Proposal and Engagement Photo Session in Riva del Garda

Shanth’s surprise marriage proposal to Julia during their photoshoot in Lake Garda.

A month before their trip to Italy, Shanth from Seattle, USA, contacted me to arrange a photoshoot to capture his marriage proposal to Julia, his girlfriend of five years. Among the places they planned to visit, Shanth had chosen Lake Garda, particularly the town of Riva del Garda, at the northern tip of the lake, as the perfect location for his proposal.

The images of Riva del Garda he had seen online had greatly impressed him, and he mentioned several spots where he envisioned making the proposal. Ideally, he wanted me to photograph the proposal discreetly or have us “accidentally” meet so I could capture the moment under a prearranged guise.

In reality, these methods of photographing a marriage proposal are very risky, especially in popular tourist spots where privacy is hard to come by, such as anywhere on Lake Garda (as I explain in detail here: Surprise Marriage Proposal Tips).

To summarize, many photos online depict couples in stunning lakeside locations that appear devoid of other people, but the reality is quite different. The photographer can only capture such images by managing the situation with the couple’s cooperation, often waiting a long time for the perfect moment. Some photos are not from actual commissioned shoots but are created for the photographer’s portfolio during off-peak seasons using models in summer outfits. Some photos accompanying articles or pages of photographers advertising their services at Lake Garda were even taken elsewhere!

Shanth had done his homework and identified suitable locations, with additional suggestions from me. However, no one could guarantee that the chosen spot would be free from tourists or other unwanted elements at the decided time. To ensure everything went smoothly and the desired photos were taken, flexibility in location and timing was necessary.

Given the importance of the moment and Shanth’s desire for everything to go perfectly, it was easy to convince him to be upfront with Julia about hiring a professional photographer to document their vacation in Riva del Garda. This would minimize any suspicion she might have and allow us to capture the moment authentically.

We planned a route through various chosen spots, and I would meet them at the starting point of the walk.

Upon arriving in Riva del Garda, I happily noticed fewer tourists than usual, likely due to it being a Monday. This made my task easier than expected.

Meeting Shanth and Julia, I was even more happy and delighted by how friendly and easygoing they were. To avoid raising Julia’s suspicions about the true purpose of the shoot and the amount of information Shanth and I had exchanged, I casually asked if they were family (brother and sister) or a couple, and if they were married or engaged, under the pretense of determining the mood of the photos I was supposed to shoot.

Fortunately, we could chose our first-choice location for the proposal. Thanks to the relatively low pedestrian and bicycle traffic, we managed the situation perfectly. By the way, we were lucky indeed because, at the end of the shoot, I passed by the spot again, and a large group of cyclists had parked their bikes against the railing, enjoying ice cream and the view.

To Shanth’s delight, Julia never suspected the true reason for the photoshoot, making the proposal a beautiful, unexpected, and emotional surprise! After the proposal, with Shanth’s tension eased and Julia’s excitement high, we continued our walk, taking more engagement photos along our planned route.

I also took the opportunity to test a 360° video camera, which is very handy and allows the photographer to capture interesting video clips simultaneously with photos. With the right editing and color grading, the result is a captivating video that complements the proposal and engagement photoshoot and enhances the memory of such important moments.

Among the most requested villages for engagement photoshoots around the lake, such as Malcesine, Lazise, Garda, Sirmione, Limone, Riva del Garda stands out for its wide and varied lakeside stretches, offering diverse photo opportunities. I love this location for engagement photos on Lake Garda, also because it’s less crowded than other destinations due to its ample space. However, it’s not ideal for sunset photos because the mountains to the east cast shadows over the area a few hours before sunset. But as you can see, you don’t need sunset light to capture beautiful, romantic engagement photos.

It was a true pleasure to be part of and document this special moment in the lives of such a wonderful couple. I hope my photos and video help them relive this moment with joy for many years to come. 

My best wishes to them for a happy future!