THE PROPOSAL GUIDE
Congratulations on planning your proposal!
I am here to help guide you along this exciting experience!
FIRST STAGES OF PLANNING
BOOK YOUR SESSION
Book your photo session so the date is reserved.
SCHEDULE A PHONE CONSULTATION
During this call we will go over:
• Your vision for how you want to do your proposal
• Go over all of your questions
• Location options that are available
• Backup locations or backup plans as needed
• Restaurant recommendations nearby for celebrating
• Game plan on how to encourage your partner to dress up and go out to a beach location before your dinner reservation. I can share some funny stories of what I have encountered when my husband proposed to me and what my client’s have experienced too!
Check out some of these links to see some full galleries
RECENT SURPRISE PROPOSAL GALLERIES
ALL IN THE DETAILS
MAP IT OUT
“HELP! I’M NOT FAMILIAR
WITH THE LOCATION!”
Not to worry! I will send you a pin to the location so you can pull up the directions with your smart phone. I will also go over a full plan of action of where to park, where to walk, how to find me, etc. I can also map out the location and the areas that are great to consider for doing your proposal too.
COMMON FEARS
"MY SPOT IS BUSY!"
"HELP! MY SPOT IS BUSY!"
If your favorite spot is busy with another portrait session or wedding ceremony, consider doing your proposal by the water for a clean background close to where I am. We can move you back to the scenic spots after your proposal for some amazing portraits!
STOP. PAUSE. POSITION.
REACTIONS
WHO’S REACTION DO YOU WANT CAPTURED?
Before your proposal, ask yourself if you want to capture your partner’s reaction to the proposal. If so, have them facing my direction before you kneel down so I can capture their reaction.
DON'T OVERTHINK IT
HAVE FUN
IT’S TOTALLY NORMAL to feel super anxious and nervous before the proposal happens, so if we don’t get the “perfect spot” or “perfect angle”, I will help guide you into some opportunities to capture a few different “reenactments” for video clips that we can use to send your family or more fun photo options for you and your partner to enjoy like closeups of you placing the ring on their finger or any special requests.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE ON MAUI
HELPFUL TIPS
SUNSCREEN IS YOUR FRIEND
If you are arriving a few days before your proposal, please try to avoid getting a sunburn before your session. Not only are they painful, but it will show up in your photos!
MUTE TEXT MESSAGES FROM ME
To avoid bringing too much attention to your phone getting messages, I highly would recommend placing my text messages on mute and just checking my messages when you get a private moment.You can also save my number under something neutral like “Maui Concierge” too.
SEND ME A SELFIE OR PHOTO OF YOU BOTH
You can send me a current photo of you both or take a selfie together before leaving your resort and let me see you both in your outfits.This is a fun memory for you to look back on before proposing too!
BEFORE THE SESSION
On the day of the surprise proposal
LET’S SHARE LOCATIONS WITH EACH OTHER
I will start sharing my location with you when I leave my house to meet you at the location so you know that I am on my way and can see when I am available at the location for you. This helps you also see exactly where I am to!
If possible, please try to share your location with me when you start your day so I can keep track of when you leave the reosrt. This helps me know how far away you are from the location and know when to be ready for the session to start without having to call or text you to see where you are. If I don’t receive your location, I will ask at the time I share my location with you.
UPDATES I WILL SEND WHEN I ARRIVE
When I arrive, I will give you an update on the following:
• If parking is overflowing, I will give you tips on what to expect before you arrive and where you can park.
• Where I will be located.
• If I am in a beach chair, I will have my cameras under a towel or beach shawl.
• If I am walking around with a beach shawl around my shoulders to hide my cameras, I will send you a photo of me with my outfit so you can recognize me.
Examples of text messages you might receive from me before you arrive
Parking updates
“Main parking lot is overflowing, so I parked off the main road near the entrance. If you spot my blue Mini Cooper, park somewhere around this area.”
How to spot me
“I have setup some beach chairs overlooking both spots. Currently the spot is open, but if someone moves into this spot, you can use the sand beach area to the left.”
My current view
“I will be bundled up in this blue and white beach towel to hide my cameras sitting on my lap.”
Update on your location
“Not too crowded today! Here is how it looks right now. See you soon!”
Tide updates
“Tide is high but looks great to access the SPOT today! When we reach that spot, enter into the cove in between waves.”
My outfit
“Here is my outfit for today! I will be wearing this beach shawl to hide the cameras hanging on my shoulders!”
FAQS
How do I book a session?
To reserve the date, I require an electronically signed contract online with a 25% non-refundable down payment to finalize the date in my calendar. The remaining fee would be due by the day of the event. For payments, I accept checks via mail or credit cards.
What if it rains?
In Hawai'i we consider the rain very lucky, so I will shoot rain or shine!
If the forecast shows that it is rainy, you have 24 hours to reschedule. Dates are first come, first serve, so other dates are not guaranteed to be available.
For weather advisories, you can opt to change locations to another part of the island or change the time of day for photos (which might require $50 beach permit fee for changing dates and/or locations).
What is the best time of day for photos?
My absolutely favorite time of day to shoot as a photographer is during the golden hour, which is the hour before sunset.
