Photographing Your Engagement Proposal

When a professional photographer was distraught over the lack of photographic memories of his own engagement moment, he turned the idea into a business. Although capturing the moment of your engagement requires advance planning and a willing photographer, pictures like these will last a lifetime.


Professional photographers in most major cities will charge between $100 to $300 per hour for shooting time with additional charges for post-shoot processing and image development. Full professional photography of a well-timed engagement proposal under ideal conditions (open space, natural lighting, lack of crowds) should cost less than $500 for all but the most expensive cities. Difficult situations--such as a beach proposal, crowded restaurant, after sunset--will double costs.

For a cheaper alternative, consider enlisting a trustworthy friend as your personal photographer for the day. With a decent camera and a few hours spent studying engagement photography, most amateur photographers will be able to capture at least one good shot of the engagement moment. Remember to use a signal to ensure your photographer does not miss the moment of a lifetime.

When you choose a location for your engagement proposal, consider both the event itself and how the proposal will appear in photographs. Dark or dimly lit settings provide romantic ambiance, but create poor pictures without fill flash and artificial lighting (which you do not want to use for your engagement proposal moment). Regardless of your choice, your photos of your engagement proposal will be treasured memories your fiancee will share for the rest of your marriage.