Getting engaged is a monumental milestone in life. It is the start of a lifetime commitment to your significant other and a moment that is the foundation on which the rest of your life rests. It is also a moment that should be special and meaningful. Many of my clients struggle with how to make this moment special, but I am here to reassure you that no matter what you do, I promise it will be special because this memory is unique to you as a couple. Hopefully, that sentiment relieves a bit of stress; but, if you want to know how to have a successful SURPRISE proposal, I am going to give you a few tips to pull it off.

June is always a very busy time of year for engagements. The weather has started to warm up, people are getting outdoors more and it is the perfect time to ask your loved one to marry you. I get a lot of inquiries for this type of session and many clients are often interested in the beach as a possible location. I just love photographing surprise proposals and I love capturing them at the beach. Although the beach is a great spot to start your life as a couple together, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that this location is best for your proposal.

I know I say it all the time, but I truly love photographing proposals. There is nothing quite as special as capturing couples as they embark on their life’s journey together. I am always humbled and honored when I am asked to photograph engagements and as my clients will tell you, I put my heart and soul into ensuring that your day goes off without a hitch. I want your day to be absolutely perfect and I will work with you to make sure it is nothing short of that.

Surprise proposals are always exciting for me to capture, but this recent session was THE best. You may ask why? Well, because this session breaks ties with tradition. This proposal features a woman who asked her boyfriend to marry her and I just love it.

I am excited to share this recent proposal session featuring a truly sweet couple. They met at The Inn in Long Beach and my client wanted to propose to her in town. He wanted to shoot on the beach at sunset, but needed some help choosing the right time, spot and other details, with which I happily assisted him.

The most important part of a secret proposal is having a solid plan in place, which is why I always meet with my clients prior to any proposal session. During this meeting, we choose a specific location, go over backup plans and discuss other pertinent details that set your day up for success.

I never thought that anything could top a surprise proposal at sunset on the water, but this recent session has proven me wrong. I recently had the pleasure of photographing the most adorable couple for a secret engagement at the Bayshore Marina and we had what was arguably the most perfect night for photos. The session took place on a crystal clear 84 degree September evening and as the sun was setting, the moon was also rising. It was one of those rare evenings when the full moon appeared brightly in the sky exactly as the sun was setting. I am not sure that anything can ever top this evening because I am pretty sure that moonlit engagement photos are the epitome of romance.

This recent engagement session warms my heart. The couple has such a sweet love story. They met in elementary school, dated in middle school for a brief time, reconnected in college and have been together ever since. To say that they are meant to be is an understatement. One of their first dates was a walk on the path along the Cross Island Parkway and it is a place they visit frequently. So, my client wanted to propose to her near that area. His plan was a great one. Choosing a location that is authentic to you as a couple is one way to avoid arousing suspicion for the big day.

This recent surprise proposal session is about as romantic as it gets. It took place on a gorgeous beach on one of the most gorgeous Summer evenings during a spectacular sunset. My client was out east with his girlfriend. He spent the day on the beach with her, took her out for a beautiful dinner and they ended the evening with a walk along a gorgeous beach with a natural and unblemished shoreline during sunset. However, unbeknownst to his girlfriend, their evening stroll was prearranged and coordinated by both my client and myself.

Proposal sessions always have such a special place in my heart. It isn’t only because I am privileged enough to capture such a special moment in life, but it is also because I really get to know my clients during the planning process. Because I communicate with my clients often during the planning process, by the time, the actual engagement happens, I truly feel such immense joy for the couple that I am photographing. In fact, it is a challenge for me to keep my emotions at bay during the proposal because I just feel so elated for the couple.

We are approaching Summer, which is not only my favorite season, but it is also my busiest time of year for engagement sessions. I truly love surprise proposal sessions. No matter how many couples I capture, each and every couple is very special to me. I know how important this milestone is and I am always honored to be a part of it.

When my client first contacted me, he wasn’t exactly sure where to ask his girlfriend to marry him. He had a few ideas in mind, but wasn’t really committed to a location. I have each and very client fill out a questionnaire when they book me. This questionnaire helps me to get to know the couple and also helps me to narrow down the best location for their engagement. My goal is to try and choose a scenic location that will not arouse any suspicion and is true to the couple’s personality and interests. I suggested a few locations, but this beach in the North Fork felt the most true to the couple and my client’s goals for the session.