Surprise Engagement Secret Proposal on Gooseberry Island Beach

A few times a year I get the pleasure of photographing a surprise engagement. I LOVE these sessions! Typically I coordinate extensively with the proposer beforehand about the location, the timing and light, who will be in attendance, and how the big moment should play out. I come up with a way to hide or blend into the scenery so as not to give away the surprise. I’m usually just as filled with nervous excitement as the person making the proposal!

For this surprise proposal, Erin chose Gooseberry island beach in Westport, MA, where she and her girlfriend had enjoyed many happy walks in the past, and coordinated with her boss to “unexpectedly” get the day off of work. It was February so we had to keep a close eye on the weather. It was a chilly day but the sun was bright, and I squatted down to hide behind some tall grass and wait for the big moment. As they approached, I used a telephoto lens to capture some details of their chatting and the scenery. I texted Erin just ten minutes before they were due to arrive with a cell phone picture of the exact spot where she should propose so that I would be sure to be in the best position to capture it. When they arrived at the perfect spot, Erin got down on one knee, and popped the question! I moved in a bit closer and captured the moment as it unfolded (forcing myself stay quiet and not call out and cheer). It was a complete surprise!

Following the official proposal, we made a few portraits.

So… let’s talk about your proposal plan!