surprise proposals

Big Bend Surprise Proposal Photography

An unforgettable moment, set against an unforgettable landscape.

There are few places more extraordinary to ask someone to spend forever with you than in Big Bend National Park. From sweeping desert vistas and dramatic mountain backdrops to quiet stretches of the Rio Grande, Big Bend offers a one-of-a-kind setting for a surprise proposal.

As a Big Bend proposal photographer, I specialize in documenting once-in-a-lifetime moments in the wild landscapes of West Texas. Whether you're planning a sunset proposal overlooking the Chisos Mountains, a romantic getaway to Terlingua, or a surprise engagement during your stay in Lajitas, I'll help you create an experience that feels effortless, meaningful, and entirely your own.

A happy couple outdoors, right after their proposal, smiling and laughing, in a natural landscape setting.

[ EXPLORE GALLERIES ]

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Thoughtfully planned. Beautifully documented.

Planning a surprise proposal somewhere as remote and expansive as Big Bend can feel overwhelming, especially if you've never visited before.

That's where I come in.

Beyond photographing the moment you get down on one knee, I can help you navigate the logistics of planning a proposal in West Texas, from choosing a scenic location and finding the best light to coordinating the timing and keeping the surprise under wraps.

My surprise proposal photography packages are designed to capture both the excitement of the proposal itself and the beautiful, unscripted moments that follow.

Mini

The mini session is for in-town proposals and is ideal for surprise proposals. We have 30 minutes together, which is typically enough time to document the surprise proposal and a few portraits.

Vista*

My most popular offering.
We spend the best light of the day together (sunrise or sunset) at a stunning national or state park locale.

A black and white photo of a woman and man embracing tightly, with tears in her eyes.

Astro

A night sky proposal capturing the magic of the moment and Big Bend’s iconic night sky. 1 hour together.

Adventure

Whether you want to propose at the top of Lost Mine or have some other desert adventure in mind, this package is here to make sure I’m in the right place at the right time and can document the moment.

A couple embracing and kissing in a field of tall, golden grass during sunset.
Close-up black and white photo of two hands, one with a wedding ring, gently holding each other, with part of a face visible in the background.
A couple embracing and kissing outdoors in front of large rocks with mountains in the background and warm sunlight.
Close-up of a couple holding hands, showing an engagement ring on the woman's finger. The woman is wearing a floral dress, and the man is wearing a suit with a plaid sleeve and a bracelet. The background is blurred with warm lighting.
Silhouettes of a man proposing to a woman under a starry night sky
A woman with long hair, wearing a white tank top and a long, white, lace skirt, stands on a gravel roadside in a desert landscape with mountains in the background. She is smiling and holding her hand to her head.
A couple embraces in a desert landscape with mountains in the background.
A man proposing marriage to a woman in a mountainous desert landscape during sunset.
A man is kneeling on one knee, proposing to a woman in a desert landscape with mountains in the background. The woman is reacting happily with her hand over her mouth, wearing a floral dress and red boots, while the man is dressed in a light blue shi
A black and white photo of a young man and woman standing close together outside, leaning against a wall, sharing drinks, and looking at each other affectionately.
A hand with manicured nails and an engagement ring touches desert plant branches against a blue sky.
A man kneeling on one knee proposing marriage to a woman with a large mountain in the background, on a desert landscape.
Two people walking on a paved mountain road with rocky terrain and mountains in the background, under a cloudy sky.
A woman giving a man a kiss on the lips outdoors at sunset, with mountains in the background.
A young man proposing marriage to a woman in a desert landscape with mountains in the background. The woman is smiling and touching the man's face, who is kneeling on one knee.
A couple shares a kiss in a desert landscape, with the woman sitting on a stone wall and the man standing in front of her.
Two women with curly hair laughing and hugging outdoors with mountains in the background, black and white photo.
A man proposing to a woman in a desert landscape with mountains in the background.
A couple embracing, with the woman lifted off the ground, standing near a river with tall canyon walls in the background.
Black and white photo of a couple, man in a suit holding woman with long wavy hair, outdoors with mountains in the background.
A man proposing to a woman in a desert landscape with mountains in the background. The woman is visibly surprised and emotional, covering her mouth with her hand, while the man is kneeling on one knee holding her hands.
A man in a plaid suit is kissing a smiling woman in a floral dress on the cheek outdoors during daylight.
Two women in a desert canyon, one standing and holding a camera, the other sitting and holding a piece of paper, with a green cooler nearby.
A man on one knee holding a ring in front of a woman who appears to be surprised and happy, in an outdoor park setting with trees and string lights in the background.
A man proposing marriage to a woman in a desert landscape with mountains in the background. The man is kneeling, and the woman is standing, wearing a light blue dress. The scene is sunlit with large rocks around them.
A black and white photo of a couple embracing on a rocky outcrop in a mountainous landscape, with a river winding through the valley below.
A couple sitting on a fountain in a park with tall trees behind them, during daytime.
Person holding an engagement ring, placing it on another person's finger outdoors.
A man proposing marriage to a woman in a rocky desert landscape, with mountains in the background during sunset.
A man kneeling and woman standing in the dark, holding lanterns that illuminate their faces, with a rocky ground.
A man proposing to a woman at a park with a fountain, trees, and lampposts in the background.
A woman with long hair and a nose piercing crying and hugging a person with dreadlocks outdoors.
Night sky filled with numerous stars and the Milky Way galaxy, with a small illuminated structure or house on the horizon.

[ SELECT PROPOSAL PACKAGES ]

  • The mini session is ideal for surprise proposals where you want to make sure the moment is documented, but don’t need a full portrait session. The mini session is 30 minutes, which is typically enough time to document the surprise proposal followed by 10-20 minutes of portraits; perfect for engagement announcements and save the dates.

    $1,000

    [ this package is for proposals in Terlingua, Study Butte, and Lajitas ]

  • Need help picking a stunning spot in the national or state park to propose? This is the perfect package for you. I’ll share my top, curated recommendations for your proposal location, and then we spend the best light of the day together (sunrise or sunset) at a stunning national or state park locale. Typically, we kick off our 45 minutes together with the proposal and then transition into a short portrait session, leaving you with photos that can be used as engagement announcements, engagement photos, save the dates, or any way you please.

    $1,500

    [ for hiking locations, backcountry locations, 4×4 roads, book my Adventure Package ]

  • Whether you want to propose at the top of Lost Mine, hike into St Elena Canyon, or have some other desert adventure in mind for asking your partner to marry you, this package is here to make sure I’m in the right place at the right time and can document the moment. 30 minutes of coverage on hikes up to 5 miles.

    $3,000

  • A night sky proposal capturing the magic of the moment and Big Bend’s iconic night sky. 1 hour together.

    $2,500

  • Dreaming of something a little different? Whether you want to do a private horseback ride to the top of a Mesa, paddle out on a kayak or canoe ride, or access a remote location in the National or state park, we can craft a custom option that’s perfect for what you’re dreaming up.

    Inquire for pricing

You've found your person. Let's find your place.

Whether you're dreaming of a grand romantic gesture or a quiet moment together beneath the West Texas sky, I'd love to photograph your surprise proposal in Big Bend.