I have been photographing surprise proposals for the last ten years. I have learned a thing or two about being prepared for very possibility that might occur on your engagement day. The main concern many clients have is inclement weather. As you know, the weather is often unpredictable here in North Eastern Florida. This is especially true at sunset time. One minute it can be sunny and beautiful and the next it is raining. The last thing you want to do is let a little rain ruin your special day. So, what can you do to prepare for rain on the day of your engagement session? I have compiled a list of some ideas to help you prepare for this situation.

Surprise proposals are always exciting for me to capture, but this recent session was THE best. You may ask why? Well, because this session breaks ties with tradition. This proposal features a woman who asked her boyfriend to marry her and I just love it.

We are approaching Summer, which is not only my favorite season, but it is also my busiest time of year for engagement sessions. I truly love surprise proposal sessions. No matter how many couples I capture, each and every couple is very special to me. I know how important this milestone is and I am always honored to be a part of it.

When my client first contacted me, he wasn’t exactly sure where to ask his girlfriend to marry him. He had a few ideas in mind, but wasn’t really committed to a location. I have each and very client fill out a questionnaire when they book me. This questionnaire helps me to get to know the couple and also helps me to narrow down the best location for their engagement. My goal is to try and choose a scenic location that will not arouse any suspicion and is true to the couple’s personality and interests. I suggested a few locations, but this beach in the North Fork felt the most true to the couple and my client’s goals for the session.

Proposal photography has become a large segment of my business. Although I probably get as anxious as the groom does for these, I love surprise proposal sessions so much. It is such a special moment to be a part of, so when a client chooses me to photograph this for them, I take it very seriously and put 100000% into the session. Most of the time, the couple ends up feeling like extended family to me. I just get so happy for them.

This recent session took place in Long Beach. Now, I know I might be biased because I live here, but I really can’t think of a better spot to propose than right on the shore at sunset. When I met the client for his pre session consult, we chose the ideal spot on the beach and came up with a plan to capture the moment. He brought his friend along to the meeting, who was going to arrive early on the day of the proposal to use sand dollars and create a message in the sand saying, “Marry Me?”

When I spoke to this particular client via phone in early July about a proposal session, I knew that this session was going to be really special and I was both elated and honored to be a part of it. He really wanted to keep this plan a secret and had told no one, with the exception of me, about his plans. To avoid arousing her suspicion, his plan was to ask her to marry him on his birthday. I thought this was a genius idea, as no girl would ever suspect this momentous occasion to occur on her boyfriend’s birthday. It also was super romantic.

During our initial phone consult, he had a few ideas on location and I helped him to narrow it down to the site at which he planned to pop the question. There are a lot of things to consider when planning a secret proposal. You have to make sure that the location is one that will not arouse suspicion and is one that is likely for you to visit together. There are also other things to consider and I go over all of these details during the pre proposal meeting that I schedule with each and every client who books a proposal session.

I always tell my clients that getting engaged is the happiest moment one can experience in life. Of course, there are other moments, like the wedding or having your children that are joyous, but those first few moments right after you get engaged are like no other moment in life. It is because of that pure joy that I love photographing surprise proposals so much and I am always honored to be a part of the moment.

Not only does photographing this type of engagement session require the client to have faith in my ability to capture the moment, but he must also depend on my reliability during what is amongst the most intimate and joyous occasions that one can celebrate in life. Because I know how nerve wracking this process can be for a groom to be, my first priority for this type of session is to put the groom at ease and help him to feel confident in my ability to capture the moment. I do this by maintaining open communication throughout the planning process.

In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the last two weeks have been a whirlwind of uncertainty and fear. The media has been bombarding us with terrifying stories, the local grocery store shelves are bare and social media is filled with memes, articles and posts that further perpetuate the fear and madness.

In the midst of the hysteria, I had the privilege to witness what life is all about: love. I photographed an adorable couple as they embarked on a new stage of life together at the swanky TWA hotel. This couple’s love story is much like a storybook. The groom is from the Amalfi Coast in Italy. He met his bride while she was there visiting her father’s family, who also lives in Italy. The two began courting when he visited the states. Afterwards, they engaged in a long distance relationship that involved commuting between countries to see each other until he ultimately moved to the US.

I always feel honored when I am asked to photograph a surprise proposal. Not only does photographing this type of engagement session require the client to have faith in my ability to capture the moment, but he must also depend on my reliability during what is amongst the most intimate and joyous occasions that one can celebrate in life. Because I know how nerve wracking this process can be for a groom to be, my first priority for this type of session is to put the groom at ease and help him to feel confident in my ability to capture the moment. I do this by maintaining open communication throughout the planning process.

When I was contacted a few months ago by the groom to be, I knew that this engagement session was going to be really special. The groom concocted what just might be the most carefully thought out and intimate plan to propose to his girlfriend. The groom was planning his top secret proposal at Bailey Arboretum in Lattingtown, which is one of the best locations in the Long Island Region. As the arboretum is quiet, secluded and provides a wide array of botanicals, it would provide a perfect backdrop for the moment.

It is always a true honor to be asked to photograph a surprise proposal. Not only does photographing this type of engagement session require the client to have faith in my ability to capture the moment, he must also depend on my reliability during what is amongst the most intimate and joyous occasions that one can celebrate in life.

When I was contacted a few months ago by the groom to be, I knew that this engagement session was going to be really special and I was elated to be a part of it. With the help of his brother, the groom concocted a stellar plan to propose to his girlfriend at one of the best locations in the Long Island Region. The groom was planning his top secret proposal at Macari Vineyards in Mattituck. I can’t think of a better place to start the journey to marriage together.

I recently had the privilege of being a part of a top secret surprise proposal. The groom and his family put together the ultimate surprise proposal plan that took place right here on the Boardwalk in Long Beach.  When the groom's sister contacted me to see if I could photograph the engagement, I was thrilled to be a part of it and I knew that it was going to be fun filled and momentous.