Capturing the Unpredictable: Always Having A Plan B for Surprise Proposals

As a photographer who has been witness to countless heartfelt moments and tearful declarations of love, I have come to appreciate the beauty and excitement of surprise proposals. The thrill of capturing that one split-second when two souls embark on a lifelong journey is simply unparalleled. However, behind every successful surprise proposal, there lies a well-thought-out plan, meticulously crafted to ensure that nothing goes awry. From my lens, I have learned that having a Plan B is not only crucial but can also transform what could have been a potential disaster into a memorable and magical experience for everyone involved. Join me as I shed light on the invaluable importance of having a backup plan when it comes to surprise proposals, from the unique perspective of a photographer behind the scenes.

Will contacted me because he was planning to propose to his girlfriend, KC, during their trip to Maine this past March. We emailed back and forth quite a bit, set up a time to call, and the plan was set in motion! Fortunately, I've captured SO MANY surprise proposals at Portland Head Light, so I knew the best spots to do the proposal at! This also meant that I knew parts of the park that would be closed off during this time of year due to the weather conditions - when it's super snowy and/or windy, several vantage points have restricted access for safety reasons to avoid anyone accidentally slipping and falling into the cold, cold, cold ocean! This left us with one of my favorite spots where both the ocean and the lighthouse will be in the background during the proposal.

Unpredictability of the Moment:

Proposals are deeply personal and emotional events, and no matter how well you plan, unexpected circumstances can arise. Inclement weather, last-minute location changes, or unforeseen interruptions can turn a well-thought-out proposal into a logistical nightmare. Having a backup plan ensures that the photographer is prepared to capture the precious moment, no matter the circumstances.

Technical Challenges:

From a photographer's standpoint, surprise proposals often require quick thinking and adaptability. Lighting conditions may change, the ideal shooting angle may be compromised, or technical issues with equipment could arise. Having a plan B allows the photographer to handle these challenges seamlessly, ensuring that the proposal is documented flawlessly.

Leading up to the weekend of the proposal, I kept an eye on the weather, as I knew we could get a snowstorm that could change our plans. Having a Plan B is necessary when planning your surprise proposal, especially when the weather could totally derail your plans! I contacted Will about the pending snowstorm, and agreed that the following day would work if we were snowed out on his original planned date. As suspected, Maine got a massive snowstorm, meaning that the roads were unsafe to drive on and Portland Head Light was completely inaccessible. Not only that, but it snowed heavily all day and night, meaning that the visibility for photographs wasn't ideal - there would have been a lot of snow in their faces and I wouldn't have been able to get clear shots!

Capturing Genuine Reactions:

One of the most beautiful aspects of surprise proposals is the genuine and raw reactions from both the proposer and the partner. However, if something unexpected occurs and the proposal doesn't go according to plan, those initial reactions may be lost. A well-prepared backup plan ensures that the photographer can still capture those precious and heartfelt moments, preserving them for a lifetime.

Flexibility and Adaptability:

Flexibility is key when it comes to surprise proposals. By having a plan B, the photographer can quickly adapt to any changes or hiccups that may arise during the proposal. Whether it's shifting to a different location, adjusting the shooting angle, or modifying the lighting setup, the backup plan allows the photographer to maintain composure and ensure the best possible outcome.

We had hoped that the snow would let up by the evening, but when it hadn't, we went ahead and moved the shoot to the following day. I was slightly worried about the paths being clear enough to walk to the proposal spot, so I made sure to get to Portland Head Light extra early to make sure we could get to the proposal spot and if not, had a Plan C in mind - we could do the proposal directly in front of the lighthouse. Everything came together nicely and the proposal went off without a hitch! I'm super glad we had talked about backup plans, otherwise I would have been stressed and I think Will would have been, too. I've learned that having a backup plan further proves your professionalism - you want to work with someone who plans ahead! This also helped ease Will's stress, too, as he was already worried about proposing and the last thing he needed was to worry about the weather and a backup plan!

As photographers, we need to always be thinking ahead just in case something comes up and we need to come up with a new plan due to weather or other circumstances out of our control! This will help you gain trust from your clients, and the more they trust you, the more they'll feel comfortable working with you!

I hired Janelle to take photographs of my proposal and for the engagement photos afterwards, and Janelle was absolutely amazing through the entire process. Not only were the pictures stunning, but she helped me pick a location to propose and walked me through the steps to get to the specific location since I was unfamiliar with the area. On top of this, the original plans for the proposal were postponed due to a snowstorm, and Janelle not only communicated with me throughout the process, but also quickly figured out a back-up plan that would work for the next day. Janelle truly went above and beyond, and I cannot recommend her enough. I would legitimately give her six stars if I could, she was beyond professional and excellent in every way.

Surprise proposals are beautiful and heartwarming events that deserve to be documented in the most perfect way. As a photographer, having a backup plan is crucial for ensuring that every unexpected situation is handled with grace and professionalism. It enables us to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and capture the essence of the proposal, no matter the challenges. By investing time and effort into developing a plan B, both the proposer and the photographer can ensure that the magic of the moment is beautifully preserved forever.

Get in touch to plan your surprise proposal!

Follow me for more BTS and gorgeous gallery sneak peeks over on Instagram.