If you’re planning a surprise Nashville proposal and thinking about hiring a photographer, you might be wondering what the experience is actually like. Will it be obvious? Will your partner figure it out? Will the photos feel natural or staged?

It doesn’t have to feel complicated.

Michael proposed to Cat at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin this past weekend, and I photographed the entire thing. Hidden until the right moment, then capturing the proposal and an engagement session right after. The day was cold, windy, and even drizzled a bit. But none of that mattered because they were just focused on each other and the fact that they were engaged.

As a Nashville proposal photographer, this is exactly the kind of work I love.

How Proposal Photography Actually Works

Michael told Cat they were walking over to a restaurant (which didn’t exist because we were in a park, but she went with it). I stayed hidden, positioned so I could capture the moment without her seeing me. When he got down on one knee, her reaction was everything. Pure surprise, tears, laughter, all of it.

As a Nashville proposal photographer, staying hidden while still getting great photos is part of the job. You coordinate timing and positioning beforehand, then let the moment unfold naturally. Cat had no idea I was there until after he proposed.

The best part? After the proposal, Cat kept holding out her hand in every photo like “look at my ring!” It was so sweet and genuine.

What Engagement Photos Actually Feel Like

After the proposal, we spent some time doing engagement photos around Harlinsdale Farm. The weather wasn’t ideal — windy, cold, a little rainy — but here’s the thing: when you’re comfortable with your photographer and you’re not worried about looking perfect, the weather doesn’t matter as much as you think.

Cat kept holding out her hand showing off her ring. They laughed about Michael’s fake restaurant story. We walked around, talked, and I documented what was actually happening instead of posing them through a shot list.

That’s what I want your engagement session to feel like. Not stiff. Not awkward. Just you two, in a place that feels right, with someone who’s paying attention to the real moments.

Why Harlinsdale Farm Works for Engagement Photos

Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin is a great spot for engagement sessions if you want something natural and relaxed. It’s not overly manicured or stuffy. Just open fields, historic barns, and plenty of space to move around. It photographs well in any season, and the relaxed vibe works for couples who don’t want anything too posed or formal.

If you’re looking for a Nashville engagement photographer who shoots in a documentary style and loves capturing real moments (even in less-than-perfect weather), this is exactly the kind of work I’m drawn to.

Planning Your Nashville Proposal

If you’re planning a surprise proposal and looking for a Nashville proposal photographer, here’s what matters most: finding someone who understands how to stay hidden, coordinate logistics, and capture genuine reactions without interfering with the moment.

I work with you beforehand to plan timing, positioning, and backup plans. Then on the day, I stay out of sight until the proposal happens, document the moment, and transition into an engagement session right after if you want.

Whether you’re proposing at Harlinsdale Farm, Percy Priest Lake, the Smoky Mountains, or anywhere in Tennessee, I’m here to document it all in a way that feels true to you.

Planning your Nashville proposal or engagement session? Get in touch here.