Surprise Proposal Preparation

Items to Avoid:

Chewing gum
Bulky items in pockets (wallet, cell phone, keys etc.)
Tanning/Sun 3-7 days before your proposal.
Tan lines that will be evident. (Shoulders, sunglass lines, etc.)
Dry skin and chapped lips
Avoid wearing shorts as well as avoid wearing tank/tube tops (The more covered the skin, the better the focus will be on the couples faces in the portrait. Exposed skin deters away from the face. The main focal point of portraits are the peoples faces).
Steer clear of linen apparel, as it tends to crease and wrinkle easily
Avoid wearing pastel colors (especially pink/orange) as well as neon colors. They do not photograph well.
Avoid wearing white tennis shoes.

General Suggestions:

Pick simple, classic styles that won’t look dated in a few years. This applies to clothing, hair-styles and jewelry. Avoid large branding on clothing. Small brands such as the Ralph Lauren Pony, Lacoste Alligator etc. are acceptable.
Trimmed ear and nose hair for men. Men, also pay attention to your eyebrows and if they need to be trimmed.
Clean shoes, new socks and/or stockings free of runs.
Men, cut your hair 2-5 days before your proposal date. Cut to the length you want it to be in the photos. Neckline should be neatly shaped and clean.
Teeth clean and flossed. If you want to you can whiten/bleach your teeth a couple weeks prior.
If it is going to be chilly outside bring a coat and or blanket that you can easily slip off and on.
If one of you is sick before the session I suggest re-scheduling.
Factor traffic and rush hour into your travel. Check your gas tank in advance before your commute.
Layered clothing looks aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
If the day of your session is overcast with clouds that is fine. Clouds are beneficial to photography as they diffuse and soften the sunlight.
Prior to proposing if you see her hair is hiding her face try to remember to gently swipe her hair back prior to kneeling down to propose.
Try your best to avoid carrying too many items (coat, purse etc). It is best to leave these items in the car or at least set them aside prior to proposing. This way they are not in your proposal photographs.
If the area where you plan to propose isn’t clear, take your time and wait patiently. But if the coast is clear, move a little quicker to take advantage of the moment before others arrive.
If you're worried about the ring showing in your pocket, consider purchasing a slim ring box—they're easy to find online. There are even specially designed socks made to discreetly hold these slimmer boxes. Just keep in mind that a bulky ring box in your pants pocket can be a giveaway. www.theboxsock.com if you’re curious.

Clothing Suggestions:

The most important part of a portrait are the people. Clothing is secondary and should accentuate the person, not overpower.

Opt for darker, solid colors as they are most flattering. Darker clothing has a slimming effect. Ensure your outfit is well put-together from head to toe for a polished and refined look.

Eye glasses may be worn. Non-reflective lenses are a big help and highly recommended.

Winter Season Suggestions:

Avoid wearing the color white at all costs. Stick with darker colors. Lighter colors will not create contrast between you and the snow thus making you blend in.
Avoid wearing coats/jackets with collars that ride high up end up covering half of your face.
If you choose a high altitude mountain location for your winter photos dress very warm and wear proper footwear for walking through snow.

Camera moiré is an optical phenomenon that occurs when a camera's sensor interacts with repeating patterns or fine details in a scene. It manifests as unwanted and visible interference patterns that create a shimmering or wavy effect, distorting the image's clarity and sharpness. Moiré patterns are often seen when photographing subjects with intricate textures, such as fabric patterns or certain types of screens.

The moiré effect is a result of the relationship between the sensor's pixel array and the repetitive pattern or frequency of the subject being captured. When these patterns align or overlap with the sensor's pixel pattern, interference occurs, leading to the moiré pattern.

Surprise Proposal Preparation

Items to Avoid:

Chewing gum

Bulky items in pockets (wallet, cell phone, keys etc.)

Tanning/Sun 3-7 days before your proposal.

Tan lines that will be evident. (Shoulders, sunglass lines, etc.)

Dry skin and chapped lips

Avoid wearing shorts as well as avoid wearing tank/tube tops (The more covered the skin, the better the focus will be on the couples faces in the portrait. Exposed skin deters away from the face. The main focal point of portraits are the peoples faces).

Steer clear of linen apparel, as it tends to crease and wrinkle easily

Avoid wearing pastel colors (especially pink/orange) as well as neon colors. They do not photograph well.

Avoid wearing white tennis shoes.

General Suggestions:

Pick simple, classic styles that won’t look dated in a few years. This applies to clothing, hair-styles and jewelry. Avoid large branding on clothing. Small brands such as the Ralph Lauren Pony, Lacoste Alligator etc. are acceptable.

Trimmed ear and nose hair for men. Men, also pay attention to your eyebrows and if they need to be trimmed.

Clean shoes, new socks and/or stockings free of runs.

Men, cut your hair 2-5 days before your proposal date. Cut to the length you want it to be in the photos. Neckline should be neatly shaped and clean.

Teeth clean and flossed. If you want to you can whiten/bleach your teeth a couple weeks prior.

If it is going to be chilly outside bring a coat and or blanket that you can easily slip off and on.

If one of you is sick before the session I suggest re-scheduling.

Factor traffic and rush hour into your travel. Check your gas tank in advance before your commute.

Layered clothing looks aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

If the day of your session is overcast with clouds that is fine. Clouds are beneficial to photography as they diffuse and soften the sunlight.

Prior to proposing if you see her hair is hiding her face try to remember to gently swipe her hair back prior to kneeling down to propose.

Try your best to avoid carrying too many items (coat, purse etc). It is best to leave these items in the car or at least set them aside prior to proposing. This way they are not in your proposal photographs.

If the area where you plan to propose isn’t clear, take your time and wait patiently. But if the coast is clear, move a little quicker to take advantage of the moment before others arrive.

Clothing Suggestions:

The most important part of a portrait are the people. Clothing is secondary and should accentuate the person, not overpower.

Opt for darker, solid colors as they are most flattering. Darker clothing has a slimming effect. Ensure your outfit is well put-together from head to toe for a polished and refined look.

Eye glasses may be worn. Non-reflective lenses are a big help and highly recommended.

Winter Season Suggestions:

Avoid wearing the color white at all costs. Stick with darker colors. Lighter colors will not create contrast between you and the snow thus making you blend in.

Avoid wearing coats/jackets with collars that ride high up end up covering half of your face.

If you choose a high altitude mountain location for your winter photos dress very warm and wear proper footwear for walking through snow.

The moiré effect is a result of the relationship between the sensor's pixel array and the repetitive pattern or frequency of the subject being captured. When these patterns align or overlap with the sensor's pixel pattern, interference occurs, leading to the moiré pattern.