Communicate with the photographer on your proposal plans. Call, text or email and make sure they have the information they will need. What time do you plan to propose? What props will you use, if any? What does the photographer need to look out for, in case they haven't seen the proposal site? In this story, we had to be flexible. I hadn't seen the proposal site, but had an idea of how I wanted to capture the images.
Photographers...be prepared to nix any ideas you might have! Always look for ways to recompose an image. Proposals don't usually happen in the places that would be ideal for you. You might not have the ideal lens on your camera...if that happens, no big deal! Just keep shooting with the gear you're already using. Changing gear as the proposal happens mean missing a hug, kiss or laugh. Move around to ensure you are capturing expressions of everyone involved. Don't feel like you have to stay in one place, unless you have to remain hidden.
3. Pretend it's a family photo night.
Or maybe just plan real family photos and it just so happens that you are engaged by the end of the night! A crazy Saturday afternoon, the weekend following Thanksgiving, you jump in the shower really fast and make sure your outfit is complete. You then do a double take on everyone else's hair and outfits. You know the day, you're distracted. It's so easy to miss all of the little details, like the reason your kid keeps popping out of the truck with the iPhone in hand. He gets in trouble. You carry on with family photos.