Planning A Secret Proposal on Studland Beach
This is the story of Kat and Ant’s wonderful secret Studland Beach proposal photographs. It all started about a month ago. Ant got in touch about our proposal photoshoot services. He had read our article “What is a Proposal Photo Shoot and Why do You Need Proposal Photographs?” and thought the idea was perfect for him and his partner.
Getting to know Ant during the planning stages of the shoot was a pleasure. He (like his partner Kat) is so very full of love and fun – a cracking combination. After a little discussion, we decided that Studland Beach would be the perfect place for a proposal. They both love the beach and spend lots of time there together. However, Ant and Kat had been talking about getting married for some time now. So she may be expecting a proposal on the horizon. Ant and I would have to do our best to throw her off the trail and maintain the element of surprise.
Planning the Perfect Proposal: Setting the Scene at Studland Beach
Ant and I met one afternoon down on Studland beach, to any observer we would have looked like a couple of friends taking a stroll along the shores. In fact we were planning and scheming, shoring up the little details. Where was the best place for the Studland Beach proposal photographs? We wanted some shelter nearby in case of rain, with Old Harry Rocks in the background and a sandy beach to propose on. All of this needed to be done looking out to sea. As that would be where – fingers crossed the sun would be rising from. Ant had even gone as far as to book the wonderful wood-fired beach sauna to use post-proposal.
A Near Miss: Keeping the Surprise Alive at the Wedding Fair
Then a huge spanner was almost thrown into the workings. I was busy enjoying a wedding fair at Highcliffe Castle wedding venue Talking to couples who had booked the venue for their big day. When a couple approached me talking about their forthcoming wedding at Corfe Castle. I started merrily chatting away (as I do) about their wedding plans and our photography services. I suddenly realised that this particular lady’s partner was in fact Ant! Which would of course make her Kat. As I was putting two and two together I had to physically stop myself from using his name. I hoped that outwardly I hadn’t given the game away. As inwardly I think my brain stalled, reversed, and then jump-started again! As the couple left the castle I made a mental note for myself. I would now need a cunning disguise for the proposal shoot.
Capturing the Magic: Proposal Photography By one thousand words
Fast forward six days and Murray and I are arriving at Studland beach. In the dark and cold wee hours of the morning, with excited anticipation, we strolled along the beach. We opened a hot thermos of coffee as we set the cameras up for the Studland Beach proposal photographs.
As we had taken into account large amounts of time for being sleepy in the morning we were quite early. This was pretty fortunate as so too were our lovely couple. The excitement had obviously got the better of Ant. The happy couple had appeared hand in hand on the beach, with barely any light in the sky. Now the forecast for this morning had not been good. It wasn’t so much a case of whether or not we would get a spectacular sunset. More a case of whether or not we would get rained on! But, with the Sauna booked and a lack of other opportunities, this was to be the day no matter what.
Pre-dawn Excitement: Capturing Studland Beach Proposal Photographs on Camera
Very slowly he edged back away from her as if to not disturb her focus on the horizon and lowered himself to one knee. Not only did Kat’s shocked reaction look amazing, but her cries echoed along the shoreline! Murray shot the scene with a wide lens, incorporating Old Harry’s rocks and the beach into the image. Meanwhile, I sniped the couple from a sand dune with a longer lens. Focusing on facial expressions and body language, getting as near as I could get without being noticed.
Laughter, Tears, and Haribo Rings: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment
For full comedy effect Ant had covered the diamond engagement ring with it’s Haribo counterpart. So we weren’t sure which Kat was most excited about! Excited noises, hugs, and kisses followed what we presumed must have been a resounding yes. We let the happy couple have a few moments together before we introduced ourselves.
With my cunning buff disguise removed Kat immediately recognised me and we joked about our previous encounter. As we walked along the beach we all chatted about their exciting plans for their big day together. It was immediately obvious that Kat shared Ant’s zany sense of humour and bouncy energy levels. They really are the perfect match.
Post Proposal – A Newly Engaged Couple Photo Shoot On Studland Beach
It turned out that we really didn’t need to work a camera into the scene gently. Both Kat and Ant were naturals in front of the lens. With very basic direction we were able to capture the energy and emotion of the guys together after their Studland Beach proposal photographs.
Engaged Couple Photos In The Sand Dunes
Studland Beach Wood Fired Sauna & A Splash In The Sea
The wood axe caught Kat’s eye, someone suggested it would be fun to have a picture of her cutting Ant’s head off, and much hilarity ensued. This was not something we had worked into our plan for these Studland Beach proposal photographs!
Beach Sauna Photographs
Now stripped off the newly engaged couple warmed their cockles in the sauna. From further down the beach I could hear their laughter echoing about. At some point they could no longer bear the heat. Looking considerably redder than earlier they exited the sauna. It was then that I think Ant dragged Kat into the sea and started splashing her with cold water. For a moment I thought this might be the shortest engagement ever! But then Kat smiled and gave back as good as she was getting.
As you can tell from the photographs, we loved making Ant and Kat’s secret Studland Beach proposal photographs. They are such a fun-loving, wonderful couple. We can’t wait to see how their big wedding day in Corfe Castle evolves.
