Tips and locations for proposals from a professional photographer in Provence

Proposal Photoshoots in Provence 

Provence is a romantic and beautiful place. Over the past few years I’ve noticed more and more demand for engagement photoshoots with stunning backdrops. To be honest, romantic photoshoots are my absolute favourite so I’m more than happy to oblige! It’s become a little bit of a niche of mine.

Engagement Photography 

An engagement photoshoot can be the same as any romantic or anniversary photoshoot. The only difference is that if you like we can include a bottle of bubbly to celebrate as well as pictures of the ring. There are lots of fun cheesy poses we can play with as well, though from my work you can hopefully see that I prefer natural photos. Photoshoots are from 60 minutes to an entire morning or afternoon. The length of the photoshoot depends on the amount of locations you’d like to explore. The longer the shoot, the more people tend to relax into the process, and the better the photos. 

Photographing the Real Proposal

Photographing the real proposal is possible! There are a few things to keep in mind. 

How private would you like your proposal to be? 

If I’m photographing your proposal I can do it from some distance where I don’t hear what you’re saying and you feel like you’re really in the moment. However, what about other people? Are you really private and would prefer an olive grove or to take a small hike to a secluded location?  (The fact that I’m the only other person there may be conspicuous). Or are you happy to go to the top of the village at sunset and risk a couple other people being there? It’s possible to have many beautiful locations, like Gordes village, all to yourself if you go for sunrise. The only tricky thing is being inconspicuous about getting your partner to wake up at the crack of dawn! 

Making them Comfortable

If your partner is being photographed would they prefer to be dressed up? If so, it’s often a good idea to say that you’re going to a nice restaurant. Then, on your way to the restaurant, I can suggest a beautiful spot for you to stop for the excuse of a sunset selfie. If the spot is a bit touristy that’s actually an easy option for me as I can pretend to be a tourist. If you really want to make sure your partner is comfortable with being photographed, there is also the option of telling them that you’ve booked me for a photoshoot. Then, I can meet them, make them feel comfortable, and place you in a gorgeous spot for you to surprise them. You can always say you were gifted the photoshoot by a friend or family to make it a little less suspicious. 

Tips for having your proposal photographed: (there’s a lot to think about here but try to keep these in mind)

• Once you get to the agreed location, don’t hesitate too much or they’ll start to be suspicious. At the same time, if there are other people there feel free to wait until they leave. At most viewpoints people take a quick photo and move on. 
• Take your time with the actual proposal (contradictory I know!) What I mean by this is say a few words to build up to the big question. I’ve noticed that this is really appreciated and makes the special moment a little longer. It’s also great for reactions. I won’t hear anything as I’ll be a bit further away.
• Stand in such a way that I can see both of you from the side. Ideally, the person who is standing should be in the sun/light. 
• If you’re proposing to a lady and she has her hair down, tuck it behind her ear before you go down on one knee. Or, suggest she put her hair half-up or up. This is because if you’re on your knee and she’s looking down, her hair may block her face! 
• Stay on your knee until the ring is on her finger so I can get the shot!
• I will be at the location 15 minutes early just in case. If you’re running late, let me know only if it’ll be longer than 15 minutes from the agreed time. 

Photoshoot Options

I am very flexible in making your proposal as bespoke to you as possible. I can bring a bottle of chilled local bubbly and some vintage glasses. As a foodie, I’m passionate about food so can bring a picnic which is fun for photos. I can bring some flowers that your partner particularly loves. If you’d like to coordinate that your family arrives during the photoshoot, I can coordinate that with them. 

Combined Photoshoot & Market Tour

It’s possible to have a combined photoshoot, market tour and picnic. This is possible in Saint Remy de Provence, Eygalières or Gordes every month except July & August.

Proposal Locations 

I generally cover the Alpilles and Luberon regional park areas. These areas are full of stunning hiking locations, hilltop villages and viewpoints. Depending on where you’re staying, I can suggest a spot. You can also let me know if there’s something specific that you have in mind. I’ve included a couple “how to make a day of it” options but feel free to ask me about more options. 

Here are some provence proposal location suggestions :

Gordes Viewpoint

This is iconic provence. An absolutely stunning location, the viewpoint over Gordes is convenient for many reasons:

• Parking on the side of the road, so easy excuse for a stop before dinner or on your way to the village. 
• Ideal sunrise location
• Close to many other locations for combined photoshoots of village, olive groves and lavender.
• A tourist spot, so inconspicuous that I would be there with a camera

Cons : 

• Can be busy during the summer season so you’d have to wait until you have the lookout to yourselves 

Gordes in the evening :

Make a day of it: 

Visit other hilltop towns nearby such as Roussillon, Goult, Bonnieux and Menerbes. 

Gordes Engagement photoshoot ideas:

60 Minutes : Lookout & village / Lookout & olive groves or lavender
90 Minutes: Lookout, village and olive groves/lavender
2 hours : Lookout, village, olives and lavender
Full morning (on Tuesdays) : Lookout, lavender, olives, village & market 
Full morning or evening: lookout, village, olives, nearby village of Roussillon (for more colourful backdrop)

Gordes in the morning:

Lavender Fields in Provence (limited season)

Lavender fields are perfect for photos. I do not offer photoshoots in the expansive fields of Valensole as there are too many people; I prefer the smaller fields in the Luberon (near Oppède, Goult, Bonnieux) where there are less people. Depending on the week, I can suggest a field in full bloom. The light is really important for lavender fields as they are generally flat so photoshoots need to be at the very beginning or end of the day. As the days are long in June/July this would mean start time of 6:15am or 8pm depending on the location and length of the photoshoot. 

Pros : 

• I can suggest a field that is easy to park next to, so it would make sense to stop to take a few photos or admire the scenery
• You can easily feel like the moment is all yours as you can distance yourself from anyone else that may be around
• Stunning light and lots of fun poses to try
• Sunflowers bloom at the same time, so it’s possible to combine the two if we can find a sunflower field nearby

Cons : 

• Lavender has a very short season! It lasts from the last week of June to through the first 2 weeks of July
• If it’s a particularly hot season, it’s possible the flowers will be cut early. I will have to make sure they’re still there before the photoshoot. 
• There are lots of honey bees in the lavender. I’ve never had an issue as they tend to be busy doing their thing but something to keep in mind if someone has an issue with bees. 
• You’ll most likely get your shoes a little dirty! But it’s absolutely worth it…

Make a day of it

Visit local hilltop towns in the Luberon during the afternoon or after a morning photoshoot go to a morning market such as Gordes (Tuesday) or Isle sur la Sorgue (Sunday).

Lavender Engagement Photoshoot ideas:

60 minutes : lavender field
90 minutes: lavender field & hilltop town or Gordes lookout
2 hours: lavender, sunflowers, hilltop town (Oppède-le-Vieux is an off-the-beaten track option)
Full morning/evening: lavender, hilltop town(s), olive groves

Eygalières Village 

For the authentic. This chic town isn’t touristy compared to the other hilltop towns I’m suggesting here. It’s perfect for a combined countryside and architecture photoshoot. The market on Friday mornings is also particularly beautiful and a fun backdrop for photos. 

Pros : 

• Lesser known village, most likely will have the location to yourselves, especially in the morning
• Many local restaurant options in town or nearby Saint Remy de Provence
• Beautiful! 
• possibility to drive to nearby Chapelle Sainte Sixte

Cons : 

• There may be people watching the sunset from the viewpoint (usually only during the summer)
• You have a 10 minute uphill walk to the viewpoint 

Make a day of it

Go wine tasting in the stunning area between this town and Maussane-les-Alpilles. Go to Les Baux or Saint Remy de Provence for shopping and Van Gogh sites.

Eygalières engagement photoshoot ideas:

60 minutes : village ruins & café
90 minutes: village ruins, olive grove
2 hours: village ruins, café, olive groves, vineyard
Full morning: village ruins, café, olive groves, vineyard & market

Market day: Friday morning

Les Baux de Provence Castle Ruins

From the top of Les Baux you have a view over the Alpilles regional park. You can make a day of it by going to the Carrières des Lumiéres light show in the quarry at the bottom of the hill. 

Pros :

• Stunning view with lots of interesting architecture and nearby olive groves for different backdrops
• A tourist site, so unsuspecting
• Close to many restaurant options

Cons : 

• You can to walk to the top of the village; it’s best to wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven at the castle (she may want to wear heels but you can bring them or change after the castle).
• The castle ruins site is open to only certain hours depending on the month. This means the proposal itself may not be in the ideal light but we can make use of the light later on in the olive groves. 
• Parking can be a bit of a pain during the high season
• Touristy during the summer months (unless at the beginning of the day)

Les Baux engagement photoshoot ideas:

60 minutes: castle ruins
90 minutes: castle ruins & village
2 hours: castle ruins, village & olive grove
Full morning/evening: castle ruins, village, olive groves, market or nearby hotel Baumaniere

Market day (in Maussane) : Thursday morning

Les Baux de Provence hike & viewpoint

Ideal for nature-lovers and a morning hike, this viewpoint is stunning. It overlooks both the Les Baux castle and valley. 

Pros : 

• Secluded location
• A bit of an adventure! 
• Beautiful sunrise location

Cons : 

• 15 minute uphill hike (I can leave ribbons on the trees for you to follow)
• Not for people afraid of heights (cliff drop)
• Not advisable on days with wind

Make a day of it

Visit Les Baux village, castle ruins and Carrières des Lumiéres light show. Visit saint Rémy de Provence (15 minutes away) for the market and/or great boutique shopping and Van Gogh sites.

Les Baux hike engagement photoshoot ideas:

60 minutes: Viewpoint & nearby forest paths
90 minutes: viewpoint, paths & olive groves
2 hours: Viewpoint, paths, olive groves & Les Baux village
Morning : viewpoint, paths, olive groves, Les Baux village & castle ruins

Montagne Sainte Victoire

Use this mountain, so beloved by Cézanne, as a backdrop for your proposal. Best for sunset. 

Pros : 

• Beautiful location close to Aix en Provence

Cons : 

• Winding road from Aix, drive slowly!
• Less options for combined architecture and landscape options nearby 

Make a day of it

Spend the day wandering Aix en Provence then head out to the mountain for a picnic. Or, spend the day wine tasting at some of the local wineries here such as Château Gassier. 

60 minutes: mountain backdrop

How to Book

Send me, Ashley, an email ! 

curiousprovence@gmail.com

Even if you have a last minute request I will do my best to pick a beautiful location and make your moment as special as possible. Provence is beautiful year-round so I’m available year-round. 

Let me know : 

• The name of your partner
• Where you’ll be staying 
• If any of the above options interest you or if you have another idea
• If you prefer sunrise or sunset
• How long of a photoshoot you’d like
• If you’ll be actually proposing or if they’ve already said yes

I will then send you my availabilities and pricing information. If you like we can also share a phone call to go over details. I will send you a gps location via text if we’re meeting in a field a few days before the photoshoot.

If you’d like to see more of my professional work, my photography website is: photographerinprovence.com

If you’d like to see more location ideas, check out the CuriousProvence Instagram. 

You can see more reviews for my work on Google or TripAdvisor. 

Reviews from TripAdvisor for CuriousProvence / Photographer in Provence Engagement Photoshoots :

Surprise proposal photoshoot in Lea Baux en Provence

“I connected with Ashley a few months prior to my trip to Provence to help plan my surprise engagement and photoshoot. I had a excellent experience working with Ashley. She was able to provide me with plenty of information to help me choose the perfect spot to pop the question remotely from Canada. On the big day, after asking the famous four words and my fiancé saying yes, we had a wonderful two-hour photoshoot across various picturesque sites in Les Baux en Provence. It was a truly a special occasion and we’re so glad to have booked with Ashley to be there to take our engagement photos! The pictures truly captured the moment and the natural beauty of the Provence countryside. I highly recommend working with Ashley and would certainly book with her again!“

Memorable market tour in Eygalieres & spectacular engagement photos

“Ashley helped me plan and execute a fairy tale day in Provence. Ashley led my girlfriend and I on a beautiful market tour in Eygalieres, which included a delicious “picnic” of foods she made and bought for us during the market. She helped us buy some beautiful products from great vendors. Later that day, Ashley led us to a beautiful location in Les Baux and captured our engagement at sunset. Ashley was a pleasure to work with, has a wonderful personality, and was very responsive to all my questions & requests. I can’t recommend her enough!”

Surprise Proposal/Engagement Photoshoot in Eygalières

“Ashley was the easiest person to work with!

All I knew was that I wanted to propose in Provence, but I had no idea where to begin. That’s where Ashley came in. She found an amazing overlook a short walk from where we were staying. All I had to do was bring my future fiancé there for a sunset. After she said yes, she had a bottle of champagne for us to open and set up a picnic for us!

Not only did Ashley create my ideal proposal, but the impromptu engagement photoshoot that followed was amazing. The photos came out better than we could have ever imagined!

I am very grateful for Ashley, especially because she made me look so good!”

Provence Surprise Proposal Photoshoot

“I worked with Ashley to capture our proposal and she did an unbelievable job. She is very kind and was extremely helpful throughout the process — from selecting the right location to helping arrange champagne. It was a pleasure to work with her and we would highly recommend her for any of the services she offers!”

Perfect proposal surprise and photo shooting in Gordes!

“Ashley helped me with my wedding proposal and we also had a wonderful photo shooting! The photos were amazing, the proposal was unbelievable! She brought us also some amazing local products to taste and a bottle of champagne to enjoy after the photo shooting with an amazing Gordes view! We definitely recommend her 200%!!! Thank you Ashley!”

The Most Memorable Experience of our Lives (I don’t think I can live up to this one!!…blushing…)

“This is NOT an exaggeration. 

I booked a couple of tickets from the United States to propose in southern France six months ago at a specific place in Marseille – the plans fell through 3 days before the proposal!! I scoured the internet for anyone who could help and Ashley, from Curious Provence, went above and beyond. Working with her should have been the original plan – she set up a proposal, in action, photo shoot in the beautiful village at Gordes. 

– Professional – Ashley answered right away and knew right questions to ask so that we can have the perfect proposal. Also offered tips that would get us the best photos of the moment. 
– Knowledgeable: She knew just what we were looking for based on the information she gathered. In less than 24 hours we had a plan laid out. She knew the perfect time to meet, sent directions and it all worked perfectly.
– Outstanding Work – Ashley arrived early and was there to capture the moment and brought a bottle of outstanding Rose for us to share. The photos we received were jaw dropping (attached)….

I hope she reads this to know that her customer service alone put me at ease in a very stressful situation and her quality of work and attention to detail is what has made this the best moment of our lives. Thank you.”

Best Photographer in Provence

“I hired Ashley as a photographer for my proposal. She captured the actual moment while posing as a tourist and subsequently took pictures of us for another hour. First of all, the photos she took are amazing! She also did an amazing job editing them. But she also spent time in advance communicating with me and finding the perfect lavender field to propose in. I would definitely hire her again!”

Absolutely Fantastic

“Ashley helped me plan my surprise proposal in the lavender fields and took absolutely wonderful photos of the morning! The tour and photos of Gordes and the market was very personal and authentic and she even prepared a lovely morning brunch for us to celebrate the occasion. Could not recommend enough 11/10!”

Photographer in Provence – proposal shoot

“Imagine you’re planning a proposal for which you’d like high quality pictures to be taken – this is already a stressful endeavor. Add into consideration that you live 6000 miles away (thats 9650 km) and somehow have to coordinate logistics and details with someone that you can trust to ensure that the event goes down without any issues. Good luck finding someone who can handle all of this and speak the same language that you do.

Enter Ashley, photographer and tour guide at Curious Provence/Photographer in Provence. Ashley gets it – not only does she understand the complications of logistics planning across continents, she demonstrated from the very beginning that she understands the magnitude of the event I was planning. Ashley requested that we do a preliminary meeting over zoom to hammer out the details so that we can be on the same page. She was patient, thorough, and extremely helpful in planning the details of our photo shoot in Oppede and Gordes. 

On the day of the shoot, we went out to meet Ashley in the lavender fields and had communicated using WhatsApp to make sure all was set. Ashley was even kind enough to pick up some champagne and fruit for the shoot. 

The shoot itself was great. Ashely took amazing pictures and was able to capture the surprise of the proposal and then used the remaining time of the photo shoot to create some incredible memories. Ashley will do everything she can to make sure that the pictures turn out great so as long as you listen to her instructions, you can’t go wrong.

If you’re looking for someone who will make your life easier and provide a very high quality product, you’ll be hard pressed to find someone better than Ashley.”