Kansas City offers plenty of scenic spots for a proposal, and I recently had the chance to capture two unique surprise engagements.

A “Photo Shoot” with a Surprise

Jackson wanted his proposal to Regan to be something she’d never see coming. Since I had photographed her sister Mallory’s wedding in 2022, he knew she’d be excited to work with me again. To keep things under wraps, he planned a photo session under the pretense of updating pictures for their new home.

We went through the session as planned, taking a mix of candid and posed shots. As we neared the end, I set up what I told Regan was an “artsy” shot, instructing her to face away from Jackson before turning around and running toward him. When she turned, he was on one knee with a ring in hand. The moment was raw and genuine, and capturing her reaction was an absolute privilege.

Jackson’s second surprise was having both of their parents come and be the first to celebrate the proposal with them. His final surprise was an engagement party in their new home with their close friends and family.

Sneaky Sneaky Photographer

The second proposal took place at the iconic JC Nichols Fountain. Unlike Jackson’s session, this one was completely unexpected for the bride-to-be—she had no idea I was there, blending into the crowd.

After dinner, the couple took a leisurely walk around the fountain. I kept a low profile, camera in hand, waiting for the moment. As they stopped near the water, he knelt down and proposed. Her reaction was a mix of shock and excitement as she realized what was happening. With the fountain in the background, the scene was both intimate and beautiful.

Both of these Kansas City proposals were a reminder of why I love capturing these moments. Whether it’s a carefully orchestrated surprise or an organic, unplanned reveal, documenting genuine emotions is always special. If you’re planning a proposal and want to make sure the moment is captured perfectly, I’d love to help!