Tampa Wedding Photographer

A wedding proposal is a once-in-a-lifetime moment filled with so much love and hope for the future. You’ll probably never forget yours; I know I’ll never mine’s.

I’m grateful I hired a professional photographer to capture the moment—the moment I asked, my wife’s surprise, and the raw emotions we both felt. The best part of having that moment documented is that I can now share it with our daughter, our loved ones, and you.

Once you’ve made the decision to hire a photographer to capture your surprise engagement paparazzi style, here are three tips to make it perfect:

1. Choose a sentimental location, date, or both.

All proposals are special. I particularly love those that incorporate something extra special about the couple—one that takes place where the couple met, where they first kissed, or on a date that holds special significance.

I asked Mercy to be my wife in San Francisco. The city steals hearts with its picturesque views, the colorful Victorian homes lined up on steep hills, and the beautiful bay.

Are you interested in having me plan and capture your surprise proposal? Reach out here and let’s get started.

The most special part of the engagement for me wasn’t the location though; it was the date.

My wife and I met our senior year of high school, and on March 14, 2009, I told her that even if we would no longer be together in five years, I’d call her to catch up.

I don’t really know why I said that except that we had applied for college, not knowing where we’d end up. I knew I wanted her to remain a part of my life forever.

Five years later on March 14 I called her while I was standing right in front of her on Pier Seven, and I asked her to be my wife.

2. Make a plan and make sure that you and your photographer are on the same page about every detail.

Once you come up with a location, have a plan for the time and exact place where it will happen and talk to your photographer about the following:

• What you look like

• What your photographer looks like

• What you’ll be wearing

• The exact place where you’ll ask—Do a walkthrough with your photographer beforehand. It doesn’t have to be in person — you can FaceTime, send video messages, or drop a pin on Google Maps and share it with your photographer.

• The cue for your photographer to know that you’re about to drop down on one knee—my cue was picking up my cell phone. I tell my couples to embrace for a long hug so I know it’s about to happen.

3. Prep your significant other for the moment without ruining the surprise.

The night before I proposed, I told her that I had made lunch reservations for the following day at a nice restaurant in San Francisco. I asked her what she planned to wear so that my outfit would complement hers.  She naturally then got her nails and hair done, and she picked out a colorful scarf.

Photos by: Red Eye Collection