Proposal & Engagement Photography in Madison, Wisconsin

Proposal in Madison, Wisconsin woman holding roses man down on his knee with the ring state Capitol is in the background

Summer Golden-hour Proposal In Downtown Madison

Proposals are one of the things that still get my adrenaline pumping. There is just so much anticipation, ideally not really for the answer. If you’re confident enough to plan a proposal with a professional photographer you hopefully have talked about it a decent amount with your partner too.

It’s the months of planning and messaging coming to a conclusion. Things falling into place one by one.

On this day we had:

  • Perfect Madison summer weather

  • Ideal evening golden hour light

  • The area had no events and wasn’t too crowded

I love helping plan proposals in Madison, or anywhere else. To these two, Madison was a super important place for the proposal and we wanted to show that off in the photos. This spot lines up with the Wisconsin State Capitol building and Monona Terrace, two big city landmarks. I love how all the buildings from this perspective radiate out from the capitol. 

It’s really important to pick a place for your proposal that is not only beautiful, but meaningful to both of you. It adds a layer of depth to the moment and the photos. 


One thing that is always just a little tricky after planning the spot is getting the other half there. It isn’t always super simple. Megan was with her friend and proposal accomplice and they were already at Bel Air Cantina and it was tough to get them to come down to us with Leo, the roses, and the ring. It took a little convincing to get Megan away from the tacos to come enjoy the views.

View of the Wisconsin State Capitol building in Summer during golden hour
Proposal preparation, photo, picking the perfect location for the proposal man holding bouquet of roses Summer in Madison Wisconsin
Proposal anticipation to guys on their phones, standing in the golden hour, light in Madison Wisconsin during the summer, waiting for the proposal
Proposal preparation, man, holding bouquet of roses, texting on his phone, wearing a nice watch in a very nice blue shirt
Man, waiting at proposal location, hiding in downtown, Madison, Wisconsin

The Moment Arrives

The scene unfolded like a movie. Megan rounded the corner towards us, and Leo emerged from his hiding place with a whole bouquet of roses. Immediately you can see the surprise and look of astonishment on her face as she immediately realizes what is about to happen. 

She even glanced over and made eye contact with the camera as I went from looking as casual as I could with my dual camera harness to quickly hustling into position and taking a ton of photos to capture the moment from the perfect angle.

I will say, Leo missed his x on the floor by about two tiles. But I guess we gotta give him some slack. This sequence is one of my favorite proposals of all time. With the perfect golden light illuminating everything behind them they had an incredible moment together. 

For your proposal, first looks, private vows I always back up and give you space. But bring everything much closer with a telephoto lens. This was with my favorite 105mm 1.4 lens. It gives a really beautiful perspective and makes everything around you melt away. Like it should for your proposal. 

Proposal woman walks in with friend man, emerges with a bouquet of roses and walks towards her. Smiling she reacts in shock on the boardwalk to the Monona Terrace in Madison Wisconsin.
Proposal and Madison Wisconsin he's handing her a bouquet of roses. She looks very surprised it's Summer.

Absolutely one of the cutest sequences of images I have ever taken.

Proposal and Madison, Wisconsin viewing the capital in the background. He's on one knee with the ring box open the ring is visible she's crying holding the bouquet of roses perfect summer golden hour.
Proposal in Madison Wisconsin he put the ring on her finger. They are now engaged. She's holding up of roses, her hair covering her face.
Proposal in Madison Wisconsin he is holding a bouquet of roses. She is wrapping her arms around him the capitals in the view behind them you can see the ring on her finger they're leaning in for a kiss.
Proposal reaction he is picking her up. She's got the ring on holding a bouquet of roses the capitals in the background perfect golden hour summer evening.
Proposal reaction she's got her arms around him, holding the bouquet of roses and her engagement ring on her hand. He's lifting her off the ground, swinging her in a circle very happy in the background.
After the proposal, they're not engaged, she's still holding the bouquet of roses. He's smiling at the camera she's looking at him smiling the capital is in the background perfect golden hour, light around them Jean jacket.
After their proposal together for a hug, she's holding a bouquet of roses in Madison Wisconsin
Holding a bucket of roses, after a proposal, alert and engagement, both smiling behind them

Time to Celebrate

As their photographer, it was an honor to capture the magic of Megan & Leo's special evening. From the intimate  moments shared between them to the stunning portraits after the proposal. It was a beautiful summer evening in the city, everything seemed to slow down around them. 

We could not have done it without Leo’s helpers. What amazing friends to have and be there with you for such a special moment.

With the sun illuminating the city behind them these are photos that people have pointed to consistently and said “I want our photos to look like that” and they will. I can almost promise you that. I can’t control the weather yet, but I am working on it.

After their proposal, she is showing off her ring to her friend, holding her bouquet of roses that her fiancé gave her in Madison Wisconsin
A photo of the engaged couple, and their friends in accomplices to the secrets, surprise proposal, and Madison
Soaking in the views from the top of the Monona Terrace across the fountain, and the cityscape behind them he is holding her hand, looking at her engagement ring. They're both smiling down, looking at the ring.
After proposing and getting engaged and Madison Wisconsin, this couple is up on the Monona Terrace smiling, looking at her ring on her hand
A close-up view of a solitaire engagement ring with a gold band is a large center stone probably about two or three carrots
Of the helpers for the proposal two friends, who helped surprise Megan for the proposal in Madison

Summer In Madison

There is just a special feeling about summer evenings in Madison. You can feel the spotted cow, and Babcock ice cream in the air. The way the light comes into downtown over Lake Mendota is phenomenal. I love the proximity of green spaces, more urban scenes, and the lakeshore. 

With almost too many good spots for photos on these perfect summer days. It gets hard to pick a spot to actually go to. This area on the Monona Terrace side of the Capitol Building always gets beautiful soft light in the evening.

Engaged couple, holding hands, looking at each other, walking towards the Wisconsin state Capitol building
Newly engaged couple walking together, holding hands towards the Wisconsin state building
Couple opposing looking at the camera, but smiling her hand is on his chest with her engagement ring and view standing in the center of Martin Luther King Blvd. and Madison Wisconsin, looking towards the Wisconsin State Capitol building
Embracing kissing in the center of the street, looking towards the Wisconsin state building everything is beautiful and perfect summer day behind them close to sunset

Final Thoughts:

It’s such an honor to help transform an idea into an extraordinary moment and unforgettable experience for my couples. If you're dreaming of your own proposal or engagement session in the heart of Madison, I would be honored to capture the beauty and joy of your story. Let's connect and bring your vision to life, one photograph at a time

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