You have been planning this for weeks. You know the spot, you know the timing, you have some idea what you are going to say. The one thing you cannot do is hold a camera while you are doing it.

That is where Dani comes in. She hides in plain sight, waits for your signal, and photographs the whole thing. The walk over, the moment you ask, the reaction, and everything that happens after. Your partner has no idea anyone is there until you tell them.

Thirty five years of documentary photography means Dani knows how to stay invisible when it matters, and how to catch a moment that lasts four seconds and never happens again.

How a secret proposal shoot works

First, we plan it

A call or a few messages to work out where, when, and what your signal will be. We figure out where Dani hides, how she gets into position without being spotted, and what happens if something runs late. No detail is too small here. The planning is the reason this works.

Dani scouts the location

Before your date, Dani visits the spot at the same time of day you will be there. She checks the light, finds the angles, and works out exactly where to stand. This is included in your session, not charged as an extra. It is also the single biggest difference between proposal photos that work and proposal photos that do not.

The proposal itself

Dani is in position early, at a distance, with a long lens. To anyone walking past she looks like a photographer taking pictures of the skyline. You give the signal, and she shoots continuously through the moment and the minutes after it, which is usually where the best frames are.

Portraits once the secret is out

Most couples want a few proper photos together once your partner knows what’s going on. Fifteen or twenty minutes, no pressure, nothing stiff. Just the two of you, relaxed and celebrating the moment you’ll want to remember.

Your gallery

Edited images land in a private online gallery with your own login. Download them, print them, share them however you want. No watermarks, no per image fees.

What is included

Every proposal session includes:

A planning call to sort out timing, signals, and where Dani hides
Location scouting before the day, at the same time of day as your proposal
Discreet coverage of the proposal
Coverage of the reaction and the first few minutes afterwards
A short portrait session with the two of you once your partner knows
Full post production and editing
A private online gallery with high resolution downloads

Pricing

Proposal sessions start at $1,000.

That covers the planning, the scouting visit, the coverage on the day, all post production, and your gallery. There is no separate scouting fee and no editing fee added at the end.

The final number depends on how long you need Dani there and how far the location is from Decatur. Proposals at venues with restricted access, or spots that need more than one scouting visit, are quoted individually.

Send Dani your date and location and she will give you a firm price.

Where people propose in Atlanta

Dani works anywhere in metro Atlanta. A few spots that come up often, and what to know about each:

Piedmont Park. The skyline view from the meadow is the classic Atlanta proposal shot. Best in the hour before sunset. It is busy at weekends, which actually helps, because one more person with a camera goes completely unnoticed.

Jackson Street Bridge. The downtown skyline view. Small space and popular with photographers, so timing matters more here than anywhere else.

Atlanta Botanical Garden. Beautiful year round and good in weather that would ruin an outdoor shoot elsewhere. Gardens and formal venues often require a permit or advance permission for photography, so tell Dani early and she will check what is needed.

Decatur Square. Quieter, walkable, and easy to follow with dinner nearby. Good choice if a big public proposal is not your style.

Ponce City Market rooftop. Works well in the evening. Rooftop and indoor venues usually need permission in advance.

Stone Mountain and Sweetwater Creek. Worth the drive if you want something green with no skyline in the frame.

Proposing somewhere not on this list is completely fine. Dani scouts wherever you choose.

Questions people ask

What if my partner spots the photographer?

They almost never do. Dani works at a distance with a long lens and looks like any other person photographing the view. In a public place nobody gives a photographer a second look. On top of that, your partner is focused entirely on you in that moment.

What if they say no?

It is rare, and Dani has photographed enough proposals to handle it without making it worse. She stops shooting immediately, stays out of the way, and you will never receive the images unless you ask for them.

What happens if it rains?

Outdoor proposals get one free reschedule for weather. Dani will also have scouted a covered backup nearby during the location visit, so you have a real choice on the day rather than a scramble.

Can you photograph a proposal that is not outdoors?

Yes. At home, in a restaurant, at a venue, on a rooftop. Indoor and private locations need more planning and usually permission from the venue, so give as much notice as you can.

How far ahead should we book?

Two to three weeks is comfortable and leaves proper time to scout. Dani can sometimes move faster than that, so ask even if your date is close.

How long does it take?

The proposal itself is over in under a minute. Plan on around an hour total, which covers Dani getting into position beforehand and the portrait session afterwards.

Do you photograph proposals for LGBTQ+ couples?

Yes, and often. Dani has photographed over 1,000 weddings and events across three decades and is not going to assume anything about who is proposing to whom. Tell her the plan and she will photograph it.

When do we get the photos?

Image delivery times vary depending on the session and editing requirements. If you need your photos sooner, expedited delivery is available for an additional rush fee.

Do you work outside Atlanta?

Atlanta and Decatur are home, and Dani covers all of metro Atlanta. She also photographs in New York City and Seattle, and will travel further for the right date.

We are getting married after this. Do you shoot weddings too?

Yes, and a lot of proposal clients come back for the wedding. If that is where this is heading, mention it early, because wedding dates book well ahead. You can see Dani’s wedding work here.