Guest post by John Yates of Celladora Wedding Photography
The magical moment of a surprise proposal is one that couples cherish forever. As a photographer entrusted with capturing this intimate event, you have the incredible responsibility of freezing time and preserving raw emotions. To ensure you nail every shot, here is a list of essential tips that will help you navigate the unique challenges of photographing a surprise proposal.
Communication Is Key
Have a planning call with the person who will be proposing prior to the event. In this call go over what your proposer has planned so far and fill in any gaps for them. Ensure you have a solid plan and are both on the same page. If they haven’t already selected a location, help them choose a location that will be relatively easy for you both to find. Choosing a location and time of day where it may not be overly crowded is essential if they are wanting a more private, intimate proposal.
Scout The Location
Visit the proposal location ahead of time to get familiar with the lighting conditions, potential angles, and any potential obstacles. Knowing the lay of the land will help you find the best vantage points for your shots. Consider creating a visualization of the proposal location for the proposer so they know exactly where to stand for the big moment. You can do this by simply taking a photo of the location and then photoshopping a silhouette of a couple where you would like them positioned. I also like to find places where I can blend in with the environment, usually playing the role of a tourist taking photos of the landscape with my camera as the couple approaches.
Send Out A Finalized Plan
Once you have confirmed the time and location of the proposal and scouted the location it is time to send the finalized plan to the proposer. Sending this in writing helps avoid any miscommunication and gives you an opportunity to send along your helpful planning materials (visualization of the location and a google maps link and any tips you’d like to pass along). Have them send you a clear photo of themselves and what they will be wearing so you know who to look out for on the day.
Stay Calm Under Pressure
As much as you have planned and prepared, expect the unexpected. Proposals are unpredictable by nature, and unexpected moments may arise. Stay composed and adaptable, ready to adjust your approach on the fly. Choose your lenses and camera settings so you have the best possible chance of capturing the moment as beautifully as you can. Be ready to capture candid reactions, from the initial shock and surprise to the heartfelt joy and tears of happiness. Depending on your style you may want to have multiple camera bodies with different prime lenses so you can capture multiple compositions quickly. Alternatively you may want to select a great zoom lens that will allow you to be in position and capture the moment and reactions.
Proposals happen fast! I’ve had proposers who were down on one knee for literally less than one second (I’m not even sure how they moved that fast!). Make sure you are prepared for this and consider shooting in a burst mode to capture as much of the special moment as you can.
Many proposals happen during sunset or in dimly lit environments. Prepare for low-light conditions by practicing with your equipment beforehand. Using a fast lens and understanding how to adjust your camera settings for low light will be essential.
Be Ready For Magic
Give the couple space to be in the moment while you capture these beautiful reactions to this special moment. You’ll get a sense of when it is time to approach the couple (many times the proposer will point you out or wave you over). Now is your time to shine! Make sure to congratulate the newly engaged couple. After a proposal is a great time to capture some amazing engagement photos! Both the proposer and proposee will still have a lot of adrenaline and be in a really fun state to capture some really genuine moments.
In business since 2011, John is the owner and lead photographer of Celladora Wedding Photography. A photography and videography team based in Nashville, TN. John has had the privilege of documenting over 100 surprise proposals.
