abanoub and Merona's hands together, the diamond ring in focus

Merona smiling back over one shoulder while leading Abanoub by the hand along the river

Merona looking back with a smile, holding Abanoub's hand at the water's edge

Abanoub and Merona laughing face to face by the river, Merona's ring hand on Abanoub's shoulder

Abanoub and Merona in a close embrace on the riverbank at golden hour

Merona's ring hand resting in Abanoub's, their coats in soft focus

Abanoub and Merona smiling side by side against a blue sky, holding hands to show the ring

Abanoub and Merona sitting close on a waterfront swing in Old Town Alexandria

Abanoub and Merona looking back over their shoulders from a swing facing the marina

Abanoub and Merona walking past a lamplit brick building dressed for Christmas

Abanoub and Merona crossing the street hand in hand beneath the flags of a historic brick corner building

A wide view of Abanoub and Merona crossing the street in front of a lit brick building at dusk

Abanoub and Merona standing hand in hand in the middle of an Old Town street strung with lights

Abanoub and Merona smiling close together on a busy street glowing with holiday lights

Abanoub and Merona outside a holiday storefront decorated with nutcrackers and red bows

Merona smiling at the camera as Abanoub laughs alongside, nutcracker decorations by the door

Like every proposal I photograph, this one started with a meeting with the person planning to ask. I am a pretty quiet person, but sitting down with Abanoub to plan the surprise got me so excited, because a Christmas proposal in Old Town is about as magical as it gets. We hashed out every detail together, where Merona would be, where I would stay hidden, how their friends would fit in, and most of all, the feeling Abanoub wanted the moment to carry. By the end of that conversation I knew exactly what Abanoub was hoping for, a proposal that felt as warm and joyful as the season itself.

The day delivered on all of it. It was cold enough for winter coats, the streets were dressed for the holidays, and there was a warmth in the town that had nothing to do with the weather. The proposal happened beside a lit Christmas tree near the waterfront with friends gathered close by, and when Merona turned around to find Abanoub down on one knee, the surprise turned into laughter almost right away, the kind of laughter that comes when you are too happy to know what else to do. Having their friends there made it feel like a celebration from the very first second.

Christmas in Old Town Alexandria

Afterward we just walked, first down to the Potomac as the sun started to set, then back into the streets of Old Town as the holiday lights came on. The two of them held hands the whole way, and it felt less like a photo session and more like their very first evening of being engaged, which is exactly what it was. Merona kept glancing down at the ring, as if checking that it was still really there, and I loved being there to capture those quiet little moments.

I treat every proposal with love and respect, because someone is trusting me with one of the most important moments of their life, and I always want it to feel magical and memorable. Walking those streets with Abanoub and Merona after the yes, with the lights strung up and the whole town glowing, is when it clicked for me that this is what I am meant to be doing. I will always be grateful for this day.

Abanoub & Merona

Christmas in Old Town Alexandria