Boyfriends Hiring Paparazzi for Proposals

[Bill]

The New York Times, September 20, 2007, has an article about photographers getting hired to shoot paparazzi-style for the moment of the wedding proposal. I do not know if this is old news to everybody else but I had not heard of it. Another business opportunity. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/fa...0EHLHj1enhNKVg This link should free to the public for a week, I believe.

The target market need not be limited to the prospective groom, of course. The bride-to-be, be she the asker or askee, could hire the photographer. All upcoming proposals are not such a surprise as one might think. In arranged marriages, the parents, cult leaders, or holder of the shotgun may be the one doing the hiring. Yes, prospects are everywhere. I foresee photographers renting stalls at automobile shows and hunting and fishing extravaganzas. Handing out cards at strip clubs(some patrons are bound to be single) and the pro shops at the links. A lot of marketing opportunities.

Restaurants are sometimes asked to make special arrangements for proposals. I'm sure they could be motivated to ask if the lucky guy has yet engaged the services of the Proposal Photographer. The guy may think it is just part of what you do. If no arrangements have been made, a referral to you could be offered. And vice versa.

That's right. You may be in the position of suggesting a suitably romantic site. Suitably romantic means clear sight lines, acceptable lighting, and an absence of unfortunate backgrounds. Vine-covered columns have an unfortunate resemblance to telephone poles in portraiture. Proposal parks may be the next big thing. Think Jurassic Park without the velociraptors.

Try to avoid gigs at the Golden Gate Bridge, Washington Monument, and the like. Homeland Security is not known for its romantic spirit.

Bill

[jbath]

i think i'll include this in my packages hehe

[Supermanny]

Pretty cool.

I guess you would need a super telephoto to make sure you stay out of sight. Otherwise too much risk of ruining the moment.

[zach-e2]

that's a pretty clever idea

[scottlyn]

there's an atlanta photographer that got his big break shooting a proposal. I know that I received the slideshow of it via email at least 3 times from various friends. the last time i checked his site there was national and local coverage about the proposal and his coverage of it.

i wish i knew how to offer this service it seems like it would be an awesome thing to be a part of!

[Collins]

It's definitely becoming more popular!

Carolyn, you've got to be talking about Gray proposal! LOL. I got that forwarded about 304340897 times.

I photographed a surprise proposal for a friend of mine recently. He proposed as she got off work at One Shell plaza and I had to duck behind the sign (lol). Pretty cool to be a part of such an important moment.

Also, the wedding we recently worked together with Stacy; the groom hired a photographer to capture the proposal as well.

[scottlyn]

Yep that's the one! That was an awesome proposal, and while it wasn't the photog's idea or anything, he is certainly reaping the benefits BIG TIME! I checked his the other day, just cause I was a fan even before the proposal, and the dude is now booked through for almost 2 years! He's offering seminars and all kinds of stuff! I am happy for him, but I am sure it sucks to be him

Originally Posted by Collins

It's definitely becoming more popular!

Carolyn, you've got to be talking about Gray proposal! LOL. I got that forwarded about 304340897 times.

I photographed a surprise proposal for a friend of mine recently. He proposed as she got off work at One Shell plaza and I had to duck behind the sign (lol). Pretty cool to be a part of such an important moment.

Also, the wedding we recently worked together with Stacy; the groom hired a photographer to capture the proposal as well.

[tc82742]

http://paparazzipictures.wordpress.c.../the-proposal/
a friend of mine in dallas is offering them.
i love this one he did.

[brad]

Those are great, Tasha.. thanks for sharing... and why isn't your friend on our forum? LOL

[tc82742]

i have no idea.. busy guy i guess? 3 littles ones and a full time biz keep him busy??
i know he is active at DWF though.

[erik clausen]

i am a member here! i am definitely waaaay busy, and havent had much time to post in here or in the dwf for that matter...
thanks brad!
tasha - you do too much posting on every forum known to man!

[brad]

Originally Posted by erik clausen

i am a member here! i am definitely waaaay busy, and havent had much time to post in here or in the dwf for that matter...
thanks brad!
tasha - you do too much posting on every forum known to man!

And one post from you... that's not a member, that's a lurker.

(Me, I just post way too much on a single forum... LOL)


Great to see you here... please jump in when your schedule allows. I love the work you have on your site.

[FreshPhotography]

Right as I formally kicked off my wedding business, I accidentally photographed a proposal, true papparazzi style! I was taking pictures for a friend of mine for her website, had noticed the nice looking couple on the other side of the rooftop bar at the Tremont House in Galveston, and then heard her start squealing and crying and laughing all at once -- I turned with my camera firing and caught her in mid-hug as she said yes! They were my first "not formal" clients since they paid me for the photos I captured! (I tried to offer them for free to be nice, but they insisted on buying prints!) We also did an engagement session a week later, and they are now on my website!

Who knew, I was accidentally cutting edge!

The first thing she asked when I said that I had gotten photos of the proposal was if he had planned that too!

[tc82742]

ha erik.
you know i love to hear myself talk.. LOL
i really only visit a couple of forums.. im not that bad.

[erik clausen]

another way to get some of these bookings might be to talk to jewelers in your area. perhaps put together a deal with the jeweler where if a guy buys a ring that day then they get 25% off of a proposal shoot, or something like that, i havent actually done this, and i m just brainstorming, but i thought that might work too....plus if you get the proposal, you will no doubt get the wedding!
also, you dont have to be incognito to get the shot....just set it up as a regular couples photo shoot...then you can be closer.