Tips when having a photographer during your proposal

Where are you going to drop down on a knee and propose to your lady? In San Diego, there are a number of beautiful locations that you can propose and save that magic moment.

If you want a photographer, here are some things that you want to make sure that you keep in mind.

Make sure that there is good light where you want to propose

A lot of times during these proposals the photographer has to be hiding around the corner at some location and won't be able to set up a solid flash to get everything just the way you like.

Make sure that you have a schedule that works out well and are at your location at that exact time. We like to have people schedule out their time right at sunset. Check what time sunset is and have it all scheduled by that time.

Schedule out your plan up to the proposal

The last thing you need is to run over time on your schedule and start rushing as your time gets closer. You don't need to add any more stress to your proposal. Leave extra time on your schedule to make sure that you are not left in a hurry.

Be in solid communication with you photographer before the proposal day

Make sure that the location is clear. Make sure that the time is clear. Make sure that the photographer knows exactly how the plan is going to go and when you are going to drop down on a knee.

If possible, let the photographer know exactly where you will be facing in order for the photographer to get in proper position for the money shot.

Hold the pose on a knee for your proposal

Just hold the pose.  Don't drop down and jump right back up. Stay down there long enough to get a few solid images. We are not saying that you should be down on the knee for a few minutes, just give it a few seconds before you come up to hug and kiss your lady.

Hire a photographer

You will want someone to capture this moment. It is a big day in your life and you will want someone to be there to capture the moment properly. Don't have your friends do it on their phone. Have a pro ready to capture your day.

What to do when in rains in SoCal during your engagement session

What do you do when it actually starts to rain in Southern California during your engagement session? It never rains in Southern California. At least that is what everyone else in the world thinks. For the very few moments that the weather does bring down some rain, we have to be prepared. Usually your photographer will give you a heads up on the upcoming weather for the day in advance and it will give you a chance to reschedule the appointment or to just continue on with the day.

Normally, we would recommend to continue on with the session and if the day gets too full of rain, then we will work on doing another session.

In SoCal, there are usually different pockets in which the weather will be good enough for you to go outside and get some shots. There were a number of clients in which we rescheduled, but at the time of their appointment it was beautiful and sunny outside. That is just that SoCal weather that we all know to love.

Find a cute indoor location like a winery or coffee shop

If you do decide to brave the elements, there are a few things that you need to be prepped with. As far as location, find a cute spot indoors in which your photographer can work with. For our clients yesterday we had chosen a little winery and coffee shop in Solana Beach.

Since the rain is out, those locations should be pretty empty. Just call to make sure that it will be OK to take some photos at the location before you walk in.

Bring proper rain gear

You will want to have an umbrella. Also, make sure that it is nice and big and that two people can stand under it at a time. At some point, your photographer would likely want you to go out in the rain and take some photos.

Bring some towels and a change of clothes. If you don't expect to get wet, you likely are going into the shoot with the wrong attitude and it might be better for you to reschedule. You are going to get wet.

Bring makeup

Since you likely are going to get wet, you are going to want to be able to touch up from time to time.

Be ready to move quickly

In San Diego, you have to be ready to move. There is going to be a pocket of time in which there will be no rain and you can get to that dream location that you were wanting. When that pocket hits, be ready to move and get to that location. Keep your indoor location near that outdoor location that you want to move to.

We did an engagement shoot yesterday in the middle of El Nino and we found a pocket of time to shoot and came away with some great images at the beach. Here is a quick share from that shoot:

Just know that you will get some great images with a good photographer. They will be able to make some magic happen indoors and outdoors with you and they will be prepped for the day.

Engagement session photographer: Be Still Photog | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon Location: Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach

Where should you have your engagement session?

As a wedding photographer, we get this question a lot: Where should we have our engagement session? 

Our best answer would be that it would be a place that you are comfortable in. A place that you are familiar with.

We usually like to recommend a location in which the couple had their first date or any other location that has some sort of significance for the couple.

San Diego has a number of great locations to do an engagement session. Balboa Park is always a favorite location to take photos. The architecture of the buildings is so amazing and there are a number of different locations in which you could take amazing photos.

Any place that has great architecture, the photos are going to turn out amazing. The Salk Institute in La Jolla is a great spot to take photos as well, but you have to be a little more sneaky about it there. Professional photographers are not allowed to take photos there. So you just

The beach is always another favorite for couples. How can you go wrong out there?

Couples also like to change things up and get more greenery in their photos, so they choose a spot around Miramar Lake or Lake Hodges.

There are a number of great looking places like that is Southern California. Some other places that could make for some amazing photos are in a library or in a movie theater. We have taken photos on Montgomery Air Field.

The locations are endless. Take some time to select the best location that fits you. We could take photos at a Starbucks and feel great about it.

There are definitely some locations that we would love to take photos at though. If you are interested in going out to them, then let us know and we can work out a better deal with you.

Here is our dream list at the moment:

San Juan Capistrano Mission Inside of a library Inside of a hangar

We also are interested in doing more theme type photography. At the moment we want to do a shoot that incorporates Star Wars in the engagement shoot.

Follow our facebook page to see the latest themed worked we are looking to do is. We usually will offer to do those shoots for a very discounted rate.

What awesome and unique locations can you think of for an engagement shoot?

Proposal Photography | Proposal at Stone Brewery

 

San Diego Proposal Photography: Be Still Photog | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon Venue: Stone Brewery | Escondido, CA

We were asked to capture this awesome moment for Jake and Stephanie. Jake had it planned out that he would ask his now fiance to marry him at the location that they spent hours at. They literally shut the place down when they were sitting on this bench talking to each other for hours. They were in the garden at Stone Brewery where the two of them hit it off and Jake wanted to bring her back there a year later to get down on one knee and propose.

Jake had it all planned out and shared with us his vision. He took some candles from Stephanie's house and wanted it set up on the bench. He made a custom-made ring box that matched the candles and he wanted it laid out on the bench.

Jake would lead Stephanie out to a walk in the garden at Stone Brewery and get to the bench. When he comes around she was going to see the bench and he would then ask her.

Everything went according to plan and here are some of the captured moments from the day: 

San Diego Wedding Proposal photography| Stone Brewery

 

San Diego Wedding Proposal photography: Be Still Photog | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon

We have done a few wedding proposals now and this one was definitely going to be the most challenging. When we were asked to capture this moment, we knew that the situation would be a challenge. It was going to be late at night and the lighting at the location was little to none.

For the proposal, we had to set up the location with some candles and a custom made box that he created and place it out on a bench that they spent their first date on forever at Stone Brewery. They would walk up on the bench and he would pop the question there.

Since the lighting was tough, we brought a video light and guessed a location that it would all go down and lit it up. Since this was supposed to be a surprise, we chose to sit back and hide and didn't want to pop off a bunch of flash. We had to open up the lens real wide and increase the ISO, but this was all about the moment. We didn't want to change up the moment and the reactions with their awareness of being on camera, so we kept the flash down.

Here is just some from the day. We will get them all fully cleaned up this week: 

San Diego Engagement Photography | Beautiful day at Del Mar

San Diego Engagement Photography: Be Still Photog | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon Location: Del Mar, CA | 5th Street Beach

What an amazing day at Del Mar with Tony and Karla a month ago. We did this engagement session with them a month ago, but had not posted to the blog till now. We already have shot their wedding on July 4 and already shared that on the page, but we didn't get to share the great moments at Del Mar.

We went down to 5th Street at Del Mar and found a number of locations to get some amazing moments. Tony and Karla were amazing in front of the camera and they proved that on their wedding day as well. They are such a fun couple to be around and we loved being around them.

Being around the beach created an awesome vibe with the couple despite the number of people that were running around in their bathing suits. It was fun running around with them throughout the day.

We were excited to be their photographers for their big day and for their engagement photos. They are such an amazing couple.

Check out some of the images from their engagement session below. You can also see some of their wedding photos here.

San Diego Engagement Photography | Beautiful couple at Sunset Cliffs

San Diego Engagement Photography: Be Still Photog | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon Location: Sunset Cliffs | Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

How freaking amazing is Sunset Cliffs? It is even better when you have a beautiful couple to work with for their engagement photos.

We went down to the beach and it was high tide, so we couldn't get down to the shore, but we were able to stand on the rocks at the bottom of the stairs. The waves were still crashing on us, but it made for some amazing photos. The sky cleared up just enough to get some blue in it as well.

Check out some of the fun photos with Joe and Tristanne during their engagement photo session. They are an awesome couple and we look forward to their wedding at the beginning of September. It is going to be a great time!

Will we get that awesome tide again for our portrait session or will we actually get down to the beach and get our toes in the sand? We will have to wait to find out.

San Diego Engagement Photography | Tide was just right at Sunset Cliffs

San Diego Engagement Photography with Joe and Tristanne at Sunset Cliffs. The tide was just right over the weekend to capture some amazing images.

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San Diego Engagement Photography : Be Still Photog | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon Location: Sunset Cliffs

We just finished up an engagement shoot over the weekend down at Sunset Clfifs and captured an amazing location down at the shore line. We didn't expect the tide to be as high as it was, but look at the beautiful shot that we were able to capture.

There was a little bit of hesitancy going down with the water crashing up on the rock, but after getting a few splashes on them we were able to capture some beautiful images like the one that is seen above. We still are going through some of the images that we took with Tristanne and Joe at the cliffs, but we had to share this great moment down at the shore line.

As long as they were willing to go down and get a little wet, we were going to get down there with them to capture the moment. Looking down from the top of the cliffs, it didn't look as if we were going to find an area to shoot at the beach. We decided to walk down the stairs anyway and came upon the perfect location. We will have the rest of the session completed soon and will share the images with everyone.

The Proposal at Coronado Beach - Jim and Isa - San Diego Engagement Photography

 

San Diego engagement photography with Jim and Isa at Coronado Beach. It was more like proposal photography though.

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I absolutely love getting the opportunity to capture these events! The emotions and everything that is involved is what drives me. It drives me to get better and better at capturing these moments. You can't fake that emotion and we, as photographers, get the opportunity to freeze that moment in time and save it forever for everyone!

Jim asked us if we would be available to capture this moment for them and we would not turn down that opportunity. He had a plan all laid out to propose on Coronado Beach. He had Isa's daughters and his sister come out early to set up a nice setting for them to come upon. Jim then gave Isa a massage and when it was all down he dropped down to one knee.

As this was happening, I was in the dunes hiding in a tiny bush while my little brother was near by sitting in some chairs with a camera that was on a tripod that was faced toward them hidden in between some chairs and was recording all the action.

Here are some of the great images of the proposal and the moments after: 

The beach was pretty empty and for some reason there was a couple of beach chairs near them with a camera on a tripod. We did our best to not give anything away, but there was no place to hide on a beach and still get images and video. :) 

Here is the video that we put together. I freaking love these guys!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aFb7900D2k

San Diego Engagement Photography: Be Still Photography | Ernie Padaon San Diego Engagement Videography: Be Still Photography | Ernie Padaon | Jason Padaon

San Diego Engagement Photography | Joe + Andrea | Montgomery Field

San Diego engagement photography with Joe and Andrea at Montgomery Field. We were able to step on the air field with these two to take some amazing photos.

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We had a fun engagement session for Joe and Andrea at Montgomery Field. Joe flies a plane and we had access to the field and had an awesome time taking some amazing photos with them. This was definitely a unique opportunity to hold a portrait session with them on the air field.

The skies were perfect for their day and the photos from their session are epic! I don't know how many times we will get the opportunity to shoot at a location like that, but we will always be able to create some magic when we do, especially when we have people like Joe and Andrea to work with. They were so relaxed with the cameras on them and they were a great couple to work with.

We look forward to their wedding later in the year when they get married at the Aerospace Museum. It sounds like another opportunity to make some magic happen.

Engagement Photographers: Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon | Be Still Photography Location: Montgomery Field | San Diego, CA

Check out more of their photos from the shoot here:

One of our friends is getting into calligraphy for weddings and we wanted to use her sign in some of our photos to share her great work.

Los Angeles Engagement Session | Lupe + Ray

Los Angeles Engagement session with Lupe and Ray. We went to the Disney Orchestra Hall, Vista Hermosa Park and walked around other places in LA. 

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This was our first time working through downtown Los Angeles for an engagement shoot and we were discovering a number of different areas to shoot. It is an awesome area to pick up some amazing images.

We started out at Vista Hermosa Park and the shot that everyone takes at the bench out there was not available for the day, so we had to make the best out of the situation that we could do. We then worked our way to Walt Disney Orchestra Hall and we could have spent our whole day around that area, but there were a few photographers running engagement sessions around there also. It is a very popular location. We then worked our way to the water district, but unfortunately the fountains were not on. The light was amazing though and we worked with what we had.

Lupe and Ray were an amazing couple to hang out with during the day. You could see how much joy they have with each other. We are looking forward to their wedding later in the year. They are going to be a fun couple to work with.

Photographers: Be Still Photography | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon Location: Downtown Los Angeles

Tyler + Spencer Engagement Session | Balboa Park

Engagement Photographers: Be Still Photography | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon

We had an amazing time with Tyler and Spencer during their engagement session. We met up at Balboa Park on a Saturday and it was packed, but we were able to find a few different areas to get away from some people. We started out the session with a little dancing to a two-man band. We then worked our way around Balboa Park to get some phenomenal photos with these two.

Our favorite is when we climbed up the side of the building to get up to a window. The pictures seem like they were taken so high, but they were probably 7 feet off the ground. We have to give props to Tyler for climbing up there. Since he was up there we had to boost Spencer up there with him to create that magic.

Check out our photos from the day.

Rancho Las Lomas Engagement Session | Chris + Cheryl

Rancho Las Lomas Engagement Photography session with Cheryl and Chris at Rancho Las Lomas Photographers: Be Still Photography | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon Location: Rancho Las Lomas | Silverado, CA

What an amazing engagement session we had with Cheryl and Chris at Rancho Las Lomas. The location was amazing and provided an amazing backdrop to this beautiful couple. Both Chris and Cheryl were great during the day.

These two were a blast to hang out with during the day. They were playful during the shoot and also had some very romantic photos.

Rancho Las Lomas was a beautiful location. The atmosphere was great and the staff was friendly. They even let us take some photos behind the bar. We were just going to grab some of their Red Head brew, but ended up getting some great photos back there as well.

To start out the session, we had a couple of brews at the bar to loosen everyone up and to get to know each other a little better. It got some of the nerves of taking photos out of the way.

Chris and Cheryl met at a dog park where they both were taking their dogs out to get some time outside. They never knew that they would be doing more dog dates in the future.

Engagement Session Photographers: Be Still Photog | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon Engagement Session Venue: Rancho Las Lomas

Chris + Cheryl | Rancho Las Lomas Engagement Photos

Rancho Las Lomas Engagement Photos

Photographers: Be Still Photography | Ernie Padaon | Fiona Padaon Location: Rancho Las Lomas | Silverado, CA

We got the opportunity to take photos at the beautiful Rancho Las Lomas over the weekend and had a great time with these two. They were fun to hang out with and we enjoyed some delicious brews at the winery.

Here are some shots straight out of the camera before we get some editing done on them. We are excited to go through this group of photos.

Engagement Photos | Bantiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad, CA | Patrick + Natalie

Photographers: Be Still Phtoog | Ernie Padaon + Fiona Padaon Location: Bantiquitos Lagoon, Carlbad, CA

What an awesome engagement session. We were able to work with a Rolls Royce during the shoot. The couple won the right to use the car during their engagement session at a bridal show that they attented. It was great to work with the beautiful car with the beautiful couple on the shoot.

We look forward to this wedding in February. They are a great couple.

Proposal Shoot | Balboa Park | Sunset Cliffs | Jimmy + Dulce

Photographers: Be Still Photography (Ernie Padaon + Fiona Padaon) Location: Balboa Park | Sunset Cliffs | San Diego, CA

So... here was the plan. This whole shoot was supposed to be a family/couple style portraiture deal with the dog. It all took place in Balboa Park and we were going to end the day at Sunset Cliffs. At Sunset Cliffs, Jimmy was going to get down on one knee and ask Dulce to marry him.

Dulce and Jimmy have this joke about tying his shoe and proposing. It was going to be great!!!

When we got to Sunset Beach, I was supposed to tell Jimmy that his shoe was untied and he would drop to one knee to tie his show. He then responds "it is not untied" and I go right back to say "just kidding!"

Jimmy then would look to Dulce and say, "since I am down here...."

Check out the photos from the day.

Engagement Session at Old Poway Park | Grit + Phil

Photographers: Be Still Photography (Ernie Padaon and Fiona Padaon) Location: Old Poway Park, San Diego, CA

We did this engagement session with Grit and Phil in Old Poway Park. The location makes for some amazing photos and these two were a blast to work with. They filled the day with laughs! Can't wait till their wedding day, it is going to be amazing!

Engagement Session in La Jolla | Carlo + Kaeli

Photographers: Be Still Photography (Ernie Padaon and Fiona Padaon) Location: La Jolla Shores

We shot this engagement session a few months ago and wanted to re-edit them with the new touch that we had been putting on them. This session with Carlo and Kaeli was awesome in La Jolla. We had a blast with them and the photos turned out great.

Here is some of the captures from the day.

Engagement Session in La Jolla | Kaeli + Carlo

Fiona and I went out to run an engagement session in La Jolla. We started out the day at the Salk Institute, trying to sneak a couple of shots around the facility. It didn't really end up working out for us though as the security came up to us as soon as we were setting up the first shot.

It could have been an awesome shot, but we could not make it happen. If anyone is trying to get an engagement session out there, keep the camera hidden until you are ready to take that shot. You might have to get out of manual mode to sneak the shots out.

Instead, we went out to the glider ports to get some fabulous shots overlooking La Jolla.

Our couple was a blast to hang out with during the day. They had the best attitudes and made our day easy.

Fiona and I worked them through a few poses all the way around. We turned out with some gems because of how great the two worked in front of the cam. They seemed super comfortable and enjoyed their day.

We ended the day as the sun was setting down by Scripps at the pier. and that is where we got that photo at the top of this post.  We just let the two play around at the beach and just candidly kept catching moments.

These two were amazing and have a great future ahead of them.