Dan and Becky’s surprise proposal at The Beverley Barn started with me hiding in my car. Not quite my usual arrival for a photoshoot, but there was a very good reason for it!
Dan had arranged everything and asked me to wait until they arrived, then sneak out and get into position before he went down on one knee. Add a storm into the mix and we had a few things to work around. Somehow, we got lucky with the weather. I’ll absolutely take that.
Waiting for the moment at The Beverley Barn
My job was to keep out of sight until it was time to move. Once I spotted them arriving, I could sneak out of the car and get ready to photograph the proposal without wandering into the middle of it.
Dan got down on one knee beneath the wooden shelter, with Becky standing in front of him. The garden path led straight towards them, so I could photograph the moment with the barn’s outdoor setting around them.
That’s the important bit with a surprise proposal: working out where I need to be beforehand, so you can get on with asking the question. No stopping everything for the camera!
Newly engaged, straight into gaming chat
Once I’d congratulated them, we spent pretty much the rest of the session talking about gaming and games. Such a fun couple, and definitely no shortage of things to talk about. My kind of session!
With the surprise out of the way, we took some photographs around the barn. A wander along the garden path, a few on the wooden bench and some out on the lawn. There were plenty of laughs, a playful lift and, of course, a closer look at Becky’s new ring.
I like keeping couple photographs relaxed like this. We can move around, have a chat and make a few photographs along the way, rather than feeling as though you need to spend the whole time working out what to do with your hands.
And if that chat happens to be about games, even better.
A wander through Beverley after dark
We carried on into Beverley as it got dark, which gave the photographs a completely different feel from the garden at the barn.
We took a few photographs on the crossing and outside the illuminated church, with its stonework lit up behind them. The tall stone doorway gave us another spot to try, and we got a closer look at the ring again during the evening.
I really like having that mix in the finished set. The proposal itself, some relaxed photographs afterwards, then a little wander around town. All part of the same session, with plenty of gaming chat in between.
Planning a surprise proposal in Beverley?
A little planning beforehand makes a big difference. We can talk through where you’re proposing, how you’ll arrive and where I can wait without giving the game away. For Dan and Becky, that meant my car until it was time to sneak into position.
If you’re planning something outdoors, it’s sensible to have a weather plan too. We got lucky during this storm, but I wouldn’t build the whole plan around the weather behaving itself!
You can also leave a bit of time for photographs together afterwards. It doesn’t have to turn into a big production. Dan and Becky’s session was mostly a wander, a chat and a lot of fun.
Dan and Becky, thanks for letting me in on the plan and being such good fun afterwards. A massive congratulations to you both!
A few useful questions
Can you stay hidden for a surprise proposal?
Yes. We can plan where I’ll wait and when I’ll get into position. For Dan and Becky’s proposal, that meant waiting in my car until they arrived.
Can we have photographs together afterwards?
Absolutely. Dan and Becky’s session included the proposal itself, photographs around The Beverley Barn and a wander through Beverley afterwards.
Can I arrange a proposal at The Beverley Barn?
Check with the venue about availability and permission first, then we can talk through photographing your plans.
Planning a surprise of your own?
Tell me what you’ve got in mind and we’ll work out how to photograph it without giving the game away.
Tell me about your plans →