Planning a surprise proposal is exciting, emotional, and usually a little nerve-wracking too. This guide explains how surprise proposal photography works, from keeping the moment a secret to choosing the right location and capturing the reaction as it naturally happens. Whether you’re planning a proposal in Somerset, Bristol, Devon, the countryside, by the coast, or somewhere meaningful to you both, having a photographer there means the nerves, laughter, tears, ring moment, and first few portraits as an engaged couple are properly documented. It also gives you the chance to turn the proposal into a relaxed engagement photoshoot, with natural, fun photos you can use for announcements, save the dates, wedding websites, or simply to remember the start of this new chapter.

On the 7th July, I met up with Bethan & Tom who had arranged an Engagement Photography session close to their family home on the Mendips, Somerset. I had met the couple at a recent wedding fair and they’d chosen to do an engagement photoshoot after we talked about how they don’t often get photos together. However, they wanted to practise before their wedding day and get any nerves of being in front of camera out of the way.