Surprise Engagement Proposal at U of M Stadium in Ann Arbor - Vivian + Aaron

What is more Ann Arbor than making a life changing decision at the Big House with a photographer to capture it all?!

When Aaron contacted me and said he was planning to propose to his girlfriend Vivian at Michigan Stadium and that he was looking for someone to photograph it, I couldn’t say yes fast enough! Anything that is a surprise is my absolute FAVORITE. It’s so fun to think about how Vivian walked into the Stadium a girlfriend and walked out a FIANCEE and had no idea that her day would end up like that. As were walking out afterward, Vivian said “I thought he was going to propose to me at the Taylor Swift concert.” If anything can compete with Love Story, it’s probably this.

So here’s how it went down:

As usual when you plan to photograph a proposal

you have one of two options: figure out how you’re going to get in place and hide before the big moment happens, or decide that you will hide in plain sight and come up with a believable cover story as to why you’re there, presumably doing something else. My initial plan was to hide in the stands and pop out when the time came, but ultimately we decided it would be better if I could be on the field under the guise of taking pictures for another purpose. With help from Roger the tour guide, Vivian was only under the impression that I was there on the field taking pictures for another purpose. This was way more ideal because it helped me be closer to them as soon as it started, and to not have to worry about poking my head out and trying not to be seen while figuring out when it was happening. In general, I think it’s super normal for photographers to be everywhere these days, so hiding in plain sight is pretty easy, and I recommend it as long as whoever is getting proposed to isn’t hyper vigilant or suspicious that it may happen anyway. So while Aaron and Vivian continued their tour to the middle of the field, I continued to take pictures of an empty stadium as if I had been hired to do that.

One thing I make sure to do while photographing a proposal if possible

is to remain at a respectful distance to preserve the intimacy of the moment and let everything unfold naturally without adding to the nerves that are an inevitable part of these moments. I have no idea what Aaron said to Vivian, and I’d like to think that makes me the most invisible I could possible be in this situation, without an invisibility cloak. I love that they had this private moment together, in the middle of a stadium that is typically filled with 100,000 screaming people meant to observe what’s going on exactly where they were standing. If you’ve never been in the stadium alone, it’s definitely worth looking into— it’s so eerily quiet and calm, and makes you feel like you’re experiencing something really unique. But I didn’t need to hear what was said. The look on both of their faces says it all (look at how happy Vivian looks!!)

After Vivian said yes to Aaron, we took some time to take pictures to celebrate the occasion (because you gotta have photos to post or did the engagement even happen?!) One of my favorite things about being around people who are freshly engaged is how they are radiating happiness (see this previous blog post) and also that the ring receiver cannot stop staring at their new bling. This is why I always suggest making time for pictures and a full session right after the event. If I could bottle that lovestruck energy and bring it to every session, I would.

Check out how the sun was hitting Vivian’s ring perfectly in this photo with the scoreboard in the background!

Also of note: this proposal happened mid march, on a day that was unusually warm and sunny— but Aaron was wearing a coat because he needed a place to put the ring box that wouldn’t be obvious. (Jewelers: why have we not transitioned to more discreet box designs yet?? Someone get on that. And put me on the copyright lol).

The Lloyd Carr Tunnel is a must for photo opps, with THE TEAM THE TEAM THE TEAM famously staggered on the ceiling, and of course a silhouette backlit shot with the sun streaming in from the outside. I would also like to petition for someone to change the color of the carpet in there. Because reddish brown…. why. Anyway!

When you’re planning a surprise proposal in Ann Arbor and you want it to be photographed, think about this:

First of all (and this should go without saying) always be mindful of other events going on in the city on the day you plan to propose. One of my worst fears as a photographer is being late, which is why I’m always obscenely early to everything. If there is a scenario in which something could go wrong, I am imagining it happening and figuring out ways to get around it. Even if these things are unlikely to happen (thanks anxiety!) So if you’re planning to propose, maybe don’t do it on a football Saturday, or downtown during the Art Fair in July. Make sure that wherever it’s taking place, you can come up with a great plan with the photographer, and find a place that is easy enough to access that it will go down without a hitch.

Second: there are so many good places to propose in Ann Arbor, but as is my MO, I’m going to suggest that when choosing a place, don’t choose based of off what other people have done or what you think a good place is supposed to be. What if the best place is your backyard? What if it’s at a food truck where you had your first date, or at a park where you went on your first walk, or outside of a restaurant where you had your first kiss? (Mine was at Ashley’s lol) Basically what I’m saying is: engagement photos are epic in and of themselves, so don’t overthink it by trying to do it in an epic place, unless that makes sense for you.

If Michigan Stadium makes sense for you, or you’re just looking to take a tour, check out their website for details on how to do so. Shout out to Roger and the staff who were so helpful and worked with Aaron and I to pull this together!