Primrose Hill Surprise Proposal - She Said YES! (Katy and Dhanesh)

“If you are a looking for a photographer who will go above and beyond to capture your special moment, Stan is your man!

When you book someone 24 hours before your proposal on an Instagram strangers recommendation, you’re not sure what you’re going to get. But what was delivered were timeless memories that we, our friends and family will treasure for a lifetime. Such good photos that we booked him for our wedding, and once again Stan delivered!”

— Dhanesh

Long Shots Pay Off Sometimes

On Friday last week, I got a message from a nice chap called Dhanesh asking if I was free the next day for a surprise proposal in London. Long shot… but it paid off. I’m over the moon I took on the challenge.

There were so many variables and unknowns that could’ve gone wrong but despite everything Dhanesh executed the plan perfectly. And most important of all - Katy said YES!!!

We started at Primrose Hill where he proposed, and walked down to Camden Market where I photographed them being themselves and having some nice moments after the proposal.

About Me

Hi, I’m Stan and I’m a documentary wedding photographer based in Folkestone, Kent. I also enjoy working as a proposal photographer in London and the UK. My approach and style are all about beautifully capturing the candid moment - natural, authentic and unposed. Find out more about how I photograph proposals here.

Wedding Photographers Shooting Street Stuff in London

A while ago when I was first looking into wedding photography somebody said that street photography is the closest genre to weddings.

Back then it didn't make so much sense. I thought surely portrait photography is the closest, but now it makes perfect sense.

I think there is so much in common between street and wedding photography, in particular documentary wedding photography. You are just there with your camera and you are waiting for something to happen. Waiting to capture a moment and or capturing something still which is part of the story.

Wedding photography is like street photography on steroids. There is so much going on during weddings. Laughter, tears, wild moves, quiet and peaceful moments.

Below are some photos from my second attempt of street photography - this time I was joined by a gang of photographers. Olly, Becci, Charlotte and James.

And the gang…

Olly Knight - my mentor and friend (mentor in 2024, hopefully friend forever)

Charlotte Bradley

James Richard

Charlotte Bradley & Becci Wiles

My first experience with street photography wasn’t particularly enjoyable. It was way out of my comfort zone. I was on my own and dived right in the deep.

I jumped on a train from Folkestone to Canterbury through Dover. It was my first time on a train in the UK and I was trying to end up where I wanted, and not somewhere completely different.

Because of this I couldn’t really enjoy photographing much at the train stations. Then I went to Canterbury without a particular location in mind, and there wasn’t much going on. I felt like I was doing the wrong thing pointing a camera at strangers and didn’t enjoy it much.

I’m so glad the bad first experience didn’t stop me from doing the second one in London with the gang of photographers.

Looking forward to the next one!