How to plan and execute a surprise proposal photo shoot in Banff or Canmore: A stress-free guide for those ready to pop the question.
Planning a surprise proposal shoot can be both exciting and overwhelming. From keeping the proposal a secret to choosing the perfect scenic location, there's a lot to consider. To help you navigate the process, here are the key steps for planning the perfect surprise proposal shoot in Banff, Canmore, Kananaskis, or anywhere else in the Canadian Rockies.
1. Choose your dream location: Banff, Canmore, and Kananaskis offer breathtaking backdrops – deciding where you want to propose is the first step.
2. Select a skilled photographer who knows the area. To capture the magic of your moment you'll want someone familiar with the Canadian Rockies.
3. Plan the timing and season: Understanding the best time of year and time of day for your shoot ensures the best chances for amazing light, and an overall wonderful experience.
4. Carefully plan every detail with your photographer, making sure you both know exactly where and when to meet, what the photographer looks like, and details like where to stand. If you can't meet at the location in advance, make sure to have looked at google earth, google maps, and photos, to know exactly where to be.
5. Formulate a strategy: The photographer might be pretending to take pictures of the scenery – this allows the photographer to have the camera out and the settings dialled for the big moment. Another strategy is the photographer brings a helper and is taking their picture when you arrive. You could then say hi to the photographer and say "would you mind taking our picture with my phone." The photographer could then say "let me take one with my real camera first and I'll send it to you." This is a great strategy because it allows the photographer to put you in the perfect light.
6. Keep the secret: Keep everything under wraps until the big moment!
I can help you with all of the above steps! Like I helped Zach so he could grandly propose to Colleen in this stunning Canadian Rockies location.
We made a photo here with them looking at the camera and then I said "this scene is so amazing, how about a photo with a kiss!
Zach had already done a ton of research when he first reached out to me for this epic Banff proposal photo shoot. From his house in Chicago he had spent days scouring google and google earth, looking for the perfect spot. His ideas were to do it in Golden BC, and I suggested we do it on top of the Kicking Horse Gondola for incredible mountain vistas. He also mentioned Bow Lake, as they were staying in the lodge on the lake. With beautiful glacial water and rugged mountains this was our spot.
I arrived at the lake with my girlfriend an hour before our secret meetup time. She wanted to join in on the romantic surprise, and help with the entire game-plan. I photographed her in the exact spot I wanted the soon-to-be engaged couple to be in. When Zach and Colleen appeared, we said hello, and then Zach asked I could get a picture of them on his phone. I said "sure, and let me take one with my camera first. Stand over there with the beautiful backdrop."
From this point things happened rapidly. Zach said something sweet to her and then got down on one knee to propose.
Wow, it's happening!
She said yes!
Shocked and surprised!
Overjoyed
So Happy!
From after the first shot up until this point I was just a fly on the wall, standing quite a ways back with a long lens. Here I said congratulations! And we went to shoot some different angles and locations.
We couldn't go wrong from any angle with a beautiful diffused sunlight
They're so thrilled
How could I not get a close-up of this
The beauty of natural window light
After the session was complete, I wanted to go to Peyto Lake – one of my favourite places on earth. I asked if they wanted to join. We met there and I showed them an amazing lookout and got a few bonus photos for them.
What an incredible lake!
Jumping for joy!
Zach's stump art!
One last cute shot
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake
Alas, we said farewell and thank you and went our separate ways...only to bump into each other an hour later at another gorgeous lake. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful proposal shoot in the Canadian Rockies.
