Emma Mullins Photography

When Vakul first contacted me about photographing his surprise Adler Planetarium proposal, I was both thrilled and a little nervous. I had never photographed a proposal before – would I know what to do? What if she spotted me? How would I know where to stand, how to best capture the moment on camera? Luckily, I’m an expert fly on the wall. Vakul had plenty of ideas, and we had fun coordinating together before the morning he proposed.

I arrived on site with plenty of time to scope out our chosen location. The area wasn’t as crowded as we’d anticipated, which made my plan to blend in with the tourists a bit challenging. Thank goodness, when Vakul and Ashima arrived, he led her immediately to the spot! Once they were in position I was able to get closer without her suspecting a thing.

Vakul picked a private spot on the steps where he shared something he’d written for Ashima. They had each other’s complete attention! Pedestrians and cyclists went by, but I don’t think either of them noticed. He asked, she said yes, and the rest is – well, their beginning!

Finally, it was time to reveal myself to Ashima. The three of us (all teary-eyed) walked along the lake for some photos before I left these two to enjoy their engagement day! What an incredible experience this was, and a true honor to be a part of this couple’s journey. Thanks for asking me to capture these moments for you, Vakul! I have a feeling your proposal will not be my last 🙂

Planning your own Adler Planetarium proposal?

Excellent choice! Of course, Chicago’s Museum Campus is one of the most picturesque locations in the city. The skyline view is top notch, and looks especially stunning at sunrise or sunset. A few tips:

• Sunrise and sunset also happen to be the best times for romantic lighting! If you’re planning a surprise proposal, I’d recommend shooting for either of these times of day.
• Keep in mind that this iconic location may be crowded with tourists and locals at any given time. Weekends, especially Saturdays May-October, will probably leave you little to no privacy.
• If you’re planning to include friends or family in your surprise proposal, make sure they’re hidden well out of sight until you ask the question!
• Finally, don’t forget to hire a professional photographer to document the moment so you can announce your engagement in style!