A Lake Michigan Engagement in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Klode Park
Hiring a proposal photographer can be really special. But it’s not the right choice for every couple! While Joe and I are professional wedding photographers ourselves, we didn’t hire a proposal photographer when we got engaged in April. (Joe didn’t know exactly when it was going to happen, but we ended up getting engaged outside of Plain Spoke Cocktail Co in Madison!) That being said, we absolutely LOVE photographing this moment for other couples and know they don’t regret having pictures of their proposal one bit. To determine if a proposal photographer is right for you and to find tips for hiring one, read on, then scroll to the end to see an example of a recent proposal we photographed!
Why You Should Hire A Proposal Photographer
- You’ll love having the photos to look back on
- You can share the moment with your loved ones
- You’ll have professional photos to share right away
You’ll love having the photos to look back on
When we ask couples to tell us their proposal story, the answer almost always includes, “and then I basically blacked out. I don’t remember anything!” While photos don’t have audio, they do spark memories. Looking back at photos from the moment you got engaged to your future life-partner is something you’ll always cherish. Proposals can’t be redone. The initial genuine emotion is priceless.
You can share the moment with your loved ones if you hire a proposal photographer
Just because getting engaged is a major moment in your life doesn’t necessarily mean you want to do it in front of your family and friends. Many couples want to celebrate this moment alone to really focus in on each other. Afterwards, of course, sharing the news with your loved ones is such an exciting part. They will love seeing pictures of the moment it happened just as much as you.
You’ll have professional photos to share right away
This one comes with a disclaimer: Proposal photos aren’t a substitute for engagement photos. In most cases, proposal sessions include the time it takes to capture the actual proposal, plus about 10 minutes of “formal” photos afterwards before your photographer heads off to allow you to enjoy the moment. That being said, having professional photos to use on your save the dates (or on social media) right away has an added benefit: it gives you the chance to delay your actual engagement session until your favorite season arrives. If you’re not worried about squeezing your engagement session in asap to send out save the dates, you’ll have added flexibility and reduced stress.
When You Shouldn’t Hire A Proposal Photographer
- If you want the proposal to be spontaneous
- If you think the logistics will stress you out too much
You want the proposal to be spontaneous
There are big benefits to waiting until the moment feels right to propose. If you have a photographer set up, you have to propose in a specific moment, so the spontaneity is taken out of the equation. If you’re not a big planner, or if you just want to pop the question when it feels good, hiring a photographer might not be the best choice for you.
You think the logistics will stress you out too much
There can be a lot of pressure involved with making sure your photographer knows exactly where to be at exactly what time. While most photographers will do everything they can to make it as easy as possible on you, it’s undeniable that there is already going to be a lot on your mind as you prepare to propose to your significant other, and for some people, one more element might just be too much. If that feels like you, it’s okay not to hire a photographer for your proposal!
Tips For Hiring A Proposal Photographer
If you’ve decided to hire a professional photographer, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind.
- Try to hire a photographer at least two weeks before you propose
- Look for a team of two photographers
- Choose a photographer who is familiar with live events
Try to hire a photographer at least two weeks before you propose
Hiring a photographer 2-4 weeks before you propose will give you time to plan together. There is a lot that goes into a proposal, and logistics can get complicated. If you work with your photographer from the start of the process, you’ll be able to relax knowing they’re familiar with all details. They’ll also likely help you make sure you’ve chosen a spot with a good background and lighting!
Look for a team of two photographers
Look for a team of two! Two photographers will look less suspicious to your fiancé-to-be since it’s easy for a couple to look like they’re on a date or taking pictures of each other. Plus, you’ll get two angles of your proposal and it’s a great security measure. If something were to happen to one photographer’s memory cards, or if a passerby ruined one photographer’s shot during a critical moment, the second photographer will still have it covered! (Reach out to us if you want to hear our other backup processes in detail. It’s one of our favorite topics!)
Choose a photographer who is familiar with live events
Live events, like weddings and proposals, are significantly different than staged portrait work in a controlled (or semi-controlled) environment. Experienced event photographers are able to adapt in complex scenarios and will know how to be prepared for a moment that can’t be redone.
How To Find A Proposal Photographer
Finding the right photographer can be tricky, but we’ve got some tips for that, too!
- Look for a photographer with a style you like. You should like the colors and the shooting style of their images.
- Get a feel for who the photographers are as humans – it’s best to work with people you like!
- If there is a photographer you’ve thought about having photograph your wedding, consider reaching out to them first. Working with the same photographer on multiple occasions is a great way to get to know each other, which will make for better photographs (more on that here).
- If your significant other has mentioned a photographer they admire, consider reaching out to them.
- Look through the people your significant other follows on Instagram to see if they follow any wedding photographers. If they follow one, they probably like their work!
What’s next?
All in all, there is a lot to think about when it comes to deciding whether or not to hire a photographer for your proposal. In the end, it comes down to personal preference. You don’t have to do it just because other people have done it! Choose to hire a professional photographer only if you think it’s right for your situation.
If you have any questions about hiring a professional photographer for your proposal, we’re always down to chat. There’s no pressure to book if you want to talk about the cost of hiring a photographer, the process of setting up the proposal, or simply getting to know us.
As we say….
Prioritize honest authenticity – whether you’re following a path or making your own.
