ORIGIN OF US
ORIGIN OF US
one early morning at a strip club in Hollywood...
...a Costume Designer and a Cinematographer laid eyes on each other and the rest is history.
In 2012, Lindsay was in a fitting with a styling client of hers who was gearing up to produce an indie movie. Upon inquiring about whether or not they needed a wardrobe person, it was quickly decided that the job was available and was hers if she wanted it. Lindsay was eager and up for the task of costume designing her first feature.
A few days later, the film's Director (also said styling client's fiancé) was in a meeting with Jason, the Cinematographer, talking shop. He casually mentioned that the wardrobe girl they just hired was single, cute, and that they should connect. Well, that never happened. Prep came and went and, suddenly, it was 4am at The Body Shop on Sunset Blvd. on their first day of shooting and everyone was sweaty.
Glances happened, but several days went by before Lindsay and Jason even conversed. And, when words were exchanged, it was, "hey, are you the DP? What's the framing on this next shot?" But, later that afternoon, Lindsay took notice of Jason's outfit and threw a, "hey, nice shirt" his way.
He was smitten.
The next few days became a red carpet for Jason as he made his strongest efforts to wear his BEST shirt each day as to gain some compliments from Lindsay, the wardrobe girl. Perhaps it was the fatigue, 14 hour days, or his razor sharp flirt game. Whatever he did worked and they found their way to each other naturally.
Their romance happened quickly and carried them on their first international journey together. Lindsay was hired to do costumes for Soho House Toronto's first annual Halloween party. Taking a chance, Lindsay asked Jason if he'd like to join her for the weekend. Of course, he said yes. It was then that they knew they were a great fit because let's be honest--if you can travel with someone and still like them by the end, the rest is easy (not really, but it works for the story).
Three and a half years, eight campgrounds, nine states, three countries, and one World Series later, the adventures continue and, no doubt, they'll schlep a baby up Half Dome at some point in their lives.
Photography by Sabrina Hill Photography.
SHE SAID YES
a camping proposal
SHE SAID YES
a camping proposal
She said, "there's no way anyone can surprise me." And that was all I needed to hear...
Early 2015, Lindsay and I decided to take a small vacation to Tulum, Mexico after completing two long jobs. Right before we were about to take off, we looked at the weather and it called for rain every single day we would be there. It was a huge bummer, but we had to reschedule. Still itching to leave town and just get away, we looked into the idea of camping in Big Sur. We started to plan away, then right before we were about to leave, one of our animals became sick. Lindsay sat down on the couch and said, "could you please just bring Big Sur here?" I thought, what an interesting idea.
I knew for some time that I wanted to propose to Lindsay. I even had a date in mind and we were already discussing what kind of design she liked for an engagement ring. But the one part of the plan that still felt undecided was how I was going to do it. We've always shared a love for the outdoors and really enjoy the whole process of camping. So, when she she mentioned words of bringing the campsite to our house, I knew I had a plan.
First, THE RING! I told Lindsay that I had a quick documentary job come up in New York and that I had to fly out for the weekend. With the help of so many lovely people out there, I designed the perfect ring for her. She had no idea. Once back, I had to figure out how I was going to bring Big Sur to our living room.
I reached out to an amazing friend of mine who is a Production Designer on a TV show in town. She helped print out a huge vista photograph I took of the Big Sur coastline that I would hang on the wall in the background of our tent/campground. She also supplied me with some fake grass and told me where to get fake rocks to add to the theme. I did a little Pinterest research and figured out how to make a fake fire pit. I added a few camp chairs, some party lights, and cut out a hundred stars and taped them to the ceiling. Most importantly, I found and glittered styrofoam cutout letters that said, "will you marry me?" and applied them to the roof of the tent. There was a campsite in our living room, people! It was pretty amazing. And, of course, I wouldn't be me if I didn't find a way to document everything. So, I borrowed three video cameras for the day (placed strategically) to film the proposal.
The plan was perfect! Couldn't be better. Lindsay told me that in July she was heading back east to Massachusetts for the week before July 4th. Perfect, I thought! I'll turn over the house while she's gone and once she comes home, she'll walk into magical Big Sur with me on my knee and a ring in hand. But, oh wait--I get a phone call from Lindsay and she says, " I have a business meeting right after I get back into LA." Well, that threw a wrench into the whole plan. How can I still make this work? I reached out to Lindsay's sister, Hilary, and best friend, Chelsea, and explained, "You have to help me--here's what I've been planning..." They were so in!!!!!!!!!
It was Sunday, July 5th--a pretty average no surprises kind of day. The plan was to have Hilary and Chelsea get her out of the house for about four hours and over to Hilary's to swim with her nieces and BBQ. I told her I had some work to do across town and that I would meet up with them after. This was a perfect amount of time to create the biggest and best surprise of her life. She left the house and I went to town.
Hours later, after I set everything up and was at her sister's house, I realized (like a true cinematographer), how am I going to turn the video cameras on before she walks through the door to capture that immediate surprise? So, I explained that I had to go get some film equipment across town again and I would meet her at home (I promise I don't lie like this on a regular basis). I rushed home, keeping in touch with her sister and best friend, turned on all the cameras, and sat at the campfire until Lindsay walked through the door.
Needless to say, she said yes! It was absolutely and truly the best moment of my life. And, to see her so happy and so surprised and so out of this world, I knew it was the BEST proposal I could have ever created for the moment. It was us!!!! It represented so many of our shared interests and what better place to freak out at such a monumental moment in life than in the comfort of your own home!
Twenty minutes later, Lindsay's sister, brother-in-law, and nieces joined us alongside her best friend and we popped a bottle of champagne (chilled in a camp cooler, of course) toasting to many more amazing memories to come!
That tent remained up in our living room for three days after the proposal. We just couldn't take it down! It's become our favorite campsite to date :).
-Jason