As a photographer, there are few moments more exciting than capturing a surprise proposal. It's a moment that's filled with emotion, anticipation, and excitement, and it's a privilege to be able to document it for the happy couple. So we were thrilled when Ethan chose us to be there to capture his proposal. He chose Maymont for the location. Their Italian gardens this time of year cannot be beat! The setting sun and all the blooming flowers were the perfect backdrop for such a romantic moment.
The trick to capturing a surprise proposal is preparation, flexibility, and a cool head. There are so many uncontrollable variables involved. For example, at Maymont on a sunny Saturday afternoon there could be a wedding and if there isn't, the Italian gardens are sure to be filled with people walking around taking selfies, other professionals having a shoot, and people lounging and soaking up the views. We made sure to arrive extra early and pay attention to the ebb and flow of the crowd. We picked a spot where we could see everything and no matter which direction our couple arrived from we would be able to easily capture the big moment. We coordinated with Ethan ahead of time so we knew the approximate spot where he'd kneel down so we made sure to be close by. The last thing we wanted was to see the action happening but have a crowd or a bystander get in between us and the moment. Having the correct equipment helps a lot too. A long lens helps tighten up the shot so physical proximity isn't a necessity and one of the latest camera bodies can take 30 pictures in a second silently so sweet moments like this surprise proposal are captured completely and unobtrusively.
It was so exciting watching the proposal unfold, seeing the look of surprise and joy on the bride-to-be's face. A crowd gathered in the gardens and we snapped away, capturing every detail of the proposal, from the moment Ethan got down on one knee to the moment they embraced.
The post-proposal shoot was just as magical, as the couple was still buzzing with excitement and joy. We spent the next hour capturing beautiful images of the newly engaged couple, making sure to capture every smile, every laugh, and every tender moment.
