Sydney & the Blue Mountains
Surprise proposal photography
for the 30 seconds you cannot redo
You plan the words. She hides in the bushes.
Surprise proposals across Sydney, North & South Coasts and the Blue Mountains, capturing the moment as it unfolds naturally and without you ever having to worry about the moment not being captured.
I'll be in position and out of sight before you arrive, ready to capture the nerves, the surprise, the tears and that yes! moment. Once the secret is out, I'll step in and guide you through a relaxed engagement session while you're still caught up in the excitement of it all.
My sessions start at $795. You'll receive a sneak peek within a few hours to share with your favourite people, with your full gallery arriving just 2-3 days later, so you don't have to wait long to relive it all.
Diploma of Photo Imaging
Graduated 2015
10+ years behind the lens
450+ sessions shot
$5M public liability
Covered for every session
4.9 from 44 reviews
On her Google profile
The one you cannot re-shoot
You've probably been planning this moment for months
Choosing the ring, thinking about where to do it, imagining how it will all unfold.
And then, in reality, it's over in about 30 seconds.
The nerves, the excitement and the adrenaline take over, and afterwards, you might not remember all the little details. The exact words you said. Which knee you got down on. What the light looked like. What was happening around you.
But there's one thing you'll never forget - the look on their face when they realise what's happening.
And that's the one moment you can't see when you're the one asking.
That's why having your proposal photographed is about so much more than getting a few nice photos. It's about capturing the moment exactly as it happened, so you can come back to it years from now and remember the excitement, the surprise, the emotion and, most importantly, the way they looked at you.
There are no second takes when it comes to a proposal. No going back and doing it again.
So let someone else worry about capturing it. You just need to be present, ask the question and enjoy the beginning of your next chapter together.
The plan
How a surprise proposal shoot works
- 01
We make a plan, privately
You'll tell me all about your plans - where you're thinking, when you're thinking, and how you imagine it happening. We'll keep everything discreet, whether that's over email or a quiet phone call, so there's no chance of your plans being discovered.
- 02
We choose the right spot
We'll work out the perfect place for your proposal, taking into account the light, how busy the location is and where I can hide without being spotted.
- 03
I'll be there before you
I'll arrive early, find my hiding spot and be ready before you get there. You simply arrive as planned, enjoy the moment and do your thing. No awkward posing, no worrying about where I am - just you and the person you love.
- 04
I'll capture the moment
The nerves. The question. The surprise. The tears. The ring. The yes! I'll quietly photograph it all as it happens, without interrupting the moment or asking you to look at the camera. You won't even know I'm there.
- 05
What happens next
Once the secret is out and you've had a moment to take it all in, I'll step out of hiding and introduce myself. Then we'll spend a little time together capturing the two of you, your excitement and all those just-engaged feelings while they're still fresh.
“She absolutely outdid herself for our proposal shoot. From hiding in the bushes so I wouldn't spot her, to capturing the exact moment my partner popped the question, I had a complete “OMG!” moment when I saw her there afterward. After the proposal, she gave us the perfect balance of posing suggestions while still letting us be natural, laugh, and soak in the moment. The photos turned out beyond anything we imagined. Candid, genuine, and full of emotion.”
The gallery
Real proposals, real reactions
Local to you
Proposal photography across the Hills District
I'm based in Sydney's Hills District, where I'm lucky enough to have beautiful fields, parks and bushland, quiet trails and hidden little spots all close by.
If you're dreaming of the coast, a beautiful harbour view or somewhere in the Blue Mountains, I'm always happy to travel for a location that feels right for you.
We'll choose your location together, finding somewhere that feels like you, looks beautiful in the light and gives your photos the relaxed, natural feel I'm known for.
Travel within 30 minutes of the Hills District is included in your session fee, and I'm more than happy to travel further when the right location calls for it for a $100 travel fee.
- Norwest
- Bella Vista
- Castle Hill
- Kellyville
- Kellyville Ridge
- Beaumont Hills
- Kenthurst
- Annangrove
- Dural
- Middle Dural
- Glenhaven
- Galston
- Arcadia
- Box Hill
- Grantham Farm
- The Ponds
- Pitt Town
- Cherrybrook
- Pennant Hills
- Wahroonga
- Hornsby
“She absolutely outdid herself for our proposal shoot. From hiding in the bushes so I wouldn't spot her, to capturing the exact moment my partner popped the question, I had a complete “OMG!” moment when I saw her there afterward. After the proposal, she gave us the perfect balance of posing suggestions while still letting us be natural, laugh, and soak in the moment. The photos turned out beyond anything we imagined. Candid, genuine, and full of emotion.”
Investment
Proposal session packages
The same signature packages as every other session. Most couples take an hour so there is room for the proposal itself and a full engagement session straight afterwards.
Storyteller One
$795
A dreamy sunset session for that special moment in your life. Perfect for those looking for a bite-sized shoot.
- 1 hour photo session
- 20 hi-res digital images
- Edited gallery of 100 photos
- $0 print credit
Storyteller Two
$1,095
The generous option that allows you to shine from different angles. Perfect for those who prefer their shoot with variety and depth.
- 1.5 hour photo session
- 30 hi-res digital images
- Edited gallery of 100 photos
- $195 print credit
Storyteller Three
$1,395
The ultimate way to preserve life's defining moments for the future. Perfect for those who want to preserve all the candid moments.
- 2 hour photo session
- 40 hi-res digital images
- Edited gallery of 100 photos
- $395 print credit
FAQs
Proposal photography questions
How does a surprise proposal shoot actually work?
We plan it privately beforehand: the location, the exact spot you'll stand, the time, and a signal so I know it's about to happen. On the day I'm already in position and out of sight before you arrive. You propose, I photograph it, and afterwards I'll step out and introduce myself. Once the shock wears off we'll spend a little time together while you're both still glowing.
Will my partner spot you?
That's the whole craft of it, and no. For the proposal in the gallery above I was hidden in the bushes, and my client only realised I was there afterwards, which turned into a second surprise on top of the first. A long lens and a well-planned position do the work.
When is the best time of day to propose?
Sunset. It's the most flattering light of the day and gives you that warm golden glow through to soft pinks and deep blues at twilight. I'll tell you the exact sunset time for your date and we'll work the plan backwards from there, so you're not proposing into harsh midday light or losing it altogether.
Where do you shoot proposals in Sydney?
Clifftop lookouts in the Blue Mountains, the harbour foreshore, coastal headlands and quiet bushland, and anywhere that already means something to the two of you. We'll choose it together at your pre-session consult, thinking about privacy, how busy the spot gets and where the light will be.
What if it rains, or the plan changes on the day?
I shoot in most weather, and rain has more than once turned out to be a blessing in disguise. If conditions genuinely won't work, we'll reschedule without any drama. Just give me as much notice as you can and I'll do the same for you.
How much does proposal photography cost?
Proposal sessions run on the same Storyteller packages as everything else, starting at $795 for a 1-hour session with 20 high-resolution digital images and a beautifully edited gallery of around 100 images to choose from. Most couples take the hour so there's room for the proposal itself and a proper engagement session straight afterwards.
How soon will we see the photos?
You'll get a sneak peek within a few hours, which is usually exactly when you want something to send to family. Your full edited gallery arrives 2-3 days later, and any prints or keepsakes follow 2-5 weeks after your session.
Can we turn it into an engagement shoot afterwards?
Yes, and it's how these almost always go. The minutes straight after a yes are the most natural you'll ever be in front of a camera, so I build that time into the session rather than charging for it separately.
In confidence
Start planning the surprise
Tell me the date you have in mind and roughly where. I'll reply with the sunset time, the locations that work, and where I can hide.
If you share an inbox or a calendar with the person you are about to propose to, say so in your message and leave the best way to reach you instead. Better to sort that out now than have a reply land on the wrong screen.
Rather talk than type? Call 0452 474 686.
Choose your session
Browse more galleries
After the yes, the story keeps going.
Let's make some magic
She only gets one shot at this. So do you.
Get in touch to see how we can preserve your memories for a lifetime (and beyond). One shot at a time.