Rob & Jill Futrell
St. Augustine Proposal Photographer
We hide. You propose. We capture their reaction.
Proposal Photography Portfolio
Lightner Museum courtyards, beach sunsets, sandbar picnics — every proposal is different. Here are some of our favorite moments.
Awards & Recognition
Recent Proposals & Engagements
Here's what we've been working on recently — surprise proposals and engagement sessions captured throughout St. Augustine and Northeast Florida.
Rob & Jill — Proposal Photographers
Two Photographers. Two Angles. One Moment.
Every proposal we shoot has both of us there—two cameras, two angles, capturing both sides of the moment. Rob is positioned for the wide shot while Jill captures the close-up reaction, or vice versa. You only get one chance at this, and having a second shooter means we never miss it. We've been doing this since 2014 and we've never blown anyone's cover.
How Surprise Proposal Photography Works
Here's exactly what happens so you can focus on the ring (and the question).
Contact us 2-3 weeks before (or sooner if needed). Share your plan, location ideas, and timing.
We finalize the location, backup plans, and timing. Then we hand-draw a map showing exactly where we'll be hiding and where you need to walk.
We arrive early, set up flower petals if you want them, and get into position. You won't see us until after the question.
Both of us shoot the moment from two angles—one wide, one tight. You get the proposal and the reaction in the same instant.
15-20 minutes of couples photos right after. You're engaged—let's capture that glow.
Edited images generally within 24 hours. You'll have photos to share before the excitement wears off.
Nights of Lights Proposal Photography
November through January, downtown St. Augustine transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of white lights draped across every building, tree, and lamppost. It's one of the most romantic settings in Florida for proposal photography.
The lights create stunning bokeh in photos, turning ordinary street corners into magical backdrops. We've captured proposals at Flagler College with the tower glowing behind, at the Plaza surrounded by illuminated palms, and along St. George Street where every storefront sparkles.
Nights of Lights proposals require extra planning—crowds are larger and positioning is trickier—but the results are worth it. The colorful light reflections, the festive atmosphere, the cozy winter vibe. Your proposal photos will look like something from a holiday movie.
Pro tip: Weeknight evenings (Tuesday-Thursday) have smaller crowds and easier parking. We'll help you pick the perfect timing.
Best Places to Propose in St. Augustine
Not sure where to pop the question? Here are proposal spots we've used successfully—each offers something different, and we can help you choose based on your partner's style.
Lightner Museum Courtyard
Our most popular proposal spot. The enclosed courtyard means privacy without sacrificing grandeur — Spanish Renaissance arches, a stone bridge over the koi pond, and naturally beautiful light.
Plaza de la Constitucion
Historic downtown with sunset views of the Cathedral Basilica. Quintessentially St. Augustine. Absolutely stunning during Nights of Lights season.
St. Augustine Beach
Classic sunset proposal on the Atlantic. We position down the beach with a long lens. Anastasia State Park is less crowded than downtown hotspots.
Castillo de San Marcos
America's oldest masonry fort with panoramic bay views and Bridge of Lions. The 17th-century coquina walls feel significant and timeless.
Washington Oaks Gardens
Secluded state park with formal gardens and a dramatic coquina rock beach. Privacy away from downtown crowds with incredible variety.
Magnolia Avenue
A canopy of ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Timeless Southern charm with dappled light filtering through the trees.
Not sure which location fits? We'll help you pick the perfect spot during our planning call.
Seasonal & Special Proposal Ideas
Every season in St. Augustine offers something different for proposals. Here's what works best throughout the year.
Picnic Proposals
Luxury pop-up picnic setups are a beautiful way to propose in St. Augustine. Whether you hire a setup company or do it yourself, we can help with rose petals, styling, and choosing the right spot. The styled scene photographs beautifully and gives us multiple angles to work with while we stay hidden.
Valentine's Day Proposals
Valentine's Day is a popular time for surprise proposals. Sunset timing pairs naturally with dinner or drinks afterward, and during winter months the Lightner Museum courtyard is illuminated as part of the Nights of Lights celebration.
Sunset Cruise Proposals
The Schooner Freedom offers romantic sunset sails on Matanzas Bay — water views, the St. Augustine skyline, and a built-in celebration moment. We've also photographed proposals on private sandbar trips and chartered boats on the Intracoastal.
Proposal Photography Pricing
Every proposal package includes a planning consultation, two-photographer coverage of the moment, celebration portraits, and edited images generally delivered within 24 hours.
- Planning consultation
- Two photographers, two angles
- 80–120 edited images
- Celebration portraits (15-20 min)
- Online gallery with download rights
- Same-day highlights sent
- Everything in Surprise Proposal
- Full engagement session at a later date
- Different location for variety
- Save-the-date ready images
- Bundle savings vs. booking separately
What Couples Say
After they said yes
M
"Rob and Jill were absolutely phenomenal. They worked with very short notice and were able to capture my surprise proposal so well. The photos came back very quickly and they looked absolutely amazing. Thank you."
J
"I've worked with Rob on a few projects by this point and wanted to take a minute to write a review for anyone searching for a great photographer. First, let me say that Rob's passion for photography is infectious and gets everyone excited who works with him. Then, when you see the quality of his work, you know you've picked the right photographer. His professionalism and dedication to his craft is awestrucking. Rob's vision and the way that he captures a picture and makes you feel like you are part of the moment is simply beautiful. From professional headshots, to parties, proposals, weddings, maternity photos and all of the things in between, Rob would be the perfect photographer to follow you and capture all of your beautiful moments in life."
Proposal Photography FAQ
Everything you need to know about planning your surprise
2-3 weeks is ideal for proposal photography. This gives us time to scout the location and plan positioning. That said, we've pulled off proposals with less than a week's notice—reach out even if your timeline is tight.
Not if we do our job right! Both of us arrive early and position ourselves in separate spots—two different angles means complete coverage of the moment. We blend into the scenery, often pretending to photograph something else. We've never blown anyone's cover yet.
We always discuss backup plans during our planning call. Many indoor locations work beautifully for proposals—Lightner Museum courtyard, restaurant private rooms, even the covered areas of downtown. We'll have options ready.
Yes! After capturing your proposal, we do a bonus 15-20 minute celebration session on the spot. Many couples also book a full engagement session a few months later at a different location.
Planning consultation with a hand-drawn map of the location, two-photographer hidden coverage of the proposal moment (both Rob and Jill shooting from different angles), flower petals if you want them, and celebration portraits immediately after. We generally have your edited images back within 24 hours. Starting at $650.
Absolutely. We know which spots work best for different times of day, seasons, and styles. Check out our guide to the 12 best proposal spots in St. Augustine, or we'll help you pick the perfect spot during our planning call.
Surprise proposal photography starts at $650, which includes planning consultation, hidden coverage of the moment, celebration portraits after, and all edited images. Pricing varies based on location complexity and timing—Nights of Lights proposals and remote locations may have additional fees. Contact us for a custom quote.
You'll want to look nice but not suspiciously dressed up—your partner might catch on! We recommend smart casual that fits the location. Solid colors photograph better than busy patterns. Your partner will be wearing whatever they normally would, so the focus is really on the moment, not the outfits.
The hidden portion is typically 15-30 minutes (we arrive early to get positioned). The proposal itself is just a few magical minutes. Afterward, we do a 15-20 minute celebration session for portraits together. Total time from our arrival to wrapping up is usually about an hour.
