Josh and Allie: New Orleans Surprise Proposal Photography
New Orleans Surprise Proposal Photography
Josh sets up an elaborate ruse to surprise Allie in City Park.
Ok, y’all. This is a good one. I started working with Josh several months before his planned trip to New Orleans. He and his girlfriend, Allie, would be visiting with their young son and best couple friends, Wyatt and Jenna. And Jenna was the key to a successful surprise proposal.
Jenna told Allie that she had hired a photographer for couples’ photography for both couples while on their vacation. If Josh told Allie that he had set it up, she would wonder why he hadn’t hired a family photographer and brought their toddler along as well and might get suspicious. To strengthen the ruse, Wyatt told Allie that he intended to propose to Allie during the photography session! So while Allie was coaching Jenna on what to wear and suggesting they get their nails done, Jenna was pretending to be none the wiser. Absolutely brilliant!
I met the four of them at Cafe du Monde and said hello to Jenna first, pretending to not even know Josh and Allie’s names since I wouldn’t have been in contact with either of them according to the story Allie heard. When I shook Josh’s hand, we exchanged a knowing glance and it took everything in me to not wink at him! We headed to Langles bridge and I asked the couples who wanted to go first. Jenna said she needed a few moments to freshen up her makeup and Josh and Allie should go first. Well played, Jenna. Well played.
I posed them on top of the bridge, asking Allie to face away from Josh. I pretended to give him directions saying “hmmm, no, that’s not quite right take a small step to your left. Hmm… maybe to your right a little”. I kept expecting Allie to turn around but she didn’t! While I was pretending to give directions, Josh looked at me and I nodded. He pulled out the ring, got down on one knee, and when he was in position I said “you know what? This isn’t working for me. Allie turn around”. And when she did, there was Josh waiting for her with the ring.
Was she surprised? YEP!
After Josh put the ring on her finger and they embraced in a long, celebratory hug. She points to Jenna standing next to me and through tears says “it was supposed to be YOU!”. It was only then that I learned that Allie had thought Jenna was getting proposed to! One part wasn’t made up- we were absolutely about to have a New Orleans couples portrait session!
It was a sticky, late-June evening for a portrait session but we had a hell of a good time. I don’t know what had gotten into me that day but I was on FIRE. Random things just kept rolling out of my mouth and cracking everybody up. I love it when I can be my weird self and keep people laughing- natural smiles are the best. Jenna and Wyatt kept goofing off behind the scenes, too. It was one of those gigs I never wanted to end (well, except for the mosquitos. Those damn things really know how to ruin a good time!).
By the end of this week, I will have hit 30 proposals in the last year! I am truly honored that so many people have trusted me to help them plan and photograph their big moment. After years of photographing weddings, I am overjoyed to have found my way into this wonderful niche. Are you ready to book your own Surprise Proposal Photography from New Orleans only Surprise Proposal Expert?
Enjoy this selection of images from Josh and Allie’s Surprise Proposal Photography in New Orleans’ City Park.
