Proposal or couple session: how to choose

Both requests land in the same inbox, almost with the same words: “we’d like some photos together, in Paris.” Yet a marriage proposal and a couple session aren’t prepared the same way, and they don’t deliver the same result. Here’s how to choose.

The proposal

Only one moment truly matters: the second the question is asked. Everything else (the location, the time, the outfit) is arranged to protect the surprise and capture a reaction that can never be replayed. It’s a short, tense session where I stay invisible until the instant everything changes.

The couple session

Here, nothing needs to stay secret. The session lasts an hour, there’s time to get it wrong, to try again, to laugh at a failed pose. The goal isn’t one unique moment but a series of images that tell who you are, together, right now.

How to decide

If one of you doesn’t know what’s about to happen, it’s a proposal.
If you want photos of the two of you with no particular occasion, it’s a couple session.
If the proposal already happened and you want to restage it for photos, it’s neither. It never works as well as the real moment.

One isn’t priced like the other

A well-prepared proposal needs scouting and total discretion; a couple session needs time on location. Both are worth it, but they shouldn’t be compared on an hourly rate: it’s the outcome that differs, not just the duration.

Ready to book? See the proposal session or the couple session, depending on what fits your plans.

Frequently asked

How long does each one last?
The proposal covers a full hour: the moment itself, then a couple session right after, often the best part once the tension has settled. A standalone couple session also runs an hour, with one outfit change possible.

How far in advance should we book?
For a proposal, three to four weeks on average, closer to two months in high season. For a couple session, write with your date and I’ll confirm availability.

Can we decide between the two at the last minute?
Not really. The discretion a proposal needs (position, agreed signal, timing) has to be worked out beforehand. Better to settle on one at booking than on the day itself.