Behind the scenes of a surprise proposal in Ortigia, Sicily| Behind the Scenes

A special moment by the sea in Siracusa

Some photography assignments stay with you. Not only because of the moment itself, but also because of everything that happens before it.

Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph a surprise proposal in Ortigia, the beautiful historic part of Siracusa, Sicily. And this time, I was involved in much more than just taking the photographs.

Behind the scenes of a surprise proposal in Ortigia, Sicily

It all started when he contacted me through my website. He was planning to propose to his girlfriend during their stay in Sicily, and she had absolutely no idea what was coming.

They were staying in Noto, so together we started looking at possible locations in the surrounding area.

I suggested several places that I thought could be beautiful for such a special moment. Somewhere with a lovely atmosphere, a beautiful view and enough space to enjoy the moment without too many people around.

But photographs on the internet don't always tell the whole story.

Finding the right location

While I was in Sicily, I visited his two favourite locations myself.

I wanted to see what they were really like. How busy were they? What did the surroundings look like? Would they actually work for a surprise proposal?

These are the little things that can make a big difference, especially when you're planning something that needs to remain a complete surprise.

Eventually, we chose a beautiful spot along the coast of Ortigia, overlooking the sea.

With the historic city of Siracusa in the background and the Mediterranean just beside us, it was a wonderful setting for such a personal moment.

Behind the scenes of the proposal

On the day itself, everything came together.

She had no idea what was about to happen, while I was there, ready to capture the moment as naturally as possible.

For me, that's what photography is all about. The real emotions, the unexpected reactions and those little moments that can't be planned.

Someone who accompanied me also took a few behind-the-scenes photographs while I was working. These are the images I'm sharing in this blog, together with some photographs of beautiful Ortigia.

The couple prefers to keep their own photographs private, which I completely respect.

But I still wanted to share a little of the story behind this special assignment.

Why I love photographing in Sicily

Sicily has a special place in my heart. My family and I have a place on the island, so I get to spend time here regularly.

I love the atmosphere, the beautiful coastline, the old streets and the way the light changes throughout the day.

Ortigia is one of those places where you can simply walk around and discover something beautiful around every corner.

And being able to combine my love for Sicily with my work as a photographer makes assignments like this even more special.

Whether it's a surprise proposal, an intimate wedding or a relaxed couples' photoshoot, I love capturing moments as they naturally unfold.

Planning your own special moment in Sicily?

Are you thinking about proposing in Sicily or planning an intimate wedding somewhere on the island?

I'd love to hear your plans.

I photograph weddings and special moments in Sicily, including Taormina, Siracusa and the surrounding areas.

You can also discover more about my wedding photography on my Weddings Sicily page.

Anouk Vermeulen

Documentary wedding photographer in Sicily, Malta & the Netherlands