I recently had an opportunity to do a surprise engagement shoot, and I thought I would share some thoughts and tips with you if you are thinking about doing one and involving a photographer :)
A surprise proposal doesn't have to end right after the actual kneeling down. It's a good time to do an engagement shoot immediately afterwards, which allows you to capture both the real engagement moment and the engagement shoot. So, if you have never considered an engagement shoot, you could get some extra photos without spending additional money on doing it separately at a different time, unless you find it fun and both you and your partner would like to do it anyway.
Make sure you prepare your partner in a way that they dress up nicely so they can look great in the photos.
When photos are involved, we all want to look our best, so sometimes you need to come up with a story to convince your partner, who may not usually wear fancy clothes or makeup, to do so. Depending on the vibe you want to create, try to persuade them to dress appropriately for the occasion.
Choose a location with good lighting.
This is a very important aspect. The surprise engagement I experienced happened in a very dark restaurant, which created an intimate atmosphere but had very little light. From a photography perspective, the less light, the more challenging it is to capture everything without using the camera flash and potentially ruining the moment. Nowadays, cameras can only do so much, so if possible, try to think of a location that has sufficient natural light, such as the outdoors.
Take some props for better photo effects.
There are a few things you could take with you if you manage to hide them, or alternatively, you can ask the photographer to arrange them for you:
- Flowers usually work great, especially red roses or your partner's favorite flowers.
- A bottle of champagne to make a celebratory toast. Alternatively, if you don't drink alcohol, there are also non-alcoholic champagne options available.
- Two glasses for the champagne, unless you want to drink straight from the bottle.
- Engagement party props, like those found on this link.
Work with your photographer.
Photographers are often happy to help you plan an event like this. They can suggest good locations, provide ideas, or assist in organizing everything to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the day.
If you are thinking about proposing and looking for a photographer to capture the moment, please get in touch. I am happy to help you capture it!
