How to Photograph a Surprise Proposal

When photographing a proposal, you’re standing witness to a couple’s decision to spend their lives together, and they’ll forever relive the memory through your eyes. No pressure, right?

As a former newspaper photojournalist, I’m familiar with high-stakes photography. You get the shot, or the paper won’t feature that moment in history. But I’d never photographed something so intimate and special as a proposal.

Brief backstory: My friend’s friend John and his girlfriend Sherine were visiting Buenos Aires, and secretly, John planned to propose. He got in touch with the manager at Hotel Panamericano and plotted out a location. Through our mutual friend, John contacted me to photograph the proposal.

I said yes.

Following is my advice as a first-time proposal photographer and lifelong romantic.

Bring back-up

Initially, I’d planned to photograph the proposal alone. But after a bit of consideration (aka midnight thoughts like, “What if I don’t get the shot? What if my camera suddenly dies? What if I suddenly die?”), I realized it would be wise to bring along a second shooter.

I asked a friend — the incomparable Megan Landes — and we planned to meet at the hotel to scope out the scene. Fortunately, we decided to…

Arrive early

John had prearranged the details of the proposal site, but like many plans in Argentina, it changed. On P-Day, Megan and I arrived an hour early to set up shop, and we discovered the hotel staff painting the place John had chosen. Cue adrenaline!

Figuring he wouldn’t want to wait for paint to dry to propose to Sherine, we ran around the hotel looking for an alternative location. This, obviously, was not ideal. Luckily for us, John had the foresight to choose a swanky spot with plenty of great views and very helpful staff. Megan and I settled on a VIP lounge and moved around furniture to allow for clear views of the couple in action. (I’m going to pretend that doesn’t sound creepy.)

If possible, I’d suggest meeting with the proposer at the site a couple of days in advance. Tell them where to stand. Show them where their partner should stand. Squelch nerves by demonstrating that you’ve got this under control — and that they will, too.

Stay in touch

Because we didn’t have the luxury of meeting in advance, John and I communicated via text message. I didn’t want to bother them throughout the day, so I kept the conversation to a minimum. The morning of, I sent him a short checklist of things to bring. Later in the day, after Megan and I realized we’d have to switch the location, I told him what to say at the front desk, where to go in the hotel and where to stand on the balcony. Thereafter, we waited.

Record it on video

Megan and I settled into our respective locations: me “reading” at a table inside and her “photographing the scenery” on the balcony. (Side note and shoutout to the value of two angles: Megan captured the fantastic featured image for this article. If we weren’t able to divide and conquer, I doubt John and Sherine would have as good of photos documenting the proposal.) Indoors, I thought in the last minute to set up my cell phone to capture the moment on video.

I’d advise photographers to consider this in advance by hiding the phone and hitting record. Everything in a proposal happens so quickly, so filming it allows the couple to relive the moment in its entirety.

Approach with caution

Shortly after Sherine said yes, she also said, “These people are taking pictures of us!” This signaled our opportunity to approach the couple and introduce ourselves.

My advice is to wait as long as possible for this moment. Particularly if the proposal is a total surprise, there will be a whole range of emotions to capture. Let the couple experience the moment together, and then when they notice you, speak clearly and directly. Tell them your name and your role: “We’re Alicia and Megan, and John hired us to photograph your proposal. Congratulations!” Don’t worry about explaining too many details; at this point, they probably won’t even register your name. Also don’t worry about getting any portraits just yet. Instead, let them sit, call family, toast champagne and revel in the excitement.

Pack the essentials

In preparation for the day, I’d told John to pack Sherine’s makeup bag so she could touch up before photos. Great idea in theory, but with so much on his mind, he understandably forgot it. (No worries — he remembered the ring!) Sherine is luminous without makeup, but she mentioned several times that she wished she could freshen up.

Along with camera equipment, I’d recommend bringing a simple makeup kit with tissues, powder, blush and mascara. The goal is to enable your couple to feel confident and pampered. As a bonus, photos turn out a whole lot better when someone actually wants to show their face.

Let it sink in

John and Sherine are incredibly charismatic people, and I had so much fun photographing them that we tacked on a second day of a photoshoot around Buenos Aires. We walked the city streets, drank some cocktails at an outdoor bar and wandered through the rose gardens.

I prefer capturing candid moments, but people often feel — and thus look — uncomfortable while being photographed in public. Understandable. You can set your couple at ease by calling out three simple poses: look into the camera, look at each other, give your partner a kiss! Tell them where to stand and, if necessary, where to put their hands. Also, let them know that they look GREAT. The camera shyness will dissipate in no time.

If possible, I would recommend suggesting some extra time beyond the big moment. During the proposal, you see the bursts of feelings — from nerves to surprise to relief to excitement. In the hours and days that follow, you glimpse the deep and unique love that will carry them through all the moments to come.

See? Lifelong romantic.