Alex proposes to Hannah over a romantic picnic at the Tree of Life

And it almost didn’t get captured at all.

I mentioned in my last post that last-minute surprise proposal bookings are really common. Usually it’s because the person didn’t realize proposal photography was even a thing until pretty late in the game. But every now and then it’s because their photographer fell through. While I hate hearing those stories because it a. means the proposer is stressed and b. it reflects poorly on professional photographers, I am ultimately happy that I can jump in and help make the moment extra special.

Plans Fell Through

Alex’s photography booking story is one I’ve heard entirely too many times. He used a website called Thumbtack to hire his photographer. Thumbtack is a directory that lists all sorts of professionals from carpenters to photographers. It’s an easy way to find a bunch of pros in one place. However, many of the pros that use thumbtack are on the low end of both the pricing and experience range. It’s a good place to list your services if you’re trying to build a portfolio, a client base, and get your name out there (I was on thumbtack briefly when I was still green!) But it charges the pros to be able to respond to leads. So well-established professionals aren’t likely to list their services there. While you might strike gold and get a really great photographer for a great deal, those low rates are often too good to be true. This is what happened for Alex-his photographer bailed the day before his proposal and he was left scrambling to find someone else! I was booked that morning but not in the evening and was happy to jump in and help.

Last minute fix

Alex snuck a call in his car while he was working so we could plan out the details. He had his sister and her brother helping out by setting up a picnic at the Tree of Life that he and Hannah would happen upon. I was super glad he had people lending a helping hand because I was too booked up to be able to go picnic shopping for him (yes, that IS a thing I can do for you!). He put me in touch with his sister and I met up with them early to help set everything up. Alex had picked out some super cute decor pieces for his picnic and even thought to bring rose petals and a bouquet for Hannah. The stage was set and I got the siblings to hide when Alex and Hannah were on their way.

The moment nearly spoiled… again

Just before Alex and Hannah were walking up to their picnic, a woman walked right into the frame! The couple was too close for me to ask her to move so I stood there in a slight panic hoping and praying that she moved enough by the time the couple arrived and she wouldn’t block the shot! She fortunately moved just enough to not block the picnic but unfortunately she was still too close for me to get the trunk of the tree in the shot. It’s okay though because we had an engagement session planned after and we took plenty of photos with that big, beautiful tree.

Alex and Hannah’s siblings came out of hiding to surprise the newly engaged couple then hung out while we took their engagement portraits. It was really sweet seeing how much their family loved and cared about Alex and Hannah and how happy they were for them to have gotten engaged. They’re all local and I hope I hear from them when it comes time for the wedding!

Here’s a selection of images from Alex and Hannah’s Surprise Proposal Picnic!

Looking to plan your own Surprise Proposal?