You’re thinking about proposing..

And now you ended up here. Well, good thing because I’ve planned hundreds of proposals (and it’s one of my favorite moments to capture and help plan out details for). Your proposal should be shaped by all of your experiences together - it took a lot to get to this moment and you want to make it memorable.

Without further ado, here are some tips and questions to go through when planning out your proposal:

1. How and where do you want to propose? Down on one knee at a candlelit dinner? At sunset on the beach? By a waterfall, in the pool? Just at a nice viewpoint? Great news is - we can do any or all of these. Logistically we just will want to plan out details to make the experience fun and exciting.

2. What’s the plan for hiding the ring? It’s hard to hide a ring box - especially while traveling or going on a hike together. What I recommend is inside of a backpack or day bag inside of a pair of socks. There are other places but if all else fails this is a good option tried and true.

3. Do you want photos for the moment, after, an after engagement photo session, a combo of these? Most people go with an hour engagement session with the engagement happening as a surprise at the start with me following at a distance so that you can really be in the moment together. Then after the proposal, we go straight into your engagement photo session. This allows the actual moment to be captured as well as guided and playful imagery to celebrate the moment. You really get a good variety of final images this way. Some couples prefer to have the actual moment without cameras around and then have a session in the days following so that both of you can be photo ready and relive the moment together.

4. What are you two going to wear? Choose something you can confidently get on one knee in but also elevated from just a tee shirt and shorts is nice because it’s a big life moment. You could for instance tell your fiancee-to-be that you are going to dinner after sunset but want to see it at X location. This can allow you to suggest a certain dress or look so that your partner is looking their best when keeping it as a surprise engagement.

5. Send a picture or describe. I have the proposing one describe their outfits and/or send a photo of the two of you. Sometimes we share location via text as well so that I can discretely follow for the moment to be kept a secret. Sometimes we opt to instead do a family photoshoot with a proposal surprise mixed in or just plan it as a couples photo session if that is preferred for the engagement. Often in this case, I take a photo with you behind her and then have her turn around for a photo (when you are down on one knee and ready). Another way you could go about asking is having a display or setup with flowers. This is more obvious but shows effort and is a nice touch. Happy to get you in touch with vendors that offer these setup services.

6. Have fun! Your engagement should feel like a celebration and a fun date all wrapped together. You two are taking the next big step together so let’s make it fun through prompts and actions to get those ‘that’s us’ photos. When you’re ready to propose, I’m happy to help as your Oahu photographer! Reach out and let’s connect.