THE JOURNAL

I'm Siobhan, a lifestyle and event photographer based in New York! Explore the range of my work on the blog and perhaps find inspiration for your own shoot or event.

Proposal Tips for the Guys: How to Nail the Moment (and the Photos!)

If you’re planning a proposal—first of all, congratulations! Whether you’ve already booked a photographer or are still figuring things out, I’m sharing a few tips from behind the lens to help everything run smoothly (and look beautiful in photos). These small details make a big difference when it comes to capturing a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Make communication easy
Once you’re in the moment, texting your photographer isn’t always realistic—so it helps to plan ahead. When Matt proposed to Ashley at Robert Moses, we texted and coordinated throughout the planning process, and he shared his live location with me the day of so I could track his arrival in real time. I also made sure he knew exactly where to find me without giving anything away. If you want to be extra discreet, try saving your photographer’s name in your phone as a friend’s (just make sure you can differentiate between the two contacts).

Choose a meaningful spot
A location with personal meaning always makes for the most heartfelt proposals. Maybe it’s where you had your first date, a beach you both love, or the trail where you walk your dog every weekend. If you don’t have a signature spot, that’s totally fine too—I have a curated location guide full of ideas and I’m happy to help you pick one that feels true to your story and photographs beautifully.

Think about the light
If there’s one thing to keep in mind for the photos: position her with the sun at her back, if you can. That soft, glowy light is especially magical around golden hour. Quick check—if you look in front of you and see your own shadow, you’re good to go.

If you’re planning a proposal and want it to be thoughtfully captured from start to finish, I’d love to help. Reach out here to chat about bringing your vision to life.