When Arpit first reached out about planning a surprise proposal for Grace, he already knew two things: the location needed to feel romantic, and the moment needed to remain completely unexpected. From the very first discovery call, I could tell how much care and thought he was putting into making this milestone unforgettable — and I was honored to help bring it to life.
The Planning
Every proposal I photograph starts with careful preparation. For Arpit and Grace, that meant:
- Coordinating a signal: We agreed on a simple five-minute warning text so I could be in position without tipping Grace off.
- Scouting the light: As I do with every session, I visited the Discovery Park viewpoint ahead of time, using my AR sun planner to make sure we’d catch the golden light just where we wanted it. Though I often bring portable lighting to my shoots, we decided against it this time so as to remain as discrete as I can prior to the surprise.
- Choosing the setting: Though we considered Olympic Sculpture Park, I found that construction made The Discovery Park viewpoint the clear choice for romance, mountain views, and a sense of peace.
Setting the Scene
On the day itself, I arrived early to calibrate my cameras and even set up a 360-video camera for behind-the-scenes, fully-immersive coverage. I wanted to blend in with the many other photographers around me doing what could only be senior portraits that evening — anything to keep Grace from suspecting what was coming. That’s when a twist of fate stepped in. I overheard a couple nearby speaking French, introduced myself, and to my delight they agreed to help. They became the perfect decoys, creating a distraction so I could stay close without raising suspicion.
Grace and Arpit just walking upto the viewpoint. And – my Québécois decoys! Milles mercis a vous!! They made this surprise proposal go exactly as planned! My one regret is not getting their number! If you’re out there, please get in touch so I can say thank-you!
The Proposal
As Arpit and Grace strolled down the path, my “French couple” smiled and struck their poses for me while I lingered just far enough away to blend in. Grace assumed I was photographing them, unaware that I was really waiting for Arpit’s signal. Then, the text came through: five minutes. My heart racing as I adjusted my lens, scanning for the perfect angle relative to my about-to-be-engaged couple while still wanting to remain discreet. Suddenly, I caught sight of the little box in Arpit’s hand. In that instant, all pretenses went out the window — I rushed forward to capture every second of Grace’s shock, joy, and overflowing emotion.
Why This Matters
Moments like these are why I do what I do: not just to take photographs, but to preserve emotions that can’t be repeated. A proposal is both fleeting and monumental, and my goal is always to create photographs that feel timeless and true to the people at the center of them. Here is more of what I photographed that unforgettable evening:
If you’re dreaming up your own proposal — whether surprise or planned together — I’d love to help you craft it into a story worth remembering. From location scouting to subtle signals, I’ll be there to preserve not just how it looked, but how it felt.
See more of my couples portraits here or enjoy Arpit and Grace’s gallery with more pixels here.
Get in touch to start planning your unforgettable moment.
