How to Plan the Perfect Proposal in Grand Teton National Park (Without Overcomplicating It) -

💍 How to Plan the Perfect Proposal in Grand Teton National Park (Without Overcomplicating It)

I’ve photographed a lot of proposals in Grand Teton National Park — and let me tell you, every single guy says the same thing:

“I have no idea what I’m doing.”

Don’t worry — I’ve got you. Whether you want it to feel spontaneous or a little more planned, I’ve learned a few things that will make your proposal smooth, natural, and actually enjoyable (for both of you).

1️⃣ Keep It Simple

You don’t have to make it extravagant. You’re literally in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

If you want to keep it casual, all you have to do is say, “Hey, let’s take a picture here.” Boom. Done.

If I’m your photographer, I can pretend to be a random person taking photos of the mountains (very normal behavior in the Tetons). You can hand me your phone and say, “Hey, could you take our photo really quick?” and I’ll grab it like, “Yeah, of course!” — all while secretly knowing what’s about to happen. The second you drop to one knee, I’m already shooting.

2️⃣ Timing Is Everything

Please, please don’t wait until the very end of your photoshoot to propose.

You’ll both be nervous, I’ll be stalling, and it’ll just get awkward. The sweet spot is about 10 minutes in — enough time for her to warm up to the camera, but early enough that you both can actually enjoy the rest of the shoot after she says yes.

3️⃣ Lighting & Location

Listen to your photographer (ahem, me 😉). I know which spots look good at what time of day and how the light hits the mountains.

Here’s the thing a lot of people don’t realize: the best time to photograph the Tetons is actually mid-morning or mid-afternoon — not sunrise or sunset.

At sunrise and sunset, you lose all the detail in the mountains and it’s just harsh, tricky light to work with. During the day, the light hits the peaks perfectly, and the color tones are so much better.

If you book with me, I’ll send you my complete location guide with my favorite proposal spots — from quiet lakeside areas to those dramatic, jaw-dropping mountain backdrops.

4️⃣ Be Flexible

The mountains have their own moods.

It might rain, snow, or the peaks might hide behind clouds. Be flexible — I promise it’ll still be beautiful. Some of my favorite proposals have been in unexpected weather.

5️⃣ Dress for the Season

If it’s winter, dress warm. Like actually warm. (No, she won’t be able to “just tough it out” for the photos — trust me.)

If it’s windy, maybe skip the short dress. Little details like that make the experience so much smoother — and your photos will look even better.

6️⃣ Bonus: After the “Yes”

A lot of couples like to plan a special dinner afterward — and there are so many good options around Jackson.

Here are a few of my favorites: