KARINA LEIGH
surprise proposal photographer
nice, france
Congratulations, you've decided to propose to the one you love in one of the most beautiful places in France, Nice! Now, it's time to make sure that you have incredible photographs to remember this special day.
I'm Karina, an American professional photographer, living in France for over a decade. As an expert Nice, France surprise proposal photographer, I'm there for you from the moment you contact me, until the moment you view your gorgeous proposal images and all the moments in between. I'll capture your special moment to cherish forever, and make the whole process an absolute breeze!
Please scroll to see some of the best locations in Nice for a surprise proposal and to see my surprise proposal photo session collection. I can't wait to meet you!
Please scroll to see some of the very best locations, plus galleries of my past surprise proposals in Nice
Booking Karina for a surprise engagement photo shoot was worth every penny! We could not be happier with our experience working with Karina and most importantly how the photos turned out!
From the moment I reached out inquiring about her services, she was so quick to respond and was extremely flexible and accommodating despite her busy schedule and the time difference. Karina made the process of deciding on a specific location for the engagement extremely easy as she provided multiple site locations and examples of what the setting would look like. Once she helped me narrow down the location for my engagement she provided great advice and direction on getting to the specific location, ensuring the proposal went off without a hitch.
On the days leading up to the engagement, Karina kept in close contact, notifying me about the potential for some bad weather on the scheduled date and even provided some potential contingency plans if the weather did not cooperate including the flexibility to change the engagement date if I felt it necessary which really helped calm my nerves knowing she would help make the engagement work no matter the weather situation.
When it came time for the big moment, Karina provided very detailed instructions on how to get to the location and how to signal to her that we arrived. I couldn't have imagined a better setting for the proposal and the pictures she captured of the moment were as perfect as the setting.
Post-proposal, Karina gave fantastic direction and advice for the subsequent photo shoot. She recommended great poses in some of the most beautiful backdrops. Karina is clearly a seasoned veteran photographer and every step of the way she displayed such.
What made things even better was how pleasant she was to chat with as we walked the streets of Nice to some of the different icon settings for the photos. She made us feel extremely comfortable and shoot was somewhat fun and that is coming from someone who hates to get there photos taken.
Overall, we honestly couldn't have asked for a better experience from start to finish. We would recommend Karina's services to anyone looking for a photographer.
Tom & Chais, USA
This is my client's favorite Nice surprise proposal location. It has beautiful views of the Nice marina (port) and sea beyond. Because it's such a beautiful view, it is a tourist attraction, but with a little patience, a beautiful proposal can happen here. Mornings are best but late afternoon/evenings can work, too.
Please note: there are 426 steps, about 6 staircases to climb to get to the top, take it slow, enjoy the view. There is an elevator, but it isn't often in service. Castle Hill is conveniently located near Old Town on the east side of the Promenade des Anglais, so easy to access.
The boardwalk in Nice is called the Promenade des Anglais, and runs for about 4 miles along the sea. It offers amazing views. Many couples love to propose with this view of the sea.
This is a long stretch on the east side of the Promenade des Anglais with sea views and places to sit. It attracts a lot of people at night, runners in the morning. There are beautiful sea views, and since people walk past here, it's not unusual to be taking a walk here, this path leads to the marina.
The Nice marina (or port in French) is on the other side of Castle Hill, on the far east side of Nice. The marina is home to many impressive large yachts and some colorful buildings, with Mount Boron in the background, home to many celebrities. This is a scenic and relatively private spot for a surprise proposal in Nice, no view of the sea, but water in the marina.
Just near the lighthouse, which is on the other side of Castle Hill, on the far east side of the Promenade des Anglais boardwalk, you'll find a seawall with large concrete blocks. While this may not be the most romantic looking location, it's accessible, fairly private, and also has a pretty view of the blue sea.
Another option that would be perfect in the early morning or in the late afternoon, would be to have your hotel prepare a picnic right on the beach. Keep in mind the beach in Nice is not sand, it's fine large stones. While it's not a conventional type beach, it's a lot cleaner than a sand beach. In high season (summer), a proposal on the beach would have to be early morning before a lot of people have arrived to the beach or late afternoon when a lot of people have left the beach. Otherwise, it's incredibly crowded.
If a water view isn't necessary, or preferred, another beautiful spot is Old Town Nice. While it is a residential area with an area with a lot of restaurants, it's incredibly colorful and there are actually some pockets that are quite private. It could be an interesting and unique place to propose if you're on a walk in the old town.
The rate for Nice surprise proposals is 599€. It includes up to 60 minutes of photography, to include your proposal and a beautiful mini engagement session afterward in the immediate area, to capture the joy you both feel. Your images will be ready in just 48 short hours, not sneak peaks, but the beautiful finished images. I'll also be sending you a list of restaurant recommendations, so that you can celebrate this big event in your lives!
I like Nice best because of its amenities. You have fabulous hotels & other places to stay, as well as great restaurants. Also, proximity to the beach, nice views from Castle Hill, the charm of Old Town and good shopping too. For a surprise proposal that's really a surprise, meaning you're out on a walk before breakfast, or before dinner, let's say, stopping to admire the view and get on one knee in Nice is really special and unexpected.
Within Nice itself, there are a number of nice spots, most couples prefer Castle Hill, with its views over Nice, but along the boardwalk, beach or marina are nice too. Some couples even love the colorful charm of the old town.
Remember, Nice and the entire Riviera is very popular with tourists, and no public private proposal can be completely private, but it will be beautiful and memorable.
Mornings are best if you’re morning people. If you’re up and about anyway sightseeing, this ensures your proposal is really unexpected. There's also fewer tourists around in the morning., and the light is quite special. Evenings are best if you would like to go to dinner after your proposal to celebrate. It's also the best way to make sure your loved one is dressed up for their photos, as they know they’ll be going to dinner and will look great. I do not offer proposals at other times of the day due to the lighting being more harsh mid-day and I try to avoid as many tourists as possible. Keep in mind, as we are in public places, and the French Riviera is world famous and has a lot of tourists, surprise proposals cannot be completely private. If you'd like to arrange a completely private proposal, you'd need to reserve a private space in a hotel, for example.
I do not offer video services at this time. Some people like to set up a tripod with their phone for a "selfie" and then just let the video run as they get on one knee, that can work too!
I also serve other cities on the French Riviera, including Villefranche sur Mer, Antibes, Cannes, Menton and others, please inquire. Destinations outside of Nice city center would incur additional fees.
I do not serve Eze (Eze Village) for a number of reasons. While it's stunningly beautiful, it's also over-run with tourists, and because it's so small (only one main street), it gets incredibly crowded, which to me does not make a good experience. Other than the exotic garden, I don't think there's much to do there, either, unless you dine at Chateau Eza. There are also fees and restrictions on proposal photography, for example the photography fee at the exotic garden (with many varieties of cacti and a stunning view of the sea), has a 200€ photography fee. Also, while it's not that far from Nice, it takes a long time to get there, Uber and taxis are possible, but there is a lot of traffic on the road to get there, and then it's a bit of a hassle to walk into the town itself. For many, Eze is their dream, and I completely understand it, but as a professional photographer, to me it is not an ideal experience.
Instead, for a more authentic and equally stunning experience, I recommend the hilltop village of Roquebrune Cap Martin, which has the ruins of a chateau, and a view of the sea to Monaco. Its bright orange buildings are beautiful and it's incredibly charming and not over-run with tourists. Better yet, you can easily get there by train (although it requires a long walk) or by taxi or Uber.
You'll be walking along with your loved one, somewhere in Nice, usually with a view of the sea, very often you'll be going to dinner. You'll pass by the sea for example, or climb up Castle Hill. and stop to admire the view and take a selfie. Then, you'll look your sweetheart in the eyes, say your words, and then get on one knee. I'll be there to capture it all. I will give you directions so you know exactly where to go and can look for me to verify that all is ready for your big moment. It's actually super simple!
My service is for the surprise proposal itself, plus a mini engagement session afterward in a location nearby to your proposal location, up to 60 minutes of total photography coverage. This is relaxed way to celebrate your engagement, and most people love it, as it gives a chance to relax and unwind. Some couples even use their engagement photos in Nice for their wedding "Save the Date" cards. If you do not wish to have a mini-engagement session after your proposal, no worries, but it's a really fun way to share in the excitement and joy of your engagement.
Yes! You can book an engagement session the day after your surprise proposal, it's an incredible way to celebrate your engagement!
Your surprise proposal images are ready in just 48 HOURS! These aren't sneak peeks or proofs, no! They're the real deal, each image I capture of you, hand edited in my signature style with care, and uploaded in digital (JPG) format to an online gallery. In your online gallery, you can review your images and download those you love best. You can even download the entire gallery for an additional charge, and create beautiful prints right from your gallery!
If your plans change for any reason, there is a non-refundable retainer of 250€, but anything you've paid over that amount will be refunded. I ask for at least 72-hours notice of cancellation.
If you have more questions, drop me a line at karina@karinaleigh.com, or send me a WhatsApp message to 33 07 51 42 35 78. I'll send you a booking link and you can reserve online and pay with secure credit card. As soon as I receive your payment, I'll send you confirmation and loads of useful information.
You're getting engaged on the French Riviera, you're making the best decision, and I can't wait to capture these memories for you to have forever!