Pittsburgh Surprise Proposal Photographer

Hey there, lovebirds! Planning to pop the question in Pittsburgh? First of all, congrats! Proposing is one of the most nerve-wracking and exhilarating moments of your life. And as a photographer who’s captured countless proposals in the Steel City, I’m here to share some insider tips to make your special moment truly magical—and run as smoothly as possible.

1. PICK THE PERFECT SPOT

Pittsburgh is filled with dreamy backdrops for your proposal. Whether you’re drawn to the iconic cityscape view from Mount Washington, the romantic ambiance of Phipps Conservatory’s gardens, or the charming cobblestone streets of the Strip District, there’s a spot that’s just you. Think about places that hold sentimental value or align with your partner’s interests. Love sports? Heinz Field or PNC Park could be your go-to. Into nature? Mellon Park or Point State Park might be calling your name.

2. TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) is the secret sauce for jaw-dropping photos. The soft, warm light is flattering and adds a magical glow to your moment. But don’t forget to check the weather! Rain can add a romantic touch, but if that’s not your vibe, have a backup plan ready.

3. GET CREATIVE

Make it personal! Incorporate inside jokes, shared hobbies, or cherished memories into your proposal. Maybe it’s a scavenger hunt through the city, leading to the spot where you first met. Or a casual walk in the park that turns into a flash mob (if your partner loves surprises). The more it reflects your unique story, the more unforgettable it will be. (Click here to see some prop ideas for something simple to incorporate!)

4. HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER (HI, THAT’S ME!)

Let’s face it: you’ll want to relive this moment over and over. That’s where I come in. A professional photographer will not only capture the big moment but also those raw, emotional reactions that make your proposal so special. Plus, I’ll help you scout the location, plan the best angles, and communicate with you all the way up until the big moment to make sure we are both on the same page!

5. PLAN YOUR WARDROBE

Coordinate your outfits subtly. You want to look your best while staying true to your style. A little tip: avoid busy patterns and opt for solid colors that complement each other. Bonus points if your outfit matches the vibe of your proposal location (think casual chic for a park proposal or a bit dressier for a city rooftop). Click here for a blog post with some additional tips!

6. KEEP IT A SURPRISE - BUT NOT TOO MUCH

Surprises are amazing, but they’re better when they don’t stress your partner out. If you’re planning an elaborate setup, make sure they’re dressed for the occasion (without giving away the whole plan). Maybe you enlist a friend to casually suggest a "nice dinner" or a "cute photo session."

7. CELEBRATE AFTERWARDS

You did it! After the big “Yes,” keep the celebration going. Plan a surprise dinner with close family and friends or a private picnic for two. And don’t forget to share the amazing photos with everyone—they’ll want to see the magic unfold too!

READY TO CAPTURE YOUR BIG MOMENT?

If you’re planning to propose in Pittsburgh, let’s chat! Together, we’ll make sure your proposal is as unique and special as your love story. Plus, you’ll have stunning photos to treasure forever. Can’t wait to help make this moment unforgettable!

Reach out to me at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com to get the conversation started!

Amelia & Paul: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Proposal Photos

One of the best proposals I've ever gotten to photograph My little brother proposing to his now fiancé!

Paul pulled off an epic surprise proposal back in September of 2024 in Charolette, NC! I am so honored to have been able to be the one to photograph such a sweet moment for these two!

I know I'm biased... but all of the thought that went into this proposal was so incredible! Paul had Amelia's friend from Pittsburgh come into town and bring her to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Unbeknownst to Amelia, Paul was waiting in one of the areas of the garden for her! After he proposed, Amelia's mom & my mom popped out to surprise her too!

THEN Paul went a step further and made sure to bring a dress for Amelia to change into after the proposal for photos, and planned a surprise engagement party later that day with her friends to celebrate!

And yes... my mom and I drove through the hurricane weather to get there. We had quite the eventful time... but it was all worth it I am so excited for these two!!! Congratulations Paul & Amelia - love you both!

Private Pittsburgh Proposal Photos at Phipps Conservatory

I will take allllll of the @phippsevents proposals. Please & thank you!!

This beautiful surprise proposal took place yesterday afternoon! Nick successfully surprised his then girlfriend, now fiance Emma with a sunlit proposal in the Broderie Room at @phippsconservatory ! Not to mention he even got Emma's best friend Becca to come in and surprise her for the weekend Cue the happy tears!

Also, Emma is a huge fan of the Phantom's Opera, and her ring was designed to replicate the design of the ring used in the movie

A HUGE congratulations to Nick & Emma on their engagement!

Surprise Pittsburgh Proposal at Phipp's Conservatory

I hope you get a feel for how fun these two are from this blog post… this surprise Pittsburgh proposal was an absolute BLAST to photograph!

Alec had been planning to surprise his girlfriend, Sri, with a marriage proposal during their trip to Pittsburgh (where they both went to college and both had met!). He chose Phipp’s Conservatory as his venue – specifically the Broderie Room (which you can rent out!). This is one of my all time favorite locations for proposals. It’s beautiful, there’s no need to worry about the weather (since it’s indoors and covered!), it has ample natural light, it’s private… there are so many reasons to love it! In fact, this was my fifth Phipp’s proposal this year. And I have loved every single one of them!

But back to Alec & Sri! The staff at Phipp’s was so good at keeping the proposal a surprise. Alec led Sri into the Broderie Room by the hand as I peeked around the corner, waiting for Sri’s back to be towards me so I could sneak into the room. I hid behind a large well and waited for the big moment… for Alec to get on one knee! Once Sri figured out what was going on, she had the biggest smile on her face, and it never left! She was completely taken off guard, which made the moment all the more special.

After the proposal itself, Alec & Sri took a few minutes by themselves to soak in the moment! Then, we took 15 minutes to get some portraits of the two of them to commemorate the occasion.

And even though it was absolutely sweltering in that humid room, they both handled it like absolute champs… and I’m so excited about the images we got for them to cherish from this special moment!

Congratulations on your engagement, Sri & Alec! It was such a pleasure to get to capture this moment for you!

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Looking for information about how to reserve the Broderie Room for a Phipp’s Conservatory proposal? Click here for more info for how to get in contact with them!

Spring Phipp's Conservatory Proposal

There's nothing quite like a Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Broderie Room proposal!

This one took place on a very special weekend for these two, who came into Pittsburgh from out of state for the Pittsburgh Marathon!

JD planned this beautiful proposal from afar on 1) the weekend his now-fiance was running the Pittsburgh marathon, and 2) on the weekend of her birthday! Talk about having a lot to celebrate!!

JD and Isabel have been dating for almost 6 years. And let me tell you, they are the sweetest! So easy to talk to, and so much fun. We had a blast on a beautiful, sunny Pittsburgh morning at Phipps! and oh my goodness, I still can't get over how beautiful the Broderie Room looked with the bright florals. And that Isabel wore a shirt that complimented it so well, without even knowing!

Congratulations on your engagement, you two!

Amber & Ryan: Surprise Zelienople Proposal

Boy do I have a good one to share with you today! ☺️

Ryan contacted me several weeks ago and shared with me that he would be proposing to his long time girlfriend in Zelienople. As a photographer who literally lives IN Zelienople… I was absolutely stoked to get to document this moment!

Ryan shared with me that he planned to propose at his girlfriend (Amber) after a meal at her favorite restaurant, Kaufman Tavern (if you’ve never been there… it’s a must try! So delicious. The charred cauliflower appetizer is my absolute favorite!)

Together, we chose a location in Zelienople that would be photo-worthy for such an occasion. The day was set, the location was set, and everything seemed to be falling into place… except for a few surprises!

The first surprise (which won’t really be a surprise if you’re familiar with the weather here in Pittsburgh) was the weather. All week leading up to the proposal, there was a strong chance of rain (and storms) for the majority of the day. The day of the proposal, however, it was only overcast, no rain. Woo hoo!

The second surprise came from me. After cleaning out our attic the day before the proposal, I slipped down our steps and rolled my foot. Nothing was broken, but I couldn’t walk on it and couldn’t put a shoe on it (definitely a problem if you’re photographing a proposal…) There was no WAY I was going to cancel, so I did a lot of praying, and the next day, I was able to at least put some weight on my foot. I still couldn’t fit a shoe on it, however… so yes - I photographed this entire proposal with only one shoe on, hobbling around. The ground was cold and wet, but that’s nothing that a pair of fuzzy socks and a heating pad couldn’t fix after the fact!

God bless my husband, Nick, who came with me and was my human crutch.

But back to Amber and Ryan! Ryan popped the question to Amber, she said yes, and then her best friend (who had been in hiding across the street in the Walgreen’s parking lot!) came over with some very on-theme “Bride-to-be” and “Maid-of-honor” bedazzled sunglasses! We took some photos at the gazebo, then headed back to Kaufman Tavern to take some photos out front… since it is a special part of their story now!

Amber & Ryan, thank you so much for letting me be a part of such a special moment for you two! Congratulations on your engagement!

Jay & Swetha: Phipp's Conservatory Surprise Proposal

It's hard to beat a Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens proposal... especially when it's at golden hour, the proposee drove in from DC to surprise his girlfriend, and their friends & family from out of town came in to be a part of the surprise, too!

If you couldn't tell already... this was an epic proposal!

Jay contacted me a few months ago to be a part of capturing this special moment for he and his now-fiancé, Swetha! Because he's currently residing in DC, he planned this entire surprise with the help of their friends & family from afar.

When I showed up to the Broderie Room this past Saturday, I had never seen it looking so good (and I've photographed quite a few Phipp's proposals)! Jay & his brother were scattering rose petals along the ground and placing framed photos and envelopes (each containing a poem, written by Jay), marking each year they had been together (four years this summer!).

Swetha's friends played the crucial role of guiding her to the room where Jay was waiting (and of bringing some press on nails for after the proposal to make sure her hands were ring ready). After she read each poem, Jay got down on one knee, and of course... the rest is history! She said yes, and after we took a few photos of the two of them together, their immediate families and friends surprised Swetha by walking through the door. It was such a sweet moment!

It was a joy to be a part of such a sweet moment for these two... congratulations to Jay & Swetha on your engagement!

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PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Interested in having me photograph your proposal? Feel free to reach out by clicking here, or email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com. I would love to work with you!

Jake Proposes to Dana at the Point!

Secret proposals are always my favorite… and Jake and Dana’s was no different!

Jake had contacted me a few months ago inquiring about having me take some photos at Point State Park for his proposal to his then-girlfriend, Dana. The plan included Jake taking Dana to dinner in the city. After, they would walk over and he would pop the question!

Leading up to the day of the proposal, there was a threat of rain, but it seemed to subside once the actual day came. However, when we were waiting (sneakily!) at the fountain for Jake to walk Dana to our agreed upon proposal spot, we noticed some dark storm clouds starting to roll in. The sky kept getting darker and darker, and we were a little nervous, wondering if the rain would hold off for the proposal, and if we would have enough light to actually capture it.

Well… the rain did hold off, and we had just enough natural light! Jake and Dana walked across the Point State Park lawn, and as Jake went down on one knee, I pulled up my camera - and Dana started walking towards me, away from Jake! Thinking I was just a casual photographer who hopped on the moment after seeing what was happening (I think!), she said “oh, he’s just kidding!” And I replied… “I don’t think so!!! Go back!” 😂 And well, she did. And to her surprise, Jake was quite serious. And yes… she said yes!

We had a few minutes after the proposal for a few more photos before the super dark clouds rolled in and we lost the majority of our light. The winds picked up so much that they were practically blowing us over as we rain back to the parking garage (lots of camera gear + no umbrella = not a great combination for getting stuck in a rain storm!). BUT we made it, and the most important thing was that we were able to capture that sweet moment, and Jake & Dana were able to take that moment in - sans rain!

Jake & Dana, a huge congratulations to you both on your engagement! Thank you so much for the honor of being a part of such a sweet moment!

Pittsburgh Surprise Proposal Photography – Things to Consider When Planning a Proposal

One of my absolute FAVORITE things to photograph are proposals! And when it comes to proposing, most people haven’t done it before. This blog post is meant to accomplish two things: one, to walk through the things that people might not think about considering when it comes to planning a proposal. And two, if you plan on having professional photos taken of your surprise proposal, how to set yourself up to get the best photos possible!

 1. Consider Having a Weather Rain Plan

If you’re from Pittsburgh or have lived here for any length of time, you know how crucial this point is! When planning a proposal in Pittsburgh, it is always important to consider the weather, and to consider having a backup rain plan.

If you’re planning an outdoor proposal, consider having a backup location that is shielded from the rain. This could be somewhere indoors, or an outdoor location that simply has an overhang or something blocking the rain. If you do plan to have an indoor backup location, and you plan to have a professional photographer there, consider talking to them about a location that still has good natural light. While photographers can bring artificial, off camera light to light a location, you will most likely want to keep the element of surprise, and will not want flashes firing, alerting your fiancé-to-be of what’s about to take place.

 There are lots of options to consider that would make excellent backup plans. For example:

• Phipps Conservatory & Botanic Gardens: Did you know that you can rent a private room at Phipps for proposals? It’s true! And what’s great about Phipps is that you are shielded from the rain – and any other type of inclement weather - and there is great natural light. If you don’t want to have to worry about any sort of inclement weather right off the bat, this might be a great route to go in the first place! If you’re interested in renting a room at Phipps for a proposal, click here. And you can click here to view a proposal I’ve photographed at Phipps!

• Mellon Institute: You may have seen the huge Mellon Institute columns in Oakland in a friend’s wedding photos or while driving by – but this spot makes for an excellent backup rain location! The architecture is beautiful and this location has a large area (in the columns!) that is shielded from rain. It’s also free to shoot there!

• The Pennsylvanian Rotunda: Have you seen this place before?! There are few spots more beautiful in Pittsburgh than the rotunda at the Pennsylvanian! This train station turned event space & luxury apartment complex is what photo dreams are made of. You do have to pay to take professional photos in this space - but it meets all of the qualifications of a good rain spot! Covered, access to natural light, and oh-so beautiful. Click here if you’d like to contact them to inquire!

• Coffee shops, bakeries, & restaurants: Many coffee shops and restaurants have large windows that give lots of natural light! If you plan on having the proposal photographed, you may just want to check with the coffee shop/bakery/restaurant ahead of time to make sure they’re okay with a photographer hanging around for a little while!

 2. Time of Day & Location Light

When it comes to photos, light is such an important factor. In fact, I would go as far as to say that good or bad light can make or break a photo! Of course, part of the fun of a proposal is that it’s candid - meaning that it’s usually unstaged and happens on the spot! But there are some things you can take into consideration if you want to have a more “picturesque” proposal!

The best time of day for natural light photography across the board (most of the time!) is 2 hours after sunrise, and 2 hours prior to sunset. Planning a proposal within one of those two time frames might help you have better overall light for photos!

Something else to talk about with your proposal photographer is how the light will look at the time of day at the particular location you chose. If you choose Point State Park fountain in Pittsburgh for your proposal spot, for example, you have a HUGE space to work with with so many different angles and spots to choose from. Your photographer can help give you some suggestions on what side of the fountain might have the best light at the time of day you’ll be proposing, as well as what angle of the fountain would make the best backdrop.

 3. Positioning on one knee

We’ve talked about rain plans, time of day, location, and now we’re here… the big moment - the moment you get down on one knee. What you’ll want to make absolutely sure of is that your photographer knows where you’ll be getting down on one knee so that they can know where to position themselves. If your photographer is in the wrong spot when you take a knee, they might miss the emotion of that special moment – which would totally be the worst! It’s so important to communicate ahead of time and have a plan that you can both be confident in, so you know without a shadow of a doubt that that moment (and the emotions that go along with it!) will be captured from the correct angle!

 4. Knowing Who You Two Are!

Chances are, if I’m photographing a surprise proposal, I’ve never actually met the couple I’m photographing - and I’m sure that’s true for many other proposal photographers. Because of that, I personally always ask for a few photos of my couple so I can pick them out of a crowd (if need be!). As well as a text to let me know that they are on their way to our meeting spot, which leads me to my last point…

 5. Communication

Communication is KEY! If you hire a photographer for your proposal, communicating in advance about where the proposal will be happening, as well as where you’ll actually be proposing, is crucial to the outcome of the images. In addition, it can be helpful to touch base with your photographer when you’re in the vicinity. Personally, I always ask my client who is proposing to shoot me a text to let me know when they arrive to the location, so I know to be looking for them.

For example, for a recent proposal I photographed at Phipps, Nate (who was proposing) sent me a text when he and his girlfriend left their house (about 5/10 minutes from Phipps), and when they arrive at Phipps. That way, I had a couple of minutes to get into position, and then start to watch for intently for them as they made their way to our agreed upon spot.

 6. Keeping Things Secret!

Lots of proposers ask me how I’ll “blend in” and go unnoticed by their soon-to-be fiance while I wait for the big moment. The great thing is, if you choose a public space, I’ll blend right in! With so many hobbyist photographers now-a-days, it’s easy to go unnoticed (or at the very least, blend in with the crowd) while waiting for a proposal to happen. I’ve even went so far as to pretend that I was with a group of tourists (for a proposal on Mount Washington in Pittsburgh) to keep my identity a secret! Overall, choosing a public location for your proposal will help your photographer blend in with the people around them, and keep things secret!

7. Choosing a Public Location vs. a Private Location

Piggy backing off of the last point, you may want to consider how receptive your soon-to-be fiance will be to getting proposed to in a crowd of people vs. in a more secluded/private location. Proposing in a public space will draw attention - which is great for those who love attention! But this method isn’t for everyone. If you feel like your fiance would prefer that moment to be more private and just between the two of you, consider choosing a low foot traffic location, or consider proposing during a time of day where a busy spot might not be so busy (for example, Point State Park in Pittsburgh isn’t as busy in the morning as it is in the evening).

I hope that this blog post was helpful as you prepare to propose to the love of your life! If you’re in need of a surprise proposal photographer in Pittsburgh, I would absolutely LOVE to help you out. Feel free to use the contact tab in the navigation above, or email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com to hear more about the proposal package I offer!

And if you liked this blog post, you might also like…

Shelby & Anthony’s Mount Washington Proposal

Allie & Nate’s Phipps Conservatory Proposal

Tess & Tyler’s Schenley Bridge Proposal

Allie & Nate: Phipp's Conservatory Broderie Room Surprise Proposal

Just in case I’ve never mentioned it here before… surprise proposals are one of my favorite things to photograph! ❤️ And what makes a surprise proposal even better?! When it takes place at Phipp’s Conservatory & Botanic Gardens in the Broderie Room!

One of my favorite things about a surprise proposal is feeling like I’m in on a really great secret… because I totally am! 😉 Even though, most likely, I haven’t met the bride-to-be yet, I know for a fact that she’ll be over-the-moon when she realizes what’s happening… and that it will all be captured photographically! That was a HUGE deal for me when I got engaged (just in case you haven’t seen how Nick proposed to me… click here!), and I treasure the photos and video we have from that day so much, as I know every other bride-to-be will, too!

But back to Allie & Nate! About a month before the proposal, Nate emailed me asking if I would be available to photograph the surprise proposal he had been planning… and thankfully, I was! We touched base a few weeks out from the proposal itself to get a game plan together. I always love having the chance to touch base with grooms-to-be before the proposal itself so we are both on the same page regarding where they will be coming in from, where they will stand, where I will be/what I will be doing, etc. It helps put everyone’s mind at ease!

On the day of the proposal, I woke up to a world of white - even though it was the first week of March, we had gotten at least 4 to 6 inches of snow overnight! Not to mention, it was about 11 degrees outside, so I couldn’t have been more thankful that Nate had decided to propose to Allie inside of Phipp’s Conservatory.

Nate had told Allie that they were going to lunch to celebrate his grandma’s birthday, and suggested stopping at Phipp’s first to enjoy a few moments in the warmth before heading off to lunch nearby. A great cover story, if I do say so myself.

Because Nate had rented a private room (the Broderie Room - probably one of the prettiest in all of Phipp’s!) for the big moment, Phipp’s pretended like the room was closed until Allie & Nate casually walked up - then said that it had just opened (how convenient!). I was in the back area of the picture below pretending to be taking photos of flowers. I watched them out of the corner of my eye as they moved into the Broderie Room, then ran as soon as I saw Nate start to take a knee! And oh, what a sweet moment it was. And how sweet these two are!

After a few moments of shock (and joy!), we were able to jump into a little mini engagement session to capture the joy of that moment and Allie’s gorgeous new ring. And there was so much joy… which is another reason why I love proposals! Genuine, raw emotion.

Allie & Nate, congratulations on your engagement, and thank you so very much for letting me be a part of it!

Interested in booking a room at Phipp’s Conservatory for a photo session? Click here to view information on their website regarding photo sessions! And if you need a photographer, I’d be happy to assist! 😉