Should your SURPRISE proposal be a surprise PHOTOSHOOT?
Photo session options
Having a surprise engagement photography session in Kauai will be immeasurably special for you. When you look back years later, no doubt you'll say, "I'd love to go back to that sushi bar by the beach the day I proposed to you." Well, having timeless photographs in your album will make it that much more special.
There are two different methods to photograph a surprise proposal.
Method A: To propose during a planned photoshoot. This does not hinder the surprise proposal, and it has photographic and cost benefit. Your Kauai engagement photographer will have far more control with lighting and your placement. The photoshoot would begin like a regular couples' session with a meet and greet, then into the session. Then you'd get a nod or wink or whisper from the photographer when those lighting and placement conditions are aligned. It means go time.
Method B: A stakeout photoshoot where I (assuming I'm your photographer) will be waiting for you in the predetermined spot/time. With the stakeout, you might think the surprise will be better, that your partner will be suspicious with a photoshoot, only statistics say otherwise. A high percentage of partners are suspicious or know anyway and those that don't suspect don't suddenly get suspicious because you're having a photoshoot. But with the stakeout, your partner doesn't know you have a time-specific photographer appointment, so time becomes care-free. If she/he decides to stop off at a store or to sightsee or just go slow, you'll no doubt feel the need to call me, and suddenly you're confronted, "Who were you talking to?" And if you're running very late, your stress level might find itself off the hook. While the stakeout can go off without a hitch on time, as planned, it often does not.
The choice is entirely yours. Most of my clients choose the couples photoshoot, method-A. The stakeout fee is roughly double.
'nuff said,
--David, your Kauai surprise proposal photographer