Finding “The One” is an essential part of getting engaged. No, not that “One” – you’ve already found them – we mean the other “One”! Most proposals happen between two people, but if you’re planning a proposal photoshoot to pop the question, there’s a third person involved: the marriage proposal photographer. Asking your loved one to marry you is a once-in-a-lifetime moment – that’s what makes it so exhilarating! – so it’s important to find the photographer to capture it.
But don’t worry! You don’t have to work it all out on your own: we’re proposal experts, so we’ve got everything you need to think about below.
Here’s our guide on how to choose a proposal photographer who’ll capture your moment flawlessly – we’ve come up with six questions that will lead you to the perfect person!
Do you like the photographer’s work?
This one may seem obvious, but it’s so important it needs to be repeated: make sure you pick a proposal photographer whose work you like!
Professional photography is about so much more than being able to point and click. There are all sorts of techniques, such as lighting and editing, that can totally transform the end result. Therefore, it’s crucial to pick a photographer whose style you love, as you’ll want to treasure the photos forever.
Do you like the proposal photographer’s approach?
There are a couple of ways you can incorporate a photoshoot into your engagement, which you can read more about here. If you’re choosing to plan the photoshoot and pretend it’s for something else, then it’s also really important that you like your photographer’s approach, as well as their photography style.
What’s more, you want to make sure that you feel comfortable and relaxed around your marriage proposal photographer. You want to try and keep calm so you don’t get too nervous before the big question and so you look like yourself in the photos! Being in front of the camera might not feel natural to everyone, but marriage proposal photographers have a ton of experience in making you forget that the camera’s even there. For this reason, when you’re working out who to pick as your proposal photographer, it’s a good idea to pick someone who you get on with.
Have they shot proposals before?
When you’re looking at their portfolio to decide whether you like their style, see if they’ve shot proposals before. These might not feature immediately on their website or Instagram, so feel free to email them asking for any proposals they’ve photographed that they can share with you.
In contrast with the stereotype of photography where models can be kept in one pose for hours whilst everything is made just right, proposals are instantaneous, fast-paced and full of emotions. This means your proposal photographer has a much smaller window to capture the moment.
Luckily, nowadays, a lot of wedding photographers practice documentary, candid-style wedding photography where they take photos as they happen in the moment. This method works very well for proposal photography. So, even if they haven’t got any previous experience with engagements, their work will still give you a feel for their ability to immortalise a moment.
Does the proposal photographer know the location?
Due to the previously mentioned rapid nature of proposal photography, another thing to look for when deciding on a marriage proposal photographer is someone who knows the location well. In the run-up, they’ll be able to help with picking the best place for you to pop the question, taking into consideration the lighting, timing, footfall if it’s a busy area, and, of course, the most beautiful backdrops your area has to offer! They’ll also be able to suggest somewhere they can hide discreetly but with a clear view, ensuring they get that all-important angle. Most importantly, it also means they’ll be able to offer solutions and alternatives if something happens last-minute that means you may have to adjust the course slightly.
Can’t I just get someone I know to do it?
Another question that often comes up when you’re picking a proposal photographer is, ‘Can’t I just get my friend who’s good with a camera to do it?’ Well, if your friend truly is handy with a camera, they may well be able to take the photo – but will they be discreet? Do you trust that they’ll be able to hide well enough, or will your partner recognise them and spoil the surprise?
Can we use the photos how we want?
This isn’t just something to consider when deciding on a marriage proposal photographer, but any supplier for anything! Make sure whoever you choose offers what you want: for example, using the photographs for Save The Dates, invites, or Christmas cards, perhaps. Also, make sure you’re on the same page with announcements: you’re obviously so gorgeous they’ll want to splash you on their social media, but if your relationship is more private, you might want to ask them not to or at least not until you’ve told your loved ones!
So there we are, six questions to ask when picking a proposal photographer. If you’re planning your proposal photoshoot and want more tips, you can check out our guide here.
