Surprise Proposals

Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Surprise Proposal Magical!

Surprise proposals are a beautiful and fun way to celebrate your love—and they should truly feel like a surprise! But creating that perfect moment takes careful planning. Questions like where, when, what time, how, what clothes, and what if are key, and I’m here to guide you through all of them.

1. Where to Propose

Choose a location that holds special meaning for you and your partner. If you don’t have a specific spot in mind, I can help! I have a Utah Photography Locations database with over 100 unique locations tailored to different seasons.

Consider details like:

Accessibility of the location.
Expected weather conditions.
Seasonal foliage.
Crowd levels at the time of your proposal.

Whether it’s a scenic mountain overlook or a secluded park, we’ll find the perfect backdrop for your magical moment.

2. When to Propose

Avoid holidays if possible, as popular locations tend to be crowded. Midweek proposals often provide the privacy and tranquility you’re looking for. Ultimately, the timing depends on both your schedule and mine—but we’ll make it work together!

3. What Time to Propose

Golden hour, which begins about 1.5 hours before sunset, is ideal for stunning photography. During this time, the soft, warm light creates a magical atmosphere. For example, I filmed the proposal below at Jordan Pines an hour before sunset. I used a drone to film discreetly from about 50 yards away, ensuring no distractions. Despite strong winds that day, I still managed to capture the moment beautifully with both drone and camera footage.

4. How to Set It Up

There are many ways to make your proposal unforgettable. Here are a few ideas:

The Pretense of a Photoshoot: Tell your partner you’ve arranged a professional photo session as a special gift. Then surprise them with the proposal during the shoot.
The Discreet Setup: Coordinate a time and place with me in advance. I can blend into the background as a “nature photographer” or stay hidden until the big moment. We’ll establish a cue—like you dropping to one knee—that signals me to start capturing.
The Adventure Plan: Suggest an activity like a hike or picnic. Once you reach the planned spot, I’ll be ready to document the surprise.

The key is detailed communication and planning.

5. What Clothes to wear

I don't know many women that want to be proposed to while they are wearing sweats, sandals, and a concert t-shirt, but what do I know? There are many IG posts on girls getting mad at their partners because they were getting filmed in not so appealing clothing. Make sure you and your partner are wearing at least nicer clothes for your surprise proposal!

6. What If…

Unexpected scenarios can arise, but with preparation, we’ll handle them seamlessly. Here are some examples:

What if someone else is in the spot you chose? We’ll plan alternate locations or angles.
What if you’re running late? A quick text update can keep us on track.
What if the weather changes? We’ll discuss backup plans in advance.

For instance, one client ran late to a remote location. We had agreed beforehand on a texting system for updates, ensuring I was ready when they arrived. Another time, a group of people wandered into the background of a proposal. I had prepped the client to shift to a new spot if necessary, allowing me to adjust discreetly and capture the moment perfectly.

Final Thoughts

Surprise proposals require flexibility and careful preparation, but the result is always worth it. Together, we’ll create a plan that ensures your proposal is everything you’ve dreamed of—and more. Let’s make your magical moment unforgettable!

What a James Erick Photography Proposal includes for $500

1. I will help you plan every part of the proposal day.

2. Photos and a video of the proposal.

3. A 1-hour photoshoot following the proposal.

4. And online gallery of the proposal pictures, engagement pictures, and video of the proposal.