How I Help Pull Off the Perfect Surprise Proposal!
Planning a surprise proposal can feel like a lot. You’re trying to pick the perfect location, figure out the timing, keep your future fiancé from finding out, and somehow coordinate everything without giving away the surprise.
That’s where I come in.
I’ve photographed enough surprise proposals to know that the little details matter — and sometimes the best-laid plans need a little improvising. Here’s how the process works from the first message all the way through the moment they say yes!
First Things First: How Do You Get in Touch With Me?
The easiest way to get started is through my website. Send me an email, and we’ll start planning from there.
We can email back and forth pretty quickly, which I actually prefer in the beginning. It keeps things discreet so you’re not constantly texting a photographer on your phone while your significant other is sitting right next to you. 😂
Once we have the basic details figured out, we can switch to texting and make everything easier.
From there, we’ll figure out:
What kind of proposal you’re envisioning
Where you want to do it
What day and time work best
How you want me to hide or blend in
Any special details I need to know about your partner
Then, on the day of the proposal, I’ll have you share your location with me so I can keep track of where you are without you having to text me constantly.
That’s really the basic process: contact me, make a plan, pick a location and time, and then let me handle the logistics on the day.
Choosing the Perfect Location
The location can be almost anything. The biggest thing I want you to think about is your person. Do they love being around people? Would they enjoy having strangers nearby when you propose? Or would they be much happier somewhere quiet and private where it feels like the two of you are completely alone? That matters just as much as how pretty the location is.
Your budget can also help narrow things down. There are some locations where professional photography isn't allowed without a fee or special permission, while other places are much easier to work with.
For example, Lawrence and Gardens is beautiful, but I believe they have a photography fee of around $500 and may book the entire space for certain events. They also offer a party room and other amenities, so it can be an amazing option for the right couple — but it can also put the location outside the budget of many couples.
If you want something more discreet and budget-friendly, we can look at places like a spot at Charcoal or Walnut Grove, or I can recommend locations that I know work well for surprise proposals. And if you already have a sentimental location? Even better. Maybe that’s where you met. Maybe it’s where you had your first date. Maybe it’s simply a place that means something to the two of you. Please don't worry that I won't be able to hide there. We can usually figure something out.
Okay, But Where Do You Hide a Photographer?
This is probably one of my favorite parts of planning a surprise proposal. How exactly am I supposed to hide myself so your future fiancé doesn't notice me standing around with a giant camera?
Well... it depends.
It depends on the location, your partner, how crowded the area is, and how you want the proposal to feel. Some couples want me to be completely invisible.
They want the proposal to feel like it's just the two of them. In those situations, I'm doing my best to disappear. Maybe I'm hiding behind a tree. Maybe I'm crouched behind some bushes. Maybe I'm finding the one place where I can see you without you being able to see me. And no, I am probably not going to pretend to be taking pictures of nature.I promise, your significant other is going to figure that out way too quickly. 😂I want the hiding to feel natural, not suspicious.
Option Two: The "Random Photographer" Approach
Another fun option is for me to approach you during the outing and essentially become part of the scene.
Something along the lines of:
"Hey! My family ended up not coming. I would be happy to give you guys a free shoot, just to make this drive worth my while? "
And suddenly, I'm your completely random photographer.
You take a few photos together, I get you comfortable in front of the camera, and then at the right moment, I give you the signal.
You get down on one knee.
And your significant other realizes what's happening.
This option can work really well because your partner already thinks I'm just some random person taking pictures.
Option Three: The Planned Photo Session
Another option is for the proposal to actually be part of a photo session.
Your partner knows you're going to have pictures taken, but they don't know the real reason behind them.
You show up for your "couples session," we take some normal photos, and then I give you a signal when the moment is right.
You get down on one knee, and the surprise happens right in the middle of the session.
This can be a great option if your partner already loves having their picture taken because it doesn't require you to invent some elaborate reason for why a photographer is there.
Option Four: The Sneaky Photographer
And then there's my personal favorite combination.
You know where I'm hiding.
I know where you're coming from.
Your partner has absolutely no idea I'm there.
I keep an eye on your location as you're getting close. When I see you approaching, I get down low, hide, and wait.
Then you pop the question.
Once the proposal happens, I'll come out and start capturing the celebration — but I'll still try to give you two a little space to actually enjoy the moment.
Because that's the important part.
I don't want your partner staring at my camera after they say yes.
I want them looking at you.
Why I Arrive Early
Surprise proposals are one of the reasons I always make sure I arrive early. If your proposal is scheduled for a certain time, I'm generally there at least 15 minutes beforehand.
Why?
Because things happen. For example, at the last proposal I photographed, a memorial walk/run went directly through the location where my couple was supposed to propose.Thankfully, the event was finished before my couple arrived, but imagine if it hadn't been. That could have completely changed the proposal. Arriving early gives me time to look around, see what's happening, make sure our spot is available, and adjust the plan if necessary.
Sometimes that means moving to a different area. Sometimes it means asking someone if they wouldn't mind keeping their kids from running through our spot for a few minutes. And sometimes it means completely changing the hiding location.
The goal is to make sure that when your moment arrives, I'm ready.
What Happens After They Say Yes?
The actual proposal usually doesn't take 30 minutes.
I know you're nervous.
You're probably not trying to spend half an hour down on one knee. 😂
That's why I generally book about 30 minutes for surprise proposals.
The proposal happens, I capture the reaction, and then we turn the rest of the time into a little engagement session.
Now you can relax.
You can look at the ring.
You can hug, kiss, laugh, celebrate, and actually enjoy being engaged.
I'll capture those moments too.
That way, you aren't left with only one picture of the proposal.
You'll have a little collection of the entire experience — walking up together, the proposal, the reaction, the hug, the kiss, showing off the ring, and some beautiful photos of you together afterward.
And Yes, You Get Photos Quickly
One of my favorite parts of offering surprise proposals is getting those first photos back to you quickly.
I offer a 24-hour (or less 😉) turnaround for 5–10 photos from your proposal.
That means you can have beautiful images of the big moment very soon after it happens.
Want to post them on social media? For social media, to send to family or just to have right away for each other. I love being able to give couples something tangible from the day while the excitement is still fresh.
What About Video?
I can also capture a recording of the proposal.
I have a small setup that allows me to attach my phone to my camera. It won't give you professional-quality audio like a dedicated videographer would, but it can capture the actual moment.
So if hiring both a photographer and videographer isn't in your budget, this gives you another way to have a recording of the proposal in addition to your photos.
You get the photos.
You get the moment.
And most importantly, you get to actually experience it together.
The Big Picture
My job isn't just to take pictures of you getting engaged. It's to help you pull off the surprise. I'll help you think through the location, figure out where I can hide, plan how we're going to get you into position, arrive early to make sure there aren't any unexpected problems, and then capture everything once the moment happens. You get to focus on one thing:
asking the person you love to marry you.
I'll worry about the rest.
