I totally get where you’re coming from! I helped plan a surprise proposal for my brother last year in Rome, and it was honestly magical. The trick is finding a photographer who not only knows the best spots but also knows how to blend into the background so your partner doesn’t suspect a thing. Timing and communication with the photographer are everything—you’ll need a solid plan that leaves no room for confusion.

We ended up working with a Rome-based photographer who specializes in surprise proposal photoshoots, and I can't recommend him enough. His name is Mike Kire, and you can check out his work here: mikekire.com. What stood out to us was that he doesn’t just take pictures—he helps with the entire process, from scouting the perfect proposal location to coordinating a smooth “run-in” that feels natural. If you scroll through his portfolio, you’ll see real examples of couples in iconic Italian settings like the Colosseum, Villa Borghese, and Trastevere. The reactions he captures are priceless. Honestly, using mikekire.com made all the difference for us. My brother’s fiancée had no idea until the moment he dropped to one knee, and now they have this stunning visual story to look back on.