Is a marriage proposal photo shoot worth it?

Why it is worth it

Yes, it is worth it. A proposal is something you never forget, but it is easier to remember with photos. It goes by very quickly. A few seconds of nerves, the question, the answer. Afterwards, hardly anyone remembers the look on the other person's face, what they did with their hands, or who started laughing first. And that is exactly what makes a proposal unrepeatable: the reaction on hearing the question, the laughter, the tears or the silence before the hug. A mobile phone propped up on a rock does not capture it in the same way. A person who knows where to stand and when to shoot does. What's more, the ring matters, but it is not the only thing that deserves a photo. What happens just afterwards counts too: the first walk as an engaged couple, the call to the family, the hands that are still trembling. That is what Evan & Natalia Simon look for when they do photography and video in Asturias.

If your partner is private

That said, there are cases where the answer is not so simple. The first is a very private partner. Some people feel uncomfortable being watched, even from a distance. If your partner is like that, a camera hidden among the trees can turn an intimate moment into something that feels public to them. Here the format changes, not the idea. Instead of hiding the photographer, you can do a fake couple's session: you suggest a casual photo shoot, nothing more, and the question comes in the middle of the session. Another option is to keep the proposal camera-free and do a short session straight afterwards, when the secret is out and the emotion is still there.

A surprise that is hard to keep

The second case is a surprise that is hard to keep. If your partner notices someone with a camera too soon, the surprise is at risk. If that happens, try to play it down. But if you know your partner notices everything, it may be worth planning the fake session from the start.

The place and the time

The third is the place and the time. A proposal at home, at night and in low light is not photographed the same way as one on San Lorenzo beach, in Gijón, in the middle of the afternoon. What makes the difference is preparation. Ideally, visit the spot with the photographer before the proposal, at the same time of day it will take place. And don't change the time afterwards, because the sun will be in a different position and the light will no longer be what you saw. A good photographer will give you advice on the light, the setting and where to stand.

If the idea is only yours

The last case is when the photos are more your idea than both of yours. Before deciding, think calmly about your partner. If they would love to have that memory, go ahead. If not, the session afterwards may be the best solution.

How to start planning it

You now have the basics. First, think about your partner and how they would feel with a camera nearby. Then choose a place that means something to you both. It could be a corner of Gijón, a viewpoint in Asturias or the bench where you met. Next, decide whether you want it secret, with a fake session or with a few photos straight afterwards. And think, too, about what clothes you will both feel comfortable in. Once you have it more or less clear, write to Evan & Natalia Simon and tell them your idea. They work with couples and brands, and they choose each photography and video project carefully. Talking it through beforehand helps you see what fits best.