How To Plan A Surprise Proposal Photoshoot
Deciding to ask your best friend to spend the rest of their life with you is a big deal! It’s a big life moment and the beginning of a brand new adventure for both of you!
If you’re planning a surprise proposal, this blog is going to help you find the perfect photographer so that you have amazing memories of this day.
Find A Photographer
Start your search 3-4 months ahead so that you have time to look at various photographers’ work + style to choose someone you think you’d feel comfortable with and who can help you plan your surprise proposal so that you have amazing photos of it.
Choose The Location + Time For Your Proposal Photoshoot
If you have a location in mind, be sure to share it with your photographer so that they can advise on what time the light would look the best.
If you don’t have anything specific in mind, your photographer can help with that. If you’ve hired me, I’ll send you a list of location ideas based on what you both like to do, and we’ll go from there.
Whenever I am photographing people in love, I always recommend we do our shoot at golden hour, which is about 1 hour before sunset, or when you lose the sun behind mountains/buildings before that.
Together, we’ll determine the best place for you to do your surprise proposal and make sure you're both facing in the direction the light is best.
Plan The Rest Of The Day + Evening
This is an exciting day that deserves celebration! It’s one of life’s big moments that is meant to be shared, even privately just the two of you, in a special way.
Tips For Getting Your Partner To Dress Up
If you have a weekly date night, suggesting a slightly fancier restaurant that requires a dresscode to follow is an easy way to secretly get your partner to dress up.
I even heard of someone who secretly packed their partner a change of clothing since they were going on a hike and he knew she would want to be a little bit more dressed up for the photos.
Hiding The Ring Until The Right Moment
Most rings come in a cube-like box, which is honestly kinda bulky and incredibly obvious. You’ve managed to keep the ring hidden for this long, the last thing you want to happen is your partner accidentally feeling the ring box when you hug and ruining your surprise proposal plan!
This slim ring box from Amazon is a great alternative.
Coordinate Your Surprise Proposal Photoshoot With Your Photographer
Work with your photographer ahead of time to come up with a plan for how to capture the moment.
These are generally my go-to options.
On the DL
As a husband and wife team, it’s super easy for my hubby Dennis and I to happen to be there, taking photos of each other and the scenery, while subtley watching you and as soon as you start your proposal, we’ll immediatly shift and start photographing you both!
Hide In Plain Sight
This is my recommended approach. We’ll start the same way but we’ll be standing in the same spot that you plan to propose.
When you arrive, you ask me to take a photo of the two of you,
As soon as I’m done taking photos with your phone, you start your proposal!
After You Propose
Once your partner says yes, we will keep our distance until you’ve thoroughly relished the moment and are ready to continue.
From there, we’ll do about 15-20 minutes of photos, right then and there, so that you have memories of this moment forever, without keeping you from any post-engagement festivities you may have planned.
How To Get The Best Surprise Proposal Photos
This one tip will ensure you get the BEST photos of your surprise proposal, especially if you plan to get down on one knee to propose.
Get down on one knee.
Present the ring.
Say your speech.
Ask them to marry you.
Wait for an answer.
Put the ring on their finger.
Stand up and have a cuddle
This will give me enough time to grab my camera and capture the moment with you on a bent knee. Sometimes, the excitement and nerves kick in, and you are only down on one knee for about 5 seconds. I get it, it’s such an exciting moment.
But following these steps will set us up for success in capturing THE best proposal photos!