The photography Blog

Search

A Summer Proposal at Savill Gardens | Clent & Cris

May 6
3 min read

Proposal Photographer Surrey | Virginia Water Proposal

Being asked to cover a proposal makes me positively giddy, I'm an old romantic and I love a surprise proposal! I'm always happy to help with advice or just to be told what the plan is and intergrate.

Clent got in touch with me just a couple of weeks before his planned proposal to Cris. He’d found me on Google while searching for a proposal photographer in Surrey, with a simple but meaningful plan: propose somewhere beautiful, keep it a surprise, and capture the moment as it unfolded naturally.

He was travelling from London and had his heart set on the Virginia Water area, but hadn’t chosen an exact spot yet. After chatting things through, we made a plan. I asked him to send me a photo of the two of them (so I knew exactly who I was looking for), and a few days before the proposal he shared a detailed map of his route and final location.

The moment he proposed in a lake front location at Saville Gardens

The Plan (and the Hideout)

Clent chose a beautiful lakeside spot within Savill Garden, surrounded by vibrant summer colour, blooming flowers, and peaceful water views.

To keep everything a surprise, I arrived early and found the perfect hiding place behind a large rhododendron bush. Close enough to capture everything, but completely out of sight. This is the part that always makes my heart pound, I wanted everything to be perfect for them both and I didn't want to be seen prematurely so I stayed well out of sight for the next 15 minutes while I waited!

Lush garden with tall trees, vibrant yellow and red flowers. Person in white stands near a bench, creating a serene atmosphere.

The Proposal

Clent had planned his own clever setup.

He brought a camera on a tripod, telling Cris he wanted to take a nice photo of the two of them together. In reality, he’d set it to record video, quietly capturing the entire proposal from another angle. He’d even clipped a tiny microphone onto his trousers so he could record what he was saying to her.

Cris looked incredible in a long white dress (I think she might have slightly suspected something was afoot because she looked gorgeous and ready for the occasion!)

And then he got down on one knee and that’s when I stepped out and started photographing all the love, tears and excitement! I especially love this one of Chris shedding a tear.

A woman in a white sweater holds hands with a man in a navy shirt outdoors. She gazes at him, green foliage in the background.

A Beautiful Surprise

Just after the proposal, another surprise unfolded.

Both of their families appeared, Clent had arranged for them to be there to celebrate. What started as an intimate moment instantly became something bigger, filled with hugs, congratulations, and a lot of emotion. It added another layer of emotion to the story of the day and was so important to them both.

A smiling couple stands in a lush garden near a pond, both wearing casual clothes. The scene is vibrant with green foliage and flowers.

A Walk Around the Gardens

After everything settled, we took a relaxed walk through the gardens for a short couple session.

We stopped at a few different spots to create a varied gallery including:

wide shots capturing the setting... oh my how gorgeous!

close, intimate moments

little details like the ring

and those in-between interactions that always end up being the favourites

One of the standout locations was in front of a vibrant pink and purple azalea bush, some of my favourite images from the session. The colours, the light, and the emotion all came together perfectly. I love a little wes anderson style pose and you can normally find at least one like this in every gallery I provide!

The final gallery feels exactly how the moment did, light, bright, colourful, and full of feeling.

A couple kisses amid vibrant pink and green blossoms in a lush garden. The scene is romantic and colorful, with sunlight filtering through.

Planning Your Own Proposal?

If you’re planning a proposal and want to capture it naturally without ruining the surprise, having a proposal photographer in Surrey or Virginia Water means you can stay completely present, while still having those memories to look back on forever.

If that sounds like something you’re thinking about, I’d love to hear your plans.

Here's another proposal I photographed- this time on horseback!

👉 [Get in touch here]

Comments

hi! I'm cat and i am a full time wedding photographer

(and a little bit of a photography geek!)

I started taking photos as a teenager, my Dad was a wedding photographer and I would often help him. In 2021 I left my corporate job with a dream and hope that I could make photography a full time job. Since then I have been pouring my heart and soul into this business and have been honoured to be chosen as wedding photographer for so many lovely couples as well as being a portrait and event photographer.

I TAKE CLASSIC, TIMELESS, DOCUMENTARY STYLE PHOTOGRAPHS WITH MINIMAL INTRUSION

But I will step in and offer gentle guidance when it's right to do so, I have learned over the years to read the room, anticipate the next move, hold space when needed and offer support when I can.

aRE YOU LOOKING FOR A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

When choosing a wedding photographer, consider their style, experience, portfolio, and reviews from previous clients. It's also important to discuss pricing, availability, and any specific requests you may have.

Don't forget to meet with them in person to ensure you have good chemistry and feel comfortable with their approach.

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential wedding photographers, it's a good idea to ask them some key questions to help you make your final decision.

Here are a few questions to consider:

What is your photography style? Do you prefer a more traditional approach or a more candid, documentary style?
Do you have experience with weddings of a similar size and style to mine?
Can I see a full gallery of a recent wedding you photographed? This will give you a better sense of their consistency and quality of work.
Do you have backup equipment in case something goes wrong on the day of the wedding?
How do you handle difficult lighting situations (e.g. low light, harsh sunlight, indoor vs. outdoor)? This will help you gauge their technical expertise.
What is included in your packages? Are there any additional fees I should be aware of (e.g. travel, overtime)?
How long will it take to receive my photos after the wedding? Will they be edited and retouched?
Can you accommodate any special requests I have (e.g. specific shots, family portraits)?
How do you ensure that you capture all of the important moments on the day of the wedding?

By asking these questions and having an open and honest conversation with your wedding photographer, you can ensure that you find the right fit for your big day.