cooks meadow yosemite falls engagement and surprise proposal photography
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Yosemite Proposal | Surprise Proposal Photographer

Filed in Couples, Yosemite — August 9, 2023

Surprise proposals are one of my favorite types of photo-sessions to be a part of. Being able to witness and capture such a joyous and romantic event is truly exciting. And recently, I had the incredible opportunity to be part of a particularly special surprise proposal that took place in Yosemite!

yosemite proposal at tunnel view - the moment before he proposed to her

A Picture-Perfect Yosemite Proposal

How It All Began

When Graham first reached out to me months in advance, I knew right away he wanted to make this proposal something truly special. As a Yosemite proposal photographer, I see a lot of guys trying to pull off the perfect surprise, and planning ahead makes all the difference. Graham wasn’t just thinking about the proposal itself; he was thinking about how to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment so he and Marissa could relive it forever. That level of thoughtfulness is what makes a proposal unforgettable.

Where We Went in Yosemite

We kicked things off at Cathedral Beach, one of my favorite spots in the valley. The Merced River was calm, reflecting the towering granite cliffs like something straight out of a dream. As we wandered along the shoreline, we stumbled across a field of wild lupine—vibrant purple and blue flowers adding a magical pop of color to the scenery. Naturally, we had to stop for some photos because, well… how could we not?

Next, we made our way to the Yosemite Chapel, a charming little A-frame tucked in the valley, where Graham parked and we took a stroll through Cook’s Meadow. This spot is absolutely unreal. With golden grasses stretching endlessly toward the base of Yosemite Falls, it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. We even stopped at Berg Bridge, letting the scenery do what it does best—make every moment feel effortlessly romantic.

But the real magic was still to come.

Where the Real Magic Happened

As the sun dipped lower, we headed up to Tunnel View, arguably the most jaw-dropping panorama in the entire park. You’ve seen the view—it’s the classic postcard shot of Yosemite Valley with El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall all in one frame. It’s the kind of place where time seems to slow down, which made it the perfect setting for what was about to happen.

With the mountains as their witness, Graham took a deep breath, got down on one knee, and asked Marissa to spend forever with him. The look of pure joy and surprise on her face was absolutely priceless. My 10-year-old daughter even tagged along to capture some video so they could relive the moment over and over again—because trust me, it’s a moment worth reliving.

As a Yosemite proposal photographer, there’s nothing better than witnessing two people share such a raw, emotional, and beautiful moment in one of the most breathtaking places on earth. Every proposal I capture reminds me just how powerful these moments really are.


Planning Your Own Yosemite Proposal? Here’s How I Can Help

If you’re thinking about proposing in Yosemite, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. As a Yosemite proposal photographer, I help guys just like you pull off the perfect surprise without the stress. Here’s what you’ll get when you book with me:

  • A 50-Page Yosemite Location Guide to help you find the perfect spot based on what you want—epic views, privacy, or a mix of both.
  • A Planning Consult where we go over timing, logistics, and how to make sure your proposal goes off without a hitch.
  • A What to Wear Guide so you can feel confident and look great in your photos.
  • A Surprise Strategy to help you pull it off flawlessly, whether that means setting up a fake photoshoot or coming up with the perfect distraction.

If you’re ready to create a once-in-a-lifetime moment in Yosemite, let’s start planning.

Contact Me to inquire and let’s make it happen!


Helpful Links for Planning Your Yosemite Proposal Photography

My Favorite Yosemite Resort

Important Yosemite Alerts and Information

Yosemite Trip Inspiration from Yosemite.com

Plan your Trip – The Best Town to Visit near Yosemite

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