How To Use Your Photographer to Help Plan Your Proposal | Whitney Beth Photography
 

     Right now, in the middle of January, we are in the midsts of the lull between engagement season. Christmas and New Years are big time dates for proposing and next up on the docket is Valentines day! (Or the surrounding days - Danny proposed to me on the 18th of February, coincidently my brother in law proposed to my sister on the 18th too!) Love is in the air, new year, new beginnings, all of this make for the perfect time to propose! Despite being a Utah family and senior photographer, I have photographed my fare share of proposals. So ladies, if you think this Valentines day might be just an extra bit sparkly, no shame in sending your man this link ;) 

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This may seem a bit preemptive, but your fiance will love it! Even when Danny proposed to me, he had his brother and sister in law hide behind a dirt mound and capture it all on film. I love being able to look back at the exact moment. Last year I was able to help orchestrate the proposal for two of my siblings, and the year before I photographed the proposal of a client. 

But how can finding a photographer you trust be beneficial in planning the proposal? Photographers are super valuable when it comes to planning big surprises like this. We know when the light will be good, where to hide, what lens we'll need to stay hidden and we can help keep your soon to be fiance away from suspicion if we know them. 

For example, when Mitch proposed to Julie, she came with me up to the temple under the impression that I needed her to be a human tripod to take some headshots of me. Then I lined her up in the "spot" we had predesignated and boom! proposal! I even went as far as to lay the backstory of my "friend" photographing a bride up at the temple earlier that day and her bouquet got smashed and the petals flew everywhere. - just in case she saw petals before Mitch was ready to pop out.  

With Robert and Olivia, we planned a "family sledding day" and loaded up the van with all the sleds and kids and headed out to hidden valley park. Since I was pregnant with Fields I wasn't sledding and leant Olivia my least distracting snow gear. I had my camera already out and was taking pictures of everyone in the snow. I had Robert lead the way with Olivia following behind. Everyone else followed on the trail behind me. When we got close to "the spot" I had Austin lead everyone away at the fork in the trail. Olivia thought she was still being followed by everyone and didn't suspect a thing when Robert lead her to the clearing and I held back and shot from behind the shrubbery. 

With Ryan and Katie, I wasn't worried about them seeing me, since I had never met Katie before. I talked with Ryan days before and we planned to have me arrive to the restaurant before them and make it look like I was waiting for my date to get there with my camera hidden under the tablecloth. I did such a good job that Kate thought I had been stood up! 

When Austin proposed to Jenna, I was pregnant with Banks and feeling large and in charge. ha. Austin lead Jenna to this clearing off the trail while they were hiking and I was literally hiding in the bushes, on all fours, camera at the ready. Despite my extra body mass I was toting around, Jenna never saw me until after Austin popped the question.

Each proposal I've photographed has been different and unique to each couple. By having Austin, Ryan, Mitch and Robert all talk to me beforehand, we were able to plan out the perfect moment to propose. You'll notice, in every proposal, there is good light, faces can be seen and after the question has been answered, I do a quick, mini shoot to mark the occasion. 

Moral of the story; photographers can be amazing tools in orchestrating and planning your proposal. 

See you on the 14th ;)