How I capture the perfect proposal photoshoot!
Journey to the Temple
Today, I'm heading to Bongwonsa Temple, a beautiful area quite chill most of the time which will be perfect for a proposal photoshoot! But you will see some people come to the worst place possible at the worst time!
The Proposal Setup
So, how did I get here? I had the opportunity to photograph a surprise proposal organized by Ryan and myself for his future wife, Nicole. Initially, Nicole's mother, who is Korean, contacted me. She was responsible for finding a photographer in Korea who could speak English. We had a quick call to ensure we were on the same page and that I could provide the service they needed. Since I do a lot of street photography and explore Seoul extensively, I know many beautiful spots.
You can check out my website www.seoulguide.fr for a photo tour if you want to discover the best photo spots in Seoul.
After talking with Nicole's mother, we decided that a quiet, beautiful, and somewhat hidden temple in Seoul would be perfect for the proposal. That's how we settled on Bongwonsa Temple.
Arrival at the Temple
Once arrived at the temple, it was beautiful. The perfect time. There are so many green areas here I was a little bit scared because it was happening in April and the beginning of spring. Now, I need to check the best spots for taking pictures and show the exact locations on Naver and Google Maps with precise points. I advised Ryan to come to the shaded area, as it would be easier to get nice pictures.
With the stunning background behind me, I could have a very picturesque setting. I will take my camera and check the lenses to see what kind of compositions I can work with. The street has many narrow areas with interesting foregrounds and backgrounds, which can work well.
Preparation and Coordination
To organize the surprise proposal, I waited for Ryan to contact me via email after the call. I provided him with pictures and videos of the location to ensure it matched his vision. He quickly responded that it was exactly what he wanted, which made me happy.
I explained to him how everything would be organized to ensure the surprise went smoothly. I sent him screenshots and pictures of the temple to show the atmosphere and the path. My idea was to have the couple backlit with the sun coming from behind. Shooting in RAW allows me to balance the light later and create a beautiful, bright effect while keeping them properly exposed.
By the way, I can recommend you use this website to see how the shadows will affect your landscape. It’s very powerful!!
https://shademap.app/
Photo Equipments
For today's shoot, I have only digital cameras with me. My main camera is the Nikon Z6, and as a backup, I have the Nikon D750 with a 50mm lens. For the proposal, I’ll probably use an 85mm lens to achieve a blurry foreground effect. I also have a 35mm Sigma lens for more standard portraits.
Final Adjustments
I circled the exact spot on the map where I wanted Ryan to go and sent him a picture of the location. It's crucial to communicate clearly and ensure he understands every detail to avoid any stress or confusion. We also had to be flexible with the date, as the weather can be unpredictable. We booked two days before and two days after the chosen date as backups.
Ryan and Nicole were supposed to arrive from the bottom of the temple area. I planned to stand in a specific spot, ready to capture the moment when he proposed. I will also record the video using my DJI camera to give you an idea of how the pictures will look.
Video you can watch on Youtube : https://youtu.be/f6YKBZ-y5yU?si=bKAme8amwHDWEeQ0
The Big Moment
They were stuck in traffic jam, I had some time to breath before they arrive but more and more people were gathering around which was stressful to be sure to get what I had in mind. But no time to think, I can see them coming!
“Oh my god, no way. No way, are you joking, no way, no way. Oh my god, oh.”
That’s a good summary for what happened if you didn’t watch the video!
After this intense moment, it was time for them to chill for few minutes before we get back on portraits to enjoy the sun.
Reflection on the Experience
Well, that was done. It was quite stressful, to be honest, but also full of joy. It's the same with weddings. Many people ask if wedding photography is boring, calling it the industrial version of photography, but to be honest, every wedding I've shot has been a wonderful playground. I love being surrounded by people full of joy and capturing their happy moments.
That day with Ryan and Nicole was exactly that. After the proposal, we walked around the temple. I always leave room for improvisation during shoots because the light changes, and you never know if there will be events or people around. For instance, those people who showed up during the proposal—it drove me crazy because there was no one before, and suddenly, a crowd appeared just as I was about to take pictures. It's always like this in photography, trust me. But I think you can relate.
We turned around, and I focused on getting backlit pictures with the sun in the background, capturing the vibrant colors of spring. Using the 50mm and the Sigma 35mm lenses, I got some fantastic shots, and I was really happy with the results.
Wrapping Up
Of course, the next step was editing the photos. I'll show you how I edit these pictures in another video, so don't forget to subscribe. I might post a video on how to edit portraits taken in a temple with a beautiful couple in Korea.
Alright, here we are—pictures done, and I am very happy. Such a wonderful couple. I wish I had more shoots like this more often. The light was perfect, and I'm thrilled with the portraits we captured. It was a wonderful shoot in my favorite temple in Seoul. Now, it's time for editing. I hope you enjoyed the video. Thanks a lot for watching, and I'll see you around. Thanks, that was Antoine. Ciao!
