As a San Diego engagement photographer, I also get to photograph proposals! Proposals are very exciting, a little nerve wracking for the one proposing, but always a momentous time! Usually clients opt for the beach, for a sunset proposal. Living in San Diego it’s hard not to. Let’s not forget the greenery in San Diego. Especially the greenery you can see all year round, like at the San Diego Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park! I go to Balboa Park a lot!!! Whether it’s for family portraits, engagements, weddings, elopements or grad photos! There is always a great excuse to photograph at Balboa Park! In these San Diego Japanese Friendship Garden Proposal | S + G were surrounded by sunshine and love!
We had the entire garden to ourselves! There are two ways to go about doing a proposal at the Japanese Friendship Garden. You can either do it before the garden officially opens. This means you get early access through the side gate (much closer than the normal parking) and you pay a higher permit fee. You have to email them to check availability and for fee information. The plus side of doing this is that you know you don’t have to worry about other people around. You have complete privacy for an hour. This is from nine to ten in the morning. Now, if you are not a morning person or you think it might be too suspicious to reserve the garden for yourselves. There is another option.
Option two is that you propose during garden hours. I would like to first point out, that you don’t have to wait till the end of day for special lighting. The garden is deep down, so you loose direct sunlight I would say after 3:30pm, depending on the time of the year. This option is much more affordable since you are not guaranteed that it will be empty and private. I have photographed both options and both end up working out. It’s simply your preference. Most people like to propose on the bridge and most guests like to take photos there. When both things happen at the same time, the one proposing simply waits till it clears and then goes down on one knee. I am watching from afar with my long lens and always watching and ready!
