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You’ve planned the perfect moment—let us preserve it beautifully.
When Bryan proposed— it was at Narita Airport in Japan, mere hours before our return flight back to the States. With crowds of oblivious airport shoppers strolling left and right hunting for duty-free bargains and souvenirs, he kept it simple and didn't hire a photographer, as his mission was to propose to me before we head back to the States. Long story short, he made it happen, and I said yes.
Everyone's proposal stories are different.
Not everyone would think about capturing such precious moments when they are so caught in the how-to's and the perfect plan. Proposals are emotional and nerve-racking, but they are one of those once in a lifetime moments that will make your heart race so fast and your body goes shaking with all the adrenaline running through your veins.
As a photographer, planning is key to any proposal, so having close communication with the proposer is crucial for a successful undercover shoot. Just like weddings, location is important, making sure there's good light and hiding spots will provide even better results.
Capturing a surprise proposal is an art — one that requires skill, discretion, and a deep understanding of storytelling. At Stephanie Ip Photography, we specialize in surprise proposal photography in Southern California, ensuring that your once-in-a-lifetime moment is beautifully and authentically preserved.
Expertly Discreet & Thoughtfully Planned – We work closely with you to map out the perfect plan, staying hidden in plain sight to capture the raw emotion of the moment.
Stunning, Timeless Imagery – With years of experience in engagement and proposal photography, we focus on natural light, candid reactions, and breathtaking backdrops to create timeless images.
Best Locations for Proposals in California – Whether it’s a romantic beachside proposal in Malibu, a scenic overlook in Big Sur, or a sunset moment in Laguna Beach, we help you find the perfect spot.
Stress-Free Experience – From planning tips to secret signals, we guide you through the entire process, so you can focus on the big question while we take care of the rest. Your proposal is a story worth telling—let’s make sure it’s captured with the care and artistry it deserves.
No travel fee for location within 15 miles radius from 90501. Otherwise, it is $2/extra mile driven one way. Locations beyond 100 miles radius of 90501 will require airfare and all travel accomadations.
Los Angeles – Malibu, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Bel Air, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills Estates, San Marino, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Torrance, Long Beach
Orange County – Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Hills
Planning a surprise proposal can feel overwhelming, but we make it easy. From choosing the perfect location to capturing the big moment, we’re with you every step of the way. Here’s how it works:
Every proposals are unique, because no couples are the same. We want to hear your love story, wants and needs to turn this proposal as a memorable Yes!
Schedule a Discovery CallAfter booking, we’ll schedule a prep call to fine-tune the details, go over logistics, and share expert tips to keep the surprise seamless.
On the big day, we discreetly document the moment, followed by just-engaged portraits. Your beautifully edited photos and video will be delivered in a private gallery—ready to share with family and friends!
Capturing everything from the raw, emotional yes to the joyful embraces that follow, surprise proposals are filled with unforgettable moments of love and excitement.
Every love story begins with a moment—whether it’s the excitement of a surprise proposal, the joy of an engagement, or the magic of a wedding day.
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Looking for the best locations to pop the question? Check out this free guide we've put together, along with our pro tips, a checklist of what to prepare, and even restaurants recommendations nearby these top locations to make your planning simple and stree-free!
Your surprise proposal is a once-in-a-lifetime moment—let’s make sure it’s beautifully documented. Our proposal packages are designed to capture every reaction, every emotion, and every detail of your big moment.
A beautifully orchestrated proposal featuring an elegant floral setup and/or a romantic picnic, set in a scenic park, beach, or even on a private boat, creating the perfect unforgettable moment to pop the question.
Create a timeless and intimate proposal with a classy yet minimalistic setup, featuring a wooden crate, area rug, and romantic touches. Celebrate with chilled champagne, take-home flutes, and a bouquet of your choice, making the moment even more magical.
Keep it simple and effortless — just bring your love and the ring. Keep it low-key, so your partner won't notice a thing!
"Working with Stephanie during our surprise proposal was an absolute pleasure. I'm not usually one for photos but she made the entire experience fun, relaxing and rewarding. All out photos turned out wonderful. We'll definitely be looking to book her again for future photos."
Don’t worry—we specialize in seamless, discreet coordination to keep the proposal a complete surprise! Once you’ve booked your session, we’ll have a private planning call to go over every detail, including where to stand, how to position yourself, and even secret signals to ensure perfect timing. On the big day, we’ll blend into the surroundings, capturing every emotion without your partner suspecting a thing.
Yes! We’re not just photographers—we’re here to help make your proposal stress-free and unforgettable. During our planning call, we’ll discuss the best locations, timing, lighting, and even how to position yourself for the most stunning photos. Need recommendations on how to set up the perfect moment? We’ve captured countless surprise proposals and can guide you every step of the way.
Weather can be unpredictable, but we always have a backup plan! If the forecast looks unfavorable, we’ll work with you to adjust the timing, change the location, or reschedule if necessary. Many beautiful locations have covered or indoor options that still provide a romantic backdrop. We keep an eye on the weather and will stay in close contact to ensure your proposal goes smoothly, rain or shine!
Check out our Cancellation & Rescheduling policy for more info.
We know you’ll be excited to relive the moment, so we offer a sneak peek within 24 hours! Your full gallery of professionally edited images will be delivered within 2 weeks. If you need a same-day sneak peek for sharing with friends and family, we offer an express editing add-on for fast delivery of a few key images.
Ready to make your dream proposal a reality?
Let’s plan it together!
Making sure our clients have a satisfying experience is part of the package you'll get when working with us.
"Stephanie and her husband Bryan provided a great experience for my surprise proposal! The planning session helped a lot to work out the details, and their photography and videography was top notch!"
"Stephanie was quite simply amazing to work with. We worked with her on our surprise wedding proposal at Terranea Resort in December 2024. We would 100% recommend her to all our friends and would unquestionably work with her again on our future projects. The photos she took were top notch and we could not be happier with them. She went above and beyond to make sure we had the perfect experience. This included consistent communication before the planned photoshoot as well as amazing directions during the shoot itself."
"I'm based in LA and I booked Stephanie to shoot my surprise proposal to my now fiancé! After doing some research and finding her website I knew I wanted to work with her for my proposal. The entire process of working with her was super smooth and the communication was great. We had a zoom session to plan the details of the day, and it was clear she had lots of experience, which made me feel less nervous about all of the logistics that would be involved (my proposal would be during golden hour at El Matador state beach in Malibu on Labor Day). The proposal went great, and Stephanie and her partner captured it so beautifully. I also wanted to add that as two women in the LGBTQ+ community, my fiancé and I felt very comfortable throughout the entire shoot and process. We got a sneak peak of some of the photos the day after the proposal, which was so nice. The photos completely blew us away and turned out even better than I imagined! I would definitely work with Stephanie again and I would highly recommend her services!"
"Stephanie was amazing to work with. She does a fantastic job of capturing both pure candid moments and beautiful portrait shots."
"I'am from Mexico and I visited LA California to propose to my girlfriend in the Griffith observatory Stephanie's team is a true gift to the senses. Each image is a work of art that captures the essence of its subject with sensitivity and emotional depth that leaves you breathless. Each image is a reflection of her passion and dedication to her craft. I love how Stephanie, Brayan and Shabu plays with light and composition to create unique and enveloping atmospheres. Her photographs are a journey to new and exciting worlds, full of color, texture, and life, even when the day is difficult. In my case the day was so sunny, but Stephanie knows how to work even with a difficult days to give you a beautiful experience and photos. Her photographs are a reminder of the importance of appreciating life in all its details. In short, Stephanie's work is a true inspiration. Her talent, creativity, and dedication make each image a gem that you must see and experience. I highly recommend Stephanie, Brayan and Shabu to be part of your experience."
"I would highly recommend Ms Stephanie and Stephanie IP photography. I found Ms Stephanie through google. Just looked for "surprise proposal" and I'm really lucky to have encountered her website. She was very accommodating and very versatile and could adjust to your liking. Just tell her what's on your mind then she would also add her suggestions which makes the outcome superb. She is very professional and always considers her customer's contentment. On top of that, her shots and editings are good! She also delivers within the time frame she sets. Thank you Ms. Stephanie!"
"Amazing as always! we love her work so much that we used her for both proposal and the engagement photoshoot. Great vision when it comes to taking photos! She made us feel very comfortable as we are generally not very natural in front of the camera. Shabu and Bryan are always great company as well! Overall, highly recommend her to anyone who is interested in organizing a proposal & taking engagement photos!!"
"Stephanie was amazing! She captured all our moments during our surprise proposal, had a super cute set up and made the session extra fun and creative!"
"Working with Stephanie during our surprise proposal was an absolute pleasure. I'm not usually one for photos but she made the entire experience fun, relaxing and rewarding. All out photos turned out wonderful. We'll definitely be looking to book her again for future photos."
"Working with Stephanie was incredible! She was super organized, prepared, and her pictures were perfect. Highly recommend to anyone! She’s the best!!!!"
"TLDR: Stephanie and her husband, Brian, were truly fantastic to work with. I would wholeheartedly vouch for their premium service to anyone needing a photography session. She goes above and beyond with communication AND coordination. Our engagement photos came out immaculate and I couldn't be more thankful!! I first messaged Stephanie in August 2023 with plans to propose to my (now) fiance. She instantly got back to me and booked a zoom session for the both of us to better get to know one another. I shared my vision for the proposal and she happily gave some of her recommendations (especially considering she knows where all the "hot spots" are in the Los Angeles area). Ultimately, we planned for a proposal on a yacht in Marina Del Rey, which was her very first time doing this! We were in constant contact regarding all the details for decoration, directions, and for the coordination of my family and friends. She even went out to the Marina to meet the captain and scope out the boat and the area. We had several zoom sessions with both myself and my family to make sure this went perfectly. Stephanie was so patient and was always positive!! Fast-forward to the actual proposal: Everything went off as planned!! Stephanie and her husband, Brian, coordinated my family on to the yacht prior to the arrival of my fiance and me. My fiance had her eyes closed the entire time while we set sail. By the time we anchored the yacht, Stephanie guided my family to the front of the boat. I then had my fiance open her eyes, only for her to discover we were in the middle of Marina Del Rey during sunset with all of our loved ones present. It was so beautiful and Stephanie did an amazing job capturing the moment. The decorations were gorgeous and she did an exceptional job at providing us with a beautiful charcuterie board with champagne and refreshments. Overall, my family, my fiance, and I were TRULY blessed to have worked with Stephanie. It's incomprehensible just how much work she does behind the scenes. She really wants you to have the best experience you can. I would, without a doubt, highly recommend her to do your photos! Thank you again Stephanie and Brian, you two are truly amazing!!!! Always, Marty and Mikaela"
"We had a secret engagement photoshoot and everything was PERFECT! We can't thank Stephanie and Bryan for all they did. ❤️❤️"
"Stephanie helped me arrange the perfect surprise proposal for my now-fiancé! We were going back to the site of our first date, and I had an idea of what I wanted the proposal to look like, but Stephanie really made it happen. She communicated efficiently and completely, and with her guidance the logistics were rapidly determined. She and her husband managed to hide from my extremely-observant partner as I maneuvered us into position for the proposal, and she didn't miss a beat! She had planned out the perfect rainy-day proposal photo shoot in advance, and my partner and I felt so comfortable and able to relax with her guiding us through the shoot. And then she sent us photos the very next day and they were spectacular!!! She is a phenomenal photographer, communicator, and logistician, who is so easy to work with! It's unfortunate that I'm limited to 5 stars!"
"Stephanie helped shoot my proposal. I was coming from out of town and had our friends bring my fiancee to the proposal spot without her knowing what was going on. Needless to say, it required a lot of coordination and Stephanie helped with all of that. She researched the final two spots I was considering, met me the day of to figure the perfect spot and angle. Also her husband was there for any support and extra props since it was at a public space.
Definitely recommend!"
"Stephanie helped shoot my proposal to my girlfriend (now fiancee) and did an amazing job!! The pictures came out beautifully and my fiancee is so happy with them. For me, what was even more helpful was the location scouting Stephanie did prior to the shoot. She went to 5 different locations for me (since it was a destination proposal) and gave me her clear and honest feedback on each of the spots until we found the perfect place! See the picture below. She also put me in touch with a decor expert who she had worked with in the past, so the day of I had absolutely nothing to worry about except not fumbling over my words when I actually proposed. Highly recommend!!"
"What can I not say about Stephanie? She did an incredible job throughout the process. I commissioned a mini-engagement photoshoot for a surprise proposal. Stephanie was very professional in wanting to know the story and plan. She was very flexible scheduling zoom calls to confirm the plan. She suggested great spots and I even took one of her suggestions and I do not regret it. I had to reschedule a few times and Stephanie was more than accommodating. When it came to the day of, Stephanie did a great job hiding in plain sight and coaching me to do certain things. She as a great aesthetic and really worked hard to capture the natural beauty of us. She directed us well and could not have asked for a more pleasant experience. The pictures came out spectacular. I wish I could give her 6 stars!"
"I reached out to Stephanie for a surprise engagement photo shoot with my now fiance. Stephanie is such a wonderful and professional photographer! She is very generous and flexible to work with and is great at communicating with you to plan the photoshoot which is a big plus! I didn't have time to scope out the location I suggested to do the shoot however Stephanie went above and beyond to scope out the location herself and provided great suggestions and options as to where to do the engagement and get great photos! The surprise engagement itself was perfect because of her help! The photoshoot itself was very smooth and was easy to pose for the photos because of her excellent communication skills. My fiance and I fell in love with the photos that Stephanie captured! The results exceeded my expectations! She definitely captured this special moment in our lives which I am grateful for. Would definitely recommend to anyone that needs a photographer to capture any special moment in their lives! Thank you Stephanie for everything you did to capture our special day!"
"Stephanie was FANTASTIC. She absolutely nailed the perfect proposal/engagement photo shoot and helped to coordinate the entire play-by-play with me from start to finish. I'm based on the East coast and was trying to plan a proposal on Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles. I had never been to the beach before but knew it was the right place to pop the question. Not only did Stephanie remain stealthy and capture the whole moment with 100+ photos, she scouted the area a week ahead (and sent a Youtube video of vantage points), suggested the perfect spot (with the pier in the background), showed me her hiding spot and angles, and even ran out to purchase a bottle of champagne for me (and kept it chilled). She did all of this for me AFTER HAVING HER OWN OFFICIAL WEDDING THE MORNING OF THE PHOTOSHOOT. My fiancé and I are so happy with the photos and Stephanie was extremely generous with her time (before and during the day). She even sent ~5 photos along during the same day so we could shar them with friends and family immediately. Just incredible, incredible service and A+ quality pictures. I would 100% recommend her to anyone seeking some help for a high (or low) stakes photo opportunity."
"Stephanie was amazing! I planned a surprise engagement and Stephanie scouted the location, sent me videos of her plans (covid precautions instead of meeting in person), and did an amazing job capturing our very special day. She was prompt, responsive, and had great follow through. Would definitely recommend her services. Also, the photos came out great!"
