Photographer launches worldwide search for mystery couple he snapped mid-proposal in Yosemite park

Sarah Young
Monday 22 October 2018 10:59 BST
Comments

A photographer in the US is searching to find a mystery couple he snapped mid-proposal on a 3,500-ft drop ledge in Yosemite Park, California.

Matthew Dippel, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was visiting Yosemite with his friend Josh as the pair ventured on a road trip to Los Angeles.

The two friends decided to stop at the national park, which is known for its dramatic cliff faces and waterfalls, so that they could capture some photos from Taft Point at sunset.

Dippel set up his camera alongside a group of other photographs and tourists, waiting for Josh to take his turn at the drop ledge when a couple made their way to the edge wearing a suit and floor-length dress.

The 24-year-old watched as the couple shared an intimate moment and, as he had his camera ready to go, decided to capture their picturesque proposal.

After taking the shots of Josh, Dippel raced around to Taft Point to try and find the couple he had photographed but, with so many people waiting in the area, he was unable to locate them.

Not ready to give up, Dippel decided to share the photograph on Twitter alongside the caption: “Twitter help, idk who these two are but I hope this finds them.

“I took this at Taft Point at Yosemite National Park, on October 6th, 2018.”

The image has since been shared more than 300,000 times and flooded with almost 150,000 comments.

The response to the photograph has been mixed with some users accusing it of being faked, many of which have pointed to the couple’s formal clothing.

“She got up there with a dress on?” one person wrote.

Another added: “They hiked all the way up there in formal wear?”

However, a quick search for #taftpoint on Instagram proves that it is a popular spot for both proposals and weddings meaning it is not altogether unlikely that the shot was staged.

Despite his best efforts, the freelance photographer is yet to find the couple in the photograph but is hopeful that he will soon be able to share the special moment with them.

“I still have hope, because it continues to gain attention and hopefully it'll find them. I'm honestly surprised it hasn't already!” he told the BBC.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in