Engagement photo shooting usually implies a certain amount of surprise: the future bride is not informed about the future groom’s intention to propose. On the other hand, the photographer is usually well aware of it, as the future groom agreed with him or her about the time and place of the engagement shots.
Well, I recently experienced a different, curious situation: I was appointed a couple portrait in Venice by a young Russian couple. We were just completing the first half of our informal photo stroll when the young men told me that he wanted to propose that very day to the lady and asked for advice. I had to think a bit about it and then proposed to use a kind of trick.
We arrived by ferry at the picturesque island of San Giorgio and I took some pictures of the young couple with the Canal Grande and Piazza San Marco on the background . Then I pretended to have to answer an urgent call and left the couple alone. My camera had been set to shoot a video in the meanwhile.
And what did the camera catch? The two young people were hugging and exchanging sweet words when the man suddenly fell down on his knees and took a ring out of his pocket. The lady suddenly broke into tears and cried for a long time. He hugged her again, softly talked to her and, just to be sure that her reaction was due to surprise and joy, asked once again if she wanted to marry him. The lady eventually nodded without stopping crying, as you can see in these pictures.
I entered the stage and took the last few shots in that soft, romantic atmosphere of smiles and tears…
Well, in case you need an experienced photographer and a consultant for last-minute wedding proposals, just email me.
For further examples of engagement photography in Venice see my webiste, or read my ebook on photography settings in Venice.