David's proposal at The Pergola in Hampstead Heath -

“Wowowowow!! Claire these are incredible! We are so so grateful. Thank you so much! We could not be happier with our choice of engagement shoot photographer! Claire was lovely, kind, and managed to get our whole album of edited photos sent across on the same day! We would not hesitate in recommending Claire as a photographer to any of our friends or family – we couldn’t have asked for an easier experience with a warmer person who made us feel at ease, despite the emotion of the moment! Thank you once again Claire”

A secret proposal

David first contacted me via Instagram when he saw a couples’ photoshoot that I had previously done at the Pergola in Hampstead Heath. He explained that he was planning on proposing to his girlfriend, Arielle, and would I come along and photograph it secretly. Ermmmm….yes please!!! It really is such a gorgeous spot for him to choose. Not only did it have sentimental meaning to them but when you’re there it doesn’t feel like you’re in London at all. The world just kind of melts away as it’s so secluded.

All of the planning!

David and I had multiple emails and phone calls to arrange all of the final details of the morning including the spot that he planned to proposed on the pergola. We also had to plan for the weather forecast that was showing nothing but rain! I gave him loads of tips ahead of the morning about best positioning for photographs etc, and he absolutely nailed it!

The proposal

When I saw them arrive at the Pergola my heartrate instantly shot up, this was it! THE moment! Luckily the weather had put people off visiting and we were there early in the morning so we had the place to ourselves. It was absolutely perfect, despite the rain! I followed from a far pretending to photograph plants and things (?!) until the moment arrived. David put down the umbrella, took Arielle by the hand and got down on one knee. It was seamless! You could tell by her reaction that she wasn’t expecting it at all, and she said the biggest heartfelt YES! Being able to document moments like this really is such a privilege. I sometimes have to pinch myself that this is my job!

Documenting the moment

I had told David ahead of time that I would wait for them to come to me after he proposed, I didn’t want to interrupt this special moment. They will only get it once. Once they were ready, they headed over and I got to be the first person to say congratulations, and was the only person in the world to know that they had just got engaged! Together we then spent a bit of time, in the rain, on the pergola taking some couples shots. Arielle was absolutely incredible to say that she didn’t know any of this was planned, you could see that she was just so happy and proudly showed off her ring in the photographs.

Are you planning a proposal and would like it captured? I now have the bug for it so would absolutely love to be there to capture it for you! Get in touch and lets start plotting!