Surprise Proposals: How to Plan the Perfect Engagement Shoot
You’ve got the ring. You’ve picked the perfect spot. Now what?
Asking your partner to marry you is one of the biggest, most important steps you can take in your relationship. Whether you’re planning a romantic, showstopping affair or something quiet and intimate, planning a proposal can be both daunting, exciting, and LOTS of fun!
If you want to hire a photographer to capture your beautiful moment, then there are 5 important things to consider before you get down on one knee. From timing to dress, angles and even decoys, with the help of a photographer you can surprise your new fiancé with stunning pictures that you’ll both cherish for years to come. Let’s get you proposal ready!
Location, location, location
As a photographer, we’d never tell you where to propose. But you do need to tell us where you are thinking. When you book your photographer, tools like Google Maps or Street View are wonderful for mapping exactly where you plan to get down on one knee, particularly if it’s a spot we’ve never been to before or you’re not quite sure where to set the scene.
Don’t ever worry about whether the spot is good enough to photograph or not. A spot that is meaningful to you is more important than the absolute perfect backdrop. Over the years, we have waded through rivers in wellies to capture proposals that happened on the river in boats, got members of public to stand at the spot for a photo so I can show you where to propose, got family members to sneak us into a garden, concealed our camera behind security guards on a beach at 5am or under great big jackets on an open seafront! Disguises or even enlisting help from strangers – we will do whatever it takes to get the shot at the right moment.
2. Timing isn’t everything: but it’s still important
Your partner might have a sixth sense that a proposal is on the horizon, but you still want your big moment to be a surprise. As with any surprise, it can be hard to stick to a rigid plan when your partner doesn’t have any idea of what’s about to happen.
When you book your photographer, discuss an idea of timings so that they know when to expect the big question. Are you planning to propose at sunrise or sunset? Perhaps you want to reach a certain point on a walk, hike or boat trip?
Consider what you’re doing before and after you ask the question. We’d always recommend proposing before a meal or event, rather than have to nervously wait until afterwards. That way you can enjoy the moment and toast to your new engagement to round off the day.
3. Be easy to spot
If you’re planning to pop the question out in nature or in public where other people may be around, your photographer needs to be able to easily track you down. The last thing you want is them frantically trying to determine if it’s you and your partner, or just another couple in the wrong place at the wrong time!
Clothing is the biggest help here. Make it extra clear to us what you’ll be wearing when the moment comes, or better yet, take a selfie of you and your partner before the shoot and quickly send it to your photographer. No mistaken identities, no problems.
4. Plan a decoy or props
If you’re worried that your fiancé-to-be won’t love candid photos if they’re not dolled up for the occasion, then why not plan a decoy photoshoot instead? One of our grooms suggested to his unsuspecting soon-to-be-fiancé that they go for a photoshoot in a forest with her friend and their horses. We started the shoot and when the moment was right, he stepped in and got down on one knee. The bride was totally prepared for the camera - totally unprepared for what was about to happen!
5. Consider your angles
Does your future spouse prefer how she looks from a particular side? As with any photoshoot, angles are important. Before your big moment, chat to your photographer about which way your proposee needs to face so that we can capture their reaction. Often this happens with a simple pen and paper and lots of sketches, but it helps to be prepared.
Are you thinking of getting engaged? Check out more of our proposal shots below, and speak to us about planning yours. We can help to make your moment even more magical.
