Everyone wishes to have their proposal captured and hung up on their walls. As a photographer, one focuses on covering the couples’ love, excitement, and raw emotions. While witnessing an outdoor proposal is a surreal experience, capturing the proposal story at an outdoor location is problematic for new photographers.

As an outdoor portrait photographer from St Mary’s, GA, I know exactly how those challenges can make or break capturing a proposal perfectly. I adore photographing families, toddlers, couples, and weddings. However, my heart has a particular corner for proposal photographs due to the raw and honest displays of the couple’s emotions. Based on experience from wedding and engagement photography in St Simons Island, GA, I have some hacks for budding photographers to ace capturing the Outdoor Proposal!!

How to photograph a Proposal

Know the Plan:

The first step is to know the plan! Most likely, whoever booked with you (It is not just the guy proposing anymore!!) already has a proposal plan. Respect their vision and make sure you know how you can make it reality! Get the details- location, time, & story why you are there (Or if you are hiding). Big Tip here guys – have a signal for when the proposal is happening so you can definitely prepared.

Location:

Visit the site and get acquainted with the location in advance. Here is the Key! Visit at the same time on another day when you know the proposal will take place! This helps you get a feel for the lighting and the perfect spots to take those epic angles from! If you want to go above and beyond, you can even send the spots to the groom for the perfect natural light so they know where to get down on one knee. While checking out the lighting, keep a lookout for the perfect hiding spot if the other party does not know you will be there.

Photographer’s Role in capturing a Proposal

Blend:

During a proposal, the photographer needs to blend in with the crowd, background or their hiding spot. Neutral clothes and quiet shoes are important. Again, this moment is about the couple so do not be a distraction & pull attention away from what you are all there for!

Proper Equipment:

This moment is about the couple! Neither of them wants a complete stranger in their face trying to take pictures of a very intimate moment. Use a zoom lens so you can capture those tight & wide pictures while still providing the couple with space to feel alone. After years of being an outdoor portrait photographer in St Mary’s, GA, I know to always be prepared. Have off camera speed lights ready and maybe your favorite portrait lens ready for after the proposal is done.

Camera ready:

Photographers have a very small window for capturing the raw emotions. Can be anywhere between 30 to 60 seconds. Therefore, you need to keep on clicking photos! So Automatic Focus, continuous shooting, & High shutter speed are crucial. Walk into this shoot with a list of moments in mind! Maybe you are standing somewhere behind or to the side for that wide angle shot of the proposer down on one knee looking up at their significant other. Whatever you have in mind, make sure you are in the right position for it in advance!

The most important part is to enjoy the moment as much as the couple is! Wedding and engagement photography in St Simons Island, GA has taught me that your heart needs to be in it. These are moments where you are a part of someone else’s story and it’s not about you. It is so easy to think it’s “easy money” but if you are not doing it for the right reasons then you will burn out quickly.

Are you looking for a wedding photographer in Kingsland, St Simons Island or Sea Island Georgia?

Hi! I’m Calli, a Georgia family photographer and wedding photographer specializing in candid and authentic photos that capture the love, fun and true personalities of each person. I am happy to serve couples along the coast line of Georgia, from Savannah Georgia to Jacksonville Florida. You ready to have an amazing time together for your family session & wedding day? Message me today!