Summertime is a great time to get engaged in Paris. That’s why I was so excited to be the photographer for this sweet summer surprise proposal. A surprise proposal is so important for couples and this engagement photoshoot was a celebration of love!
Gorgeous Couple
Whoa! Did someone call for a gorgeous couple? Because that’s what arrived along the banks of the Seine River on a beautiful late afternoon in September.
Yohannes had contacted me about photographing his surprise proposal to Elise. They would be visiting Paris and going elsewhere in France, and he want to pop the question with an Eiffel Tower view. On my web site, I share the very best views not only for a Paris surprise proposal with views of the Eiffel Tower, but also for photography, because they aren’t always mutually exclusive. Some locations are better than others for photographs.
The key thing to know is that Paris is always busy. Obviously, busier in the summer months, but even in the winter months, there will be loads of tourists around. There isn’t much you can do about that except embrace it, but when you want a private spot for your Paris surprise proposal, you may worry a bit.
As a Paris surprise proposal photographer, my experience allows me to understand the very best places for surprise proposals in Paris, and I understand the benefits and downfalls of each location. For clients who absolutely need privacy, to book a private room at a restaurant is best, and there are plenty of companies in Paris that help with those types of proposals.
The surprise proposals I photograph are indeed elegant in their own way, spontaneous, and low key. Yes, you may opt to have a champagne toast, a violinist, and I can even arrange a flower bouquet if you like, but to get the best views of Paris, in my opinion, is to be OUTSIDE IN Paris, and not from a window.
That’s why my clients love the Eiffel Tower Riverside location. It has a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower, probably the best view, because it’s directly across the river. The river does attract crowds, particularly in summer, when people gather to have picnics or to listen to music. But in general, it’s one of those spots where you’re most likely to get some semblance of a private experience.
How does it work? Do I hide behind a tree? Not exactly. A lot of people worry about this, Oh my partner is going to know! You’re in Paris, they’re already secretly hoping it’s going to happen here. What you have on your side is that they don’t know where, and they don’t know when. Also, you have to realize that there’s a moment after the proposal where there’s a disconnect from the brain and what’s happening. Even if you’ve discussed getting married a million times, the fact that the proposal happened causes many people to go into a state of temporary shock, and they don’t realize what just happened.
That’s where I come in, because you need a great person to capture this moment, so you both can enjoy it forever!
Because there are so many tourists in Paris, and many are carrying cameras, someone hanging out with a camera, photographing the Eiffel Tower, is nothing unusual. For this reason alone, I blend in. I don’t need to hide behind a tree, but I’m discrete also.
I know how important this moment is to the both of you, it’s likely something you’ve dreamed of for a long time, so my goal is to capture your proposal expertly and be a tremendous resource to you.
The Big Moment
Yohannes and Elise took a walk by the water and to get some great photos with their camera before dinner, but then Yohannes sprung into action and got on one knee before Elise even know what was going on. Their love story is sweet and tender, and it was an absolute honor to meet them!
Karina Leigh Photography
If you’re planning a surprise proposal in Paris, you can count on me to capture it for you beautifully, and make it a memorable moment you’ll remember for the rest of your lives!
