“Will they notice?” That’s the question I get asked most before a surprise proposal. Short answer: I do everything to stay invisible, and it works most of the time.
How do you stay invisible?
We talk through the meeting point and where I’ll be standing before the big moment. I’m in position twenty to thirty minutes before you arrive, at a distance, with a telephoto lens, like any other visitor. We agree on a discreet signal so I know the moment is close.
Is this a surprise-planning service?
No, photography only. I don’t book venues, arrange music, or manage a team, I photograph the moment. There are agencies in Paris that plan this kind of event start to finish; I’m not one of them.
What if it rains?
We decide together the evening before. Either we shift by an hour, or we switch to the covered backup location arranged at booking. That’s included, no extra charge.
Can we continue shooting after the proposal?
That’s the plan: the package covers the proposal and the couple session that follows. It’s often the best part, because the tension has settled.
How far in advance should we book?
Three to four weeks on average. In high season, plan for closer to two months. If your date is soon, write to me anyway, there’s sometimes room.
What the day looks like, step by step
- Before: you tell me your plan, the date, and how your partner will end up at the spot. I suggest two or three places based on the light and the crowds, plus a covered backup in case of rain.
- The evening before: we check the weather together and confirm the time, or switch to the backup.
- Twenty to thirty minutes before: I’m in position, at a distance, with a telephoto lens, looking like any other visitor.
- The signal: as you get close, you make the small gesture we agreed on, so I know it’s about to happen.
- The moment: I photograph everything, from the knee going down to the first calls to your families.
- Right after: once the tension drops, we carry on with a relaxed couple session nearby.
- The next day: five images to share the news, and the full gallery within ten days.
Which signal should we agree on?
Something small that looks natural from a distance and that you won’t do by accident: stopping at the exact spot we picked, putting a hand in a particular pocket, or taking off your jacket. We choose it together before the day, and I watch for it from the moment you arrive.
Where in Paris works best for a surprise
The places I suggest most are the Trocadéro, Pont de Bir-Hakeim, Montmartre at sunrise and the gardens of the Palais-Royal. The rule is the same everywhere: the earlier, the calmer. At the Trocadéro, seven in the morning makes a real difference compared with eight, as I explain in my Trocadéro proposal guide. The Canal Saint-Martin also works well in the morning, while the quays are still quiet.
Do I always hide?
No. Sometimes the best option is to be seen. For Richard’s proposal on the Canal Saint-Martin, I shared my live location with him, he walked past me with his partner, and I offered to take a few photos of them “for myself, for free”. She said yes and relaxed in front of the camera; then I asked her to turn away for a moment, and when she turned back, he was on one knee. We choose the approach together, depending on the place and on your partner.
Quick answers
Who photographs the proposal?
Me, Enes Dogan, a proposal photographer based in Paris.
How much does it cost?
From €250 for one hour with 10 retouched photos; the proposal plus couple session package starts at €450.
How do I book?
A €100 booking deposit (arrhes) holds the date; the balance is paid after the session.
Which languages?
English, French and Turkish.
When do I get the photos?
Five images the next day, the full gallery within ten days.
How many photos do we get?
Ten retouched photos for one hour, twenty for the proposal + session package (two hours, two locations), forty for the weekend.
Should I give you the ring?
No, keep it on you: it’s simpler when the moment comes.
Pricing
Packages start at €250. The full breakdown is in this article; here I’ve focused on how the secrecy actually works. The three packages (€250, €450 and €600) are listed line by line on the proposal page.
Book your date
A €100 deposit holds the slot.
A real example: how I photographed Richard’s surprise proposal on the Canal Saint-Martin, without hiding at all.
Read next: Proposal or Couple Session: Which One Is Right for You? · A multilingual photographer in Paris: French, English, Turkish