Secret proposal
Tips for secret proposals in London by a top wedding photographer.
This bridge is one of London’s most iconic buildings, and a popular spot for American secret proposals. The best position is Queens Walk on the south west side of Tower Bridge (often called London Bridge mistakenly).
London proposal photographer
If you are planning a secret proposal, then these are my tops tips for getting the most fantastic photos of this wonderful romantic event. I’m a London proposal photographer and the photos on this page are of Mitch and Joy, a shoot I did in summer 2020 in Canary Wharf.
The couple arrives and I shoot with a long lens to keep my distance.
Proposal Photographer
Keeping the proposal a secret
Don't worry about the photographer being seen. Lots of people have cameras in London without being conspicuous. When you stop her start speaking in the build up to the proposal, she is going to be totally transfixed by what you’re saying. She won’t notice a photographer moving closer and snapping away.
He speaks to her as he builds up to the proposal.
Engagement Photoshoot Ideas
What can be very useful for the photographer is if you have a friend to act as go-between. This person can brief the photographer, and inform me exactly when you are arriving. If we haven’t met in person could be potentially embarrassing if I started photographing the wrong couple or didn’t see you arriving behind me. Having a friend involved is very helpful.
He goes down on one knee and offers her his ring.
Getting the reaction shot
The most important photograph is the reaction shot, her face when you go down on one knee and present the ring. You want to capture the joy, tears, shock, and happiness of this moment so it’s essential to choose a location where the photographer is able to move around to get the best angle.
Engagement Photoshoot Locations
An open space helps a lot.
The photographer will need to quickly pivot around maybe 180’ to get the best shots, so you need to be in open space. The last thing you want is a shot of the back of her head in the moment when you ask her to marry you. Of a shot of the back of your head when she says yes.
She has an expression of pure joy when he offers her the engagement ring.
He offers her the engagement ring
She said Yes!
Her tears are because she’s so happy.
Champagne and Strawberries
Back to Canary Wharf shoot. This groom arranged champagne and strawberries, but it was a problem after as they had to carry it around when we went for a photoshoot around the docks of Millwall. However, she loved it so maybe it was worth it.
Champagne and strawberries from a picnic hamper
The couple celebrate their engagement with Champagne
They drink Champagne and pose for the camera
Engagement Photoshoot London
After the proposal, the photoshoot follows. Beautiful London locations make wonderful backdrops for beautiful photos. So your open space needs to be next to a great backdrop of famous building. The photos you see here are in the Mud Chute Park which is just to the south of spectacular Canary Wharf.
As evening set we walked across to Millharbour basin.
Engagement Photographer London
Millharbour basin
The setting sun made it a romantic setting with the harbour in the background
And then they started dancing
The colourful lights reflecting in the water of South Quay
Night shoot in Canary Wharf
Romantic couple, South Quay, Canary Wharf
Engagement Photoshoot Locations
Places that are very crowded can ruin photos as crowds pass in the way of the shot or people stop and stare and stand directly in the way of the photographer. Busy London locations can be done only if you are up early before the crowds arrive.
So if you want a photoshoot on the steps of St Pauls Cathedral, then try to pick a time when it’s fairly quiet and plan to do the actual proposal on the grass across the road, a place called Carter Lane Gardens. Then for the photoshoot you can be on the steps of the Cathedral with those grand columns as a backdrop.
The Millennium Bridge is probably never a good place because it’s so crowded and also very narrow, making it difficult for the photographer to pivot around and get the reaction shot.
A good London location will provide us a selection of different backgrounds. Tower Bridge also has the Thames, and the Shard, which allows photos from the restaurant at the top. In fact, that’s a brilliant place to end a proposal photo shoot, as you can say goodbye to the photographer and sit down to eat in a spectacular restaurant.
Other good locations include the Pergola at Golders Hill Park. They will charge £100, but it’s worth it,
Brick Lane and Spitalfields is much loved for the graffiti and artistic environment and the beautiful Huguenot houses in Princelet Street.
Engagement Photographer
A proposal is a life-changing event. To capture the moment in photos makes for a stunning memory. The would-be groom should fully expect the photos to show tears of happiness and smiles of joy. It’s a life changing moment to make a marriage proposal. Why not make the moment live forever with a beautiful set of pictures?
A London Proposal Photographer could do just that.