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 considering photographing your 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 send you a location ideas list based on what you both like to do and we 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, but it depends on your location and if 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 With Your Photographer

Work with your photographer ahead of time to come up with a plan for how to capture the moment. Depending on the season, a backup plan should also be discussed.

These are generally my go to options.

Hide In Plain Sight

As a husband and wife team, it’s super easy for my hubby Dennis and I to set up a little picnic that hides our cameras with telephoto lens and pretend to be just another couple there, until the big moment. 

(Don’t worry, one of us will always be watching you so we’ll know when the big moment arrives)

Branding Photos Turned Proposal Photos

This is my recommended approach if there’s a chance your soon to be fiancee might know who I am, because let’s be real, your phone listens to you. So if there’s a chance she may have come across my IG or Tiktok (or maybe she’s even following me), being a husband and wife team comes in handy again.

We will be set up right next to your proposal spot and pretend to take “branding photos” of each other. 

You ask us to take a photo with your phone. 

I say yes, of course!

After I’m done taking photos, I mention I’m a wedding photographer and the light looks amazing, could I take a photo of the two of you with my camera? I’d be happy to send the photos after.

I snap a few photos then ask to take one last “arsty” photo. I have your partner face away from you, giving you a chance to pull out the ring and get down on one knee.

After You Propose

In either case, if you’ve hired me as your Whistler proposal photographer, I will wait until you’ve caught your breath, and officially introduce myself and Dennis. 

From there, we’ll do 20 minutes of photos, right then and there so that you have a memory of this moment forever. And I don’t want to keep you from any post-engagement festivities you may have planned. 

How To Get The Best Surprise Engagement Photos 

This one tip will ensure you get the BEST photos of your surprise proposal, especially if we’re hiding in plain sight.

Get down on one knee. Say your speech. Ask them to marry you. Wait for an answer. Put the ring on their finger. Then stand up. In that order.

This will give us enough time to pull out our camera gear and capture the moment with you on 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!

After you stand up, definitely live into the moment! Hug, kiss, laugh, giggle. We’ll capture it all.

Proposal Photography Special

Being able to play a small part in such a big life moment is not lost on me and I am grateful for being a witness to it. And I also know how excited you are to share it with the world! 

24hour Turn Around Time

That is why I always deliver your gallery of amazing surprise proposal within 24 hours. You can expect 15-20 high-resolution images that you can share with family + friends + social

Limited Time Offer!

For a limited-time, I have a special offer for anyone planning to propose in Whistler this winter.

Book me for your surprise proposal and get 15% off any elopement or small wedding package!

Get in touch and mention that you’re planning to propose in Whistler and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours!