Utah Bonneville Salt Flats Proposal
Picking the Bonneville Salt Flats for your proposal, engagement, wedding, and elopement is the right choice.
Picking & Planning Your Proposal
Proposals are one of my favorite shoots I get to do.
I love getting to capture them but planning them is a lot of fun as well.
When it comes to planning there is a lot more than just a pretty location to think about(that’s important though). I step into every proposal thinking about multiple things more than just the photos. Here are a few of the things I take into consideration.
1. Who is the couple? Are they a more private type of couple, are they okay with being seen more publicly, how long have they been together, is she expecting the proposal or is it a complete surprise?
All of those factors can change how I plan out a proposal for the couple. Usually, the man reaches out and describes to me a location they might like or at least a scenery. Then I try and get to know him and who his girlfriend is. Usually, those questions run through my head as we begin to chat. So I can plan as perfectly as possible to match their needs.
2. Timing. With a regular engagement shoot the couple arrives on time as planned expecting to meet me and we capture the photos. With a proposal, there are more things to think about. I plan for a couple to be a little later than planned. Typically, she has no clue. So the man trying to hide his plan and be on time… a little time difference usually happens. Just to not arouse suspicion he can’t be too nervous or rushed to be there so a good 10 minutes late is usual.
Another thing I have to think about with timing is the lighting. With the Salt Flats specifically, I like to know the weather in advance as each situation can create a different look. Overcast, sunny, partly cloudy, storm clouds, and sunset/sunrise all have their looks. I figured for this time of year in October it would just be partly cloudy, which helps me decide how I want him to propose, and how to pick the perfect time.
3. Now the proposal itself. Of course, a location is picked. Sometimes by the proposee and sometimes by me, or a mix of both. Based on the location I decide the view behind them that would be best that works with the light, and how to time it all. Now, I need to figure out how to hide or how to not be suspicious.
In some cases like this… impossible. But, I have a zoom lens and can keep my distance or we decide on acting like I’m just a photographer learning and I ask the couple if I can snap a few shots of them. In other cases though it’s me playing as a landscape photographer, hiding behind trees, sitting under stairwells, waiting on texts from others involved when to come out of hiding, etc.
Lastly, to get that perfect shot I just describe to him and show examples of how to propose in front of the camera. Just a nice side profile shot and we’ve got ourselves a happy couple on their way to marriage.
