Photographing A Surprise Proposal at Filoli Historic House and Garden from an East Bay Area Proposal Photographer
Filoli Historic House and Garden has been a proposal location on my photography bucket list for a while now. So when Luis reached out about photographing his proposal to Laura, I was very excited to finally have the chance to capture one there. If you’re looking for a beautiful Bay Area spot that offers nature, cultivated garden, a beautiful mansion, privacy and yet also romance, Filoli is the place for your proposal, I promise.
Luis knew he wanted the proposal to be thoughtful and well planned, but he wasn't completely sure where on the property he wanted to pop the question. After two planning calls and some emails back and forth, we came up with a plan that would give him the privacy he wanted while also giving me the perfect opportunity to photograph everything without Laura knowing I was there for them.
Planning a Surprise Proposal at Filoli
The plan was for the proposal to happen at 10:30 in the morning in the Walled Garden, on one of the tiers overlooking the gardens. Luis loved the vantage point and the fact that the area offered a little more privacy, with less likelihood of people being right next to where he proposed.
We also planned for Luis and Laura to spend about half an hour walking around Filoli before the proposal. This served two purposes: it gave them time to enjoy the property and check out the area, and it gave me time to get into position without making anything suspicious.
My job was to look like I had absolutely nothing to do with them. 😂
I walked around Filoli pretending to be a hobbyist enjoying the gardens, while my cameras were waiting for me to make my move. Once I knew Luis and Laura were probably pretty close to the proposal location, I got my gear ready away from them and then casually made my way back toward the Walled Garden.
How I Secretly Photograph a Proposal
For proposals, I want to capture the reactions and emotion without making the couple feel like they have a photographer standing right in front of them. For this proposal, I was able to stay quite a distance away and use two Canon R6 Mark II bodies.
One had my 70-200mm lens, which allowed me to capture close-up reactions from farther away. The other had my 28-70mm f/2, which gives me a little more flexibility to photograph the surroundings and create those creamy-background portraits I love.
I started at a bit of an angle as I was waiting until I knew the moment was about to start, so I caught a pre-proposal photo. I casually moved around and partially hid myself until I saw Luis holding Laura's hands and standing in the center of one of the tiers. Then I moved to a straight-on angle where I could clearly see Luis and Laura without being in their space.
That was my signal. He talked to her for a moment, and then he got down on one knee.
Laura put her hands over her face in surprise and joy, and I was able to capture that exact reaction. Those are the moments I love most about photographing proposals. You can plan the location, timing, lighting and logistics, but you can't manufacture someone's reaction to the person they love asking them to spend forever together.
Afterward, I gave them some space to talk and enjoy the moment together before moving around and making myself seen. At one point, I hid by a tree and photographed them through the branches for a more unique perspective.
Eventually, Luis directed Laura to look over at me, which was my cue that it was finally time to stop pretending to be a random visitor and introduce myself. 😂
From Surprise Proposal to Filoli Engagement Session
Once the secret was out, we had a full hour for their engagement session around Filoli.
And if you've been to Filoli, you know that an hour can go surprisingly quickly because there is SO much to photograph. Honestly I could spend sooo much longer there and not get to everything.
We explored the Walled Garden, Sunken Garden, the pool, areas near the top of the property, and both the front and back of the mansion. Having an hour together gave us enough time to get a really good variety of images without spending the entire session rushing from one location to another.
Luis wanted some more traditional, posed portraits, while Laura especially loved some of the playful running photos. So we mixed the two styles throughout the session and the gallery reflected.
That combination felt very true to them. They were such a genuinely sweet couple, and I loved being able to photograph both the more intentional portraits and the fun, natural moments in between.
One of my favorite spots ended up being underneath a brick archway. The photos there felt intimate and natural, and honestly just felt very them. I also loved some of the photos where they were standing up on one of the brick structures above me. They gave me a little bit of a romantic, storybook feeling that reminded me of the Love Story era of Taylor Swift (yes I am a Swiftie 100%).
Why I Love Filoli for Proposals and Engagement Photos
Filoli is such a beautiful option for a proposal or engagement session in the Bay Area.
For starters, the gardens are incredibly well maintained and there is almost always something blooming. Depending on the time of year, the gardens have a completely different feel, but spring, summer and late fall are some of my favorite times to photograph there.
I also love that there is plenty of beautiful greenery and grass throughout the property. That's something that can be harder to find in the Bay Area, especially during the warmer months when so much of our grass turns brown.
Then, of course, there is the mansion.
The front and back of the mansion provide a completely different look from the gardens and can give your engagement photos a more editorial, elegant feel. If you love the idea of having both beautiful gardens and an historic mansion as the backdrop for your engagement photos, Filoli gives you a lot of variety in one location.
The staff are also incredibly kind, and parking is very easy, which is always a bonus when you're planning something as important as a surprise proposal. It makes it easier both for my clients and for me!
Tips for Planning a Filoli Proposal
If you're considering proposing at Filoli, one of my biggest recommendations is to plan your photography around the opening or closing slot whenever possible.
Filoli can get busy, especially during the spring and summer, so choosing a quieter time can make a huge difference if you're hoping for a more intimate proposal and cleaner backgrounds in your photos.
You'll also need to purchase admission to enter the property, and ticket prices can vary throughout the year. As a Filoli member, I can also help with the logistics surrounding my admission (and yours) when I'm photographing a session there.
Filoli does have rules around photography, so it's important to be respectful of the areas where photography/walking is permitted and to follow the property's current guidelines. Wedding photography is not permitted without an additional permit, but other types of photography, including engagement and proposal photography, are possible when following the property's rules.
And this is another reason why I recommend working with a photographer who already knows the property.
I've photographed multiple sessions at Filoli, so I know how to use our time efficiently and which areas are worth prioritizing depending on the amount of coverage you book. I also have opinions on which areas tend to be more private and which spots photograph especially well for a surprise proposal.
Why Hire a Photographer to Plan Your Filoli Proposal?
A surprise proposal has a lot of moving parts.
You have to think about the location, timing, where your photographer will stand, how you're going to get your partner to the right place without making them suspicious, what happens if the plan changes, and how you're going to make sure your photographer actually captures the reaction.
That's where I come in.
When you hire me to photograph your proposal, you're not just getting someone to show up with a camera. I'm happy to help you think through the logistics and come up with a plan that feels natural for you and your partner.
And please, reach out early. The more time we have to plan, the more comfortable you'll feel going into the day, and the more we can think through all of those little details that make a surprise proposal work.
You can come to me with a specific plan, a general idea of the kind of location you want, or even just a vibe you're going for. We can figure out the rest together.
Photographing Luis and Laura's Filoli Proposal
Photographing Luis and Laura's proposal was such a special experience because they were genuinely kind, funny and completely in love. There is definitely some pressure that comes with photographing a proposal because there is no second chance to capture that first reaction, and I take that responsibility very seriously.
But I also absolutely love it.
I love the excitement, the nerves, the anticipation and, most of all, the love. Getting to be there for the moment a couple officially begins their engagement is something I never take for granted.
As cheesy as it sounds, I really do feel honored to be a tiny part of the beginning of someone's forever.
And getting to finally photograph a proposal at Filoli? That made this one even more special.
Planning Your Own Filoli Proposal?
If you're dreaming of a Filoli Historic House and Garden proposal, I'd love to help you plan it from start to finish.
I primarily photograph proposals and engagement sessions throughout the East Bay, including Livermore and Pleasanton, but I'm always happy to travel throughout the Bay Area.
You can inquire with me here and we can chat about your plans, your vision and all the sneaky details that go into pulling off the perfect surprise.
And if you're currently in the proposal-planning stage, make sure to follow me on Instagram, @brynpower.photography. I share behind-the-scenes footage from proposals there, which can be helpful when you're trying to figure out how a photographer can actually capture a proposal without your partner knowing. You may even get to hear some of my very nervous breathing while I'm hiding and waiting for the big moment. 😂 Here’s a video from this actual proposal!!
