Yosemite National Park has breathtaking landscapes and is the perfect setting to plan a surprise proposal. Imagine dropping to one knee with iconic landscape and waterfalls as your backdrop!  If you’re considering planning a surprise proposal at Yosemite, let me give you some tips from a Yosemite proposal photographer, and how together we can plan your dream proposal!

How to Plan a Surprise Proposal at Yosemite National Park 

Step 1: Initial Consultation 

The process begins with a conversation, where I learn about your vision for the surprise proposal and learn about you and your partner! This can happen over email, Zoom, or a call. I’ll ask about important details, like whether you’ve been to Yosemite before, your partner’s style, and what kind of experience you’re hoping to create. 

Step 2: Location Scouting 

I know Yosemite inside and out, and based on our conversation, I’ll suggest the perfect proposal spot. Popular options include iconic locations like Tunnel View, Glacier Point, or Taft Point, depending on the time of day and season. If you’re looking for something more private, I’ll guide you to secret, less crowded areas that still offer stunning backdrops. Once we choose a spot, I’ll provide a detailed map, pin, or video instructions to make sure you can get there easily!

Step 3: Timeline and Planning the Moment 

We’ll create a timeline that ensures everything flows smoothly, keeping lighting and crowds in mind. I’ll give you tips on the best time of day to propose! Whether you prefer a sunrise with fewer tourists or a golden hour proposal with the setting sun. We’ll also go over the logistics of how I’ll stay incognito, often posing as a tourist or landscape photographer so that your partner isn’t tipped off. I’ll even practice exactly when to bring out my professional camera! 

Step 4: Capturing the Moment 

On the day of the proposal I arrive early, set up, and wait for you both to arrive. Often, I’ll be pretending to photograph the scenery so your partner doesn’t get suspicious. You approach, ask me to take a photo on your phone, and at the perfect moment, you get down on one knee! I switch to my professional gear and capture the entire moment, making sure not to miss a thing. 

Step 5: Post-Proposal Session

After the proposal, we can switch into an engagement session if you’d like!  Many couples bring a change of clothes, and I take you around Yosemite to some of my favorite spots for breathtaking portraits! This part is relaxed and fun, allowing you to soak in the excitement of the moment while I capture candid and posed shots. Feel free to set up a picnic or pop some champagne!

Step 6: Gallery Delivery 

Within the promised timeframe, I will deliver the edited gallery of your proposal. The images will include a mix of candid shots capturing the raw emotion of the proposal. It’ll also include photos highlighting Yosemite’s majestic landscapes. I’ll also include tips on how to order prints, albums, and more. 

By the end of the process, you’ll not only have beautiful photos of the proposal but also a memory that reflects your relationship and the beauty of Yosemite. 

Client Testimonials From People I helped Plan a Surprise Proposal in Yosemite!

Matt: I reached out to Alyssa about a surprise proposal at Glacier point in Yosemite only a few days before I had it planned. She was able to make time for my request and recommended the most amazing spot for the proposal. My girlfriend and I had never been to Yosemite before, but Alyssa made it easy to find the spot with detailed video instructions and directions. Once we got up there, Alyssa pretended to be a stranger that was kindly taking photos for us. When the time came for the surprise proposal, she switched to her professional camera and captured the entire moment beautifully.

My girlfriend could not have been more amazed at the surprise! After the proposal, Alyssa guided us all around glacier point, capturing different sceneries, poses, and angles. I could tell she had prepared a detailed plan for the experience. She was very professional, polite, and pleasant to work with. The gallery of pictures we received were incredible to the point our friends and families couldn’t believe they were real! I can’t thank Alyssa enough for making the moment so special, and I would recommend her without a doubt. 

Jeremy: I had the pleasure of working with Alyssa to plan my surprise proposal at Yosemite. From our first conversation, Alyssa was easy to communicate with and really took the time to listen to what I envisioned for the proposal. From there she suggested a few different options. She really knows the best spots for pictures! The proposal went off without a hitch and the pictures were so beautiful. My fiance and I are so happy with the photos we received back and cannot thank Alyssa enough for capturing this moment. I highly recommend working with Alyssa! 

Victor: OMG. Alyssa was freaking incredible and such a joy to work with on my proposal photoshoot in Yosemite. She made it so easy and was so proactive about brainstorming ideas not only on location, but the detailed coordination and logistics to make the best surprise for my now-fiance. She knows all the best spots to take photos in Yosemite Park (some spots are only known to a handful of photographers). My fiance and I felt so comfortable the whole time we took photos and Alyssa was able to bring out the best in both of us to capture most precious moments. I cannot recommend her highly enough for any photoshoots in California (and maybe beyond?). She will go 110% to give you the best experience possible. 

Stanley: I literally have no words with how amazing Alyssa is!! She went above and beyond to make sure my proposal was perfect despite the random weather change. She was very professional and so helpful with her kind heart. I highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a photographer. She will make your dreams a reality for you!

Let’s Plan your Surprise Proposal! I want to be your Yosemite Proposal Photographer!

If you’re thinking of popping the question in Yosemite, I’d love to help you plan the perfect surprise! You can check out more of my work here! You can also reach out here! Let’s make your proposal unforgettable!