New Orleans Surprise Proposal Photography

Gage proposes to his High School sweetheart over a picnic in City Park

It’s not every day I photograph a surprise proposal for bonafide High School sweethearts. Gage and Sofia’s first date was to his senior prom right here in New Orleans. They went to different, small high schools and mutual friends connected them knowing they would be a great match. Not long after, Gage took Sofia on a romantic picnic in New Orleans City Park under the windchime tree. Seven years later, he wanted to recreate that moment and turn it into an even more romantic gesture: by popping the question.

Gage was exactly like many of the people who contact me about New Orleans surprise proposal planning: nervous. And he deals with his nerves the same way I do: overplanning. So my task on this particular proposal was to help keep Gage from overthinking everything and simplify things for him. I met up with him a few days before the proposal for a picnic supply handoff and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sheer amount of stuff he handed over! It was proposal nerves in the physical form of way too many charcuterie boards. His mother-in-law-to-be was also in on it and threw every piece of possible picnic paraphernalia at him. It was really adorable and I was very glad that I’d taken on the task of setting it up for him. That way he didn’t end up overwhelmed with way too much stuff and did end up with a perfect picnic.

I checked all of the supplies- including the two champagne flutes- before leaving my house to head to the park. But wouldn’t you know it, one of the flutes broke on the way there! Fortunately, I’d hired an extra set of hands to babysit the picnic while we went on an engagement shoot and I know enough bougie people that it only took a few calls to find a friend with a spare pair of champagne flutes. My assistant picked them up on his way to the park, I used my ancient-history restaurant glasswire polishing skills, and we had a picture-perfect picnic all ready to go before Gage and Sofia arrived.

I did have to run a LOT of interference keeping people from crowding in behind the picnic so the couple could not only have a semi-private moment but so we could get that perfect shot of the proposal (I am a New Orleans surprise proposal photographer first and foremost, after all!). But people never really mind moving when you let them know what’s about to go down. They usually cheer after the “yes” too which is pretty cute and adds to the excitement of the moment. The other park-goers didn’t disappoint after Gage put the ring on Sofia’s finger! I’m pretty sure some dogs barked in celebration, too. Gage popped a bottle of champagne, they enjoyed a toast, and then we headed into the park for an engagement session.

This couple was sweet and goofy. I had a lovely time wandering through the park with them and learning more about their 7 years together. Just as I had expected, all of Gage’s nerves melted as soon as he had Sofia by his side. I’m rooting for these two; I see a long, happy life ahead for them!

Enjoy this selection of Gage and Sofia’s Surprise Proposal and Engagement Photography.