HOW WE PULLED OFF THE PERFECT SURPRISE PROPOSAL | Cotswolds surprise proposal photographer

Samuel got in touch with me with a very exciting mission… he wanted to propose to Lucy, and he wanted every second of it captured without her suspecting a thing. There are two ways to photograph a surprise proposal. The first is the classic “hide in the bushes” approach. I’ll quietly lurk in the background with a long lens, behaving as a tourist and pretending I’m definitely not photographing you. This does work well, but can also have unforeseen issues such as random people walking in front of you or the proposal not happening exactly where you would like for it to happen.
 
The second option, and my personal favourite, is to book a couple’s photoshoot without your partner knowing a proposal is coming. They simply think they’re having some lovely photos taken together, while you’re secretly carrying a ring in your pocket and trying to act completely normal. This approach gives me so much more control as I can choose the perfect location, make the most of the light and position yourself beautifully for the moment you go down on one knee.
 
For Samuel and Lucy, we decided on the second option.

Samuel and I had a call where we discussed all the various options and then stayed in touch via e-mail right up to a few hours before the shoot, making sure everything was going to be just right. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect. We met in beautiful Lower Slaughter during golden hour, with the little stone bridge providing the most romantic backdrop . The soft evening light was absolutely gorgeous and everything was carefully planned so that when the moment arrived, it would be picture perfect.

To begin with, we simply enjoyed a relaxed couples shoot. I always like to start with a few fun prompts and little games to help couples forget there’s a camera around. Within a few minutes, Samuel and Lucy were laughing, chatting and completely at ease.

Of course, all the while Samuel had one very important secret tucked safely away in his pocket!

HOW WE PLANNED THE PERFECT SURPRISE PROPOSAL

Before the shoot, Samuel and I had agreed on one specific prompt that would be our secret signal. As soon as I asked it, he knew this was his moment to drop down on one knee and ask ‘the big question’.

Lucy’s reaction was everything you could hope for. Complete surprise, lots of happy tears and the biggest smile imaginable. Those are the moments I absolutely love photographing because nothing is posed or planned. It’s simply two people experiencing one of the biggest moments of their lives together. 

Once Lucy had said “Yes!” (thank goodness!), we spent another 30 minutes wandering around Lower Slaughter capturing some relaxed engagement portraits while they soaked it all in. No more secrets, no more nerves, just lots of excitement and a brand new ‘just engaged couple’ enjoying the moment together.
 
It’s one of the reasons I love photographing surprise proposals so much. Not only do you get the incredible emotion of the proposal itself, but you also leave with a beautiful collection of natural photographs to remember the beginning of your engagement.
 

If you’re thinking about proposing and are looking for a Cotswolds surprise proposal photographer, I’d love to help you plan it. Whether you fancy the undercover “photographer in the bushes” approach or a disguised couples shoot like Samuel and Lucy chose, I’ll help make sure everything runs smoothly so you can concentrate on the only question that really matters.