Are you planning the ultimate surprise for your girlfriend or boyfriend – a proposal!? This is a HUGE moment and you want everything to be absolutely perfect. From the setting, to the set up, to capturing the exact moment for sharing with family and friends, it has to be planned perfectly. When hiring a photographer to photograph the big moment, here are some very important things to consider, how to plan, and questions to ask.
EXPERIENCE
Has the photographer ever photographed a proposal before? Ask to see examples of their work, to be sure they’re capturing the moment the way you want/expect. Are they going to be able to know where exactly to stand, and have the right equipment? An experienced photographer can read the moment, and be ready to shoot when the time is right. Take the advice of your photographer on the best place to stand, so you get the best possible shots.
LOCATION
Choosing the right location at the right time of day is key, because you want to be able to share photographs that are not only emotional (content) but beautiful (professionally framed and shot). Be sure your photographer knows *exactly* what each location you are considering looks like at different hours of the day.
Too much sunshine at noon? Then consider moving the location, or the time of day to later in the evening for better light. Too crowded in the evening? Maybe shoot earlier, and avoid the evening crowd. Make sure your photographer knows this location well, and it is an appropriate setting to pop the question, and that it makes sense for you to be there. A spot near restaurants makes sense, as a cover for why you’re there all dressed up. Ask your photographer for the best possible locations, without distractions, that will have good light at the time you want to propose.
SET UP
If you choose a more quiet location such as a park, you can set up a little surprise before hand. I’ve had clients use signs, a picnic basket with champagne, a trail of of rose petals (careful of wind!), bouquets of flowers, and balloons to mark the spot.
Your photographer should be there before you, and can help make sure the spot doesn’t get spoiled by passersby or the wind. You want it perfect for when your intended sees it! Make sure to ask your photographer if they can help secure the location before hand, and be there early.
A RUSE
You want the proposal to be a surprise, so you’ll need some help with the ruse! Enlist the help of your family and friends, to keep your soon-to-be-fiance in the dark.
She’ll want her hands looking Instagram ready, so have a sister or friend take her out for a manicure. Book a restaurant, so she’ll have a reason to dress up with make up. You could also say you booked a photographer for birthday/holiday/anniversay/V-Day photos, and this helps explain why there is a photographer waiting at the spot! Or your photographer can discretely hide, and then pop out when the moment arrives.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PHOTO PACKAGE
There are many different kinds of sessions that photographers offer. Make sure the session package you are choosing will get you enough photos to actually have a good sense of the event.
Most photographers offer full sessions (usually $750-$1200) with a lot of digital images, as well as print options. Some also offer mini sessions for under $400 – but watch the fine print to see how many photos you get. Some offer as little as 3 digital images for that price point.
I offer a perfect little mini session that gives you great coverage of this exciting event, for a lower price point than full sessions. Click here to check out my Mini Session Deal!
For more information about planning your surprise proposal or engagement photography session, email me directly with this CONTACT FORM.