I absolutely love surprise proposals as there is so much excitement, happiness and joy that the couple gets to experience. That’s why when Sam asked me to photograph his surprise proposal to Vanessa at North Avenue Beach in Chicago I just had to say yes! Being able to capture this special moment between these two lovely people was such a great time and I can’t wait to share the photos with you.

North Avenue Beach for a Proposal

Before we get into Sam’s proposal to Vanessa I thought it would be helpful to give you a little info on what it’s like to propose at North Avenue Beach and what you should expect. North Ave Beach is one of if not THE most popular proposal spots in Chicago, and for good reason. Being right on the water of Lake Michigan, having an incredible view of the Chicago skyline, and being so close to Chicago’s downtown and all of its attractions make it the perfect spot. You have a great backdrop for the proposal, a great location to walk around for the session after, and endless options for places to head to after to celebrate this next chapter of life you two are about to head into! With its popularity, there are some things to be aware of though.

When planning your proposal at North Avenue Beach it’s important to keep in mind that this is an incredibly popular location in Chicago. This means that unless you go for a sunrise proposal you’ll more than likely have other people present for your proposal. If you’re fine with some onlookers while you get down on one knee and a bunch of people cheering as your partner says yes then this is totally fine! It also makes it easier for your photographer (me!) to blend in so your partner doesn’t get suspicious. If you’d like a bit more privacy though opt for a sunrise proposal to avoid the crowds!

Sam’s Proposal to Vanessa

Sam picked the perfect spot for the proposal at North Avenue Beach with hardly anyone around them and a perfect view of the Chicago skyline behind them. I LOVE the emotion that comes from a surprise proposal and it was such a treat capturing how happy both Vanessa and Sam were in this moment. Once Vanessa had said yes and the two were officially engaged we took our time walking around North Ave Beach and captured some incredible photos of them together to celebrate this moment. We strolled along the sand, frolicked through the water, and even popped some champagne for the occasion making the proposal a total success!

I’m SO happy that I was able to capture Sam’s surprise proposal to Vanessa at North Avenue Beach. A proposal is such a special moment in your relationship and capturing it is one of my favorite parts of being a photographer. If you’re looking for a photographer to capture your proposal you know I’d love to be a part of it! Head to my contact page so we can start to plan out your proposal!