A Live Surprise Proposal at Carmel Meadows Trail with Rip & Taylor
Capturing the real moment Rip proposed along the Carmel coast, followed by engagement portraits after Taylor said yes
Rip reached out to me about photographing a surprise proposal to his girlfriend Taylor along the Carmel coast. We carefully chose the Carmel Meadows Trail area so I could stay close enough to photograph the proposal as it happened without being so obvious that I spoiled the surprise.
After the proposal, we turned the rest of the session into engagement portraits along the rocky coastline, including photos of Rip and Taylor together and details of Taylor's new engagement ring.
Planning Surprise Proposal Photography in Carmel
Rip reached out to me about making surprise engagement photos. We discussed what location to use with him suggesting a few places, and then after thinking about each carefully and considering things like cpermission to shoot there, and access for me to be close, but not so obvious and spoil the surprise we chose the Carmel Meadows Trail area.
Then we came up with a signal for him to give to let me know he was about to propose. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans! I did not see him give the signal as I was still far away and making my way down, but I did suddenly notice him get on one knee and luckily I already had both cameras ready to go, including the one with the telephoto lens so I was able to get some shots of the live proposal!
You never know with a live photo shoot and as a photographer I just have to be ready basically the moment I set foot out of my car. I am glad it all worked out. Thank you very much to Rip for choosing me as your surprise engagement photographer and congratulations Taylor and Rip!
Surprise Proposal Photography That Keeps the Moment a Surprise
Planning a surprise proposal means thinking through much more than where the photos will look good. We can talk through the location, timing, where I can position myself without being noticed, and how you can let me know when the proposal is about to happen.
The goal is for Taylor's experience here to be exactly what a surprise proposal should feel like: completely real and completely unexpected, while I am ready nearby to photograph the moment as it happens.
Afterward, we can turn the rest of the session into engagement portraits so you have photographs of both the proposal itself and the celebration that follows.
Celebrating After Taylor Said Yes
Engagement portraits along the Carmel coastline after the surprise proposal
Once the surprise was over, we could relax a little and make a completely different kind of photograph. Instead of photographing discreetly from a distance, I could work directly with Rip and Taylor and use the rocks, ocean, and late afternoon light for their engagement portraits.
Rip had already accomplished the difficult part of the plan, Taylor had said yes, and now they could simply enjoy the moment together.
I sent Rip a quick preview afterward, and his response was, “That looks incredible. Can’t wait to see the rest.” After reviewing their proofing gallery and choosing their finished photographs, he followed up again to say, “We think they’re great. Thanks again for the help!”
See Another Surprise Proposal
Photographing the Engagement Ring
The smaller details that become part of the story of the day
Along with portraits of the couple, I always like to make a few photographs of the details that are unique to the engagement itself.
Taylor's ring was obviously an important part of this day, so we made both a closer detail photograph and a wider image that included Rip's hand and the Carmel coastline in the background. Those smaller photographs help complete the story alongside the larger portraits and the actual proposal images.
Planning Your Own Surprise Proposal in Carmel?
A surprise proposal photography session takes a little more planning than a typical portrait shoot, because I need to know where you plan to propose, approximately when the moment will happen, where I can position myself without being noticed, and how we will find each other afterward.
We can work through those details together ahead of time while still leaving room for the proposal itself to happen naturally.
After the surprise, we can continue with engagement portraits so you come away with photographs of the actual proposal as well as the two of you celebrating afterward.
I photograph surprise proposals and engagement sessions throughout Carmel, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Big Sur, and the surrounding Monterey Peninsula.
Surprise proposal and engagement photography in Carmel, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Big Sur, and throughout the Monterey Peninsula by Jason Collin Photography.