Trusting the Process: A Stormy Proposal at Keukenhof

Not every proposal happens under blue skies. Some happen with rain, wind, nerves, and a lot of trust.

This proposal was a gift. A close friend of the couple contacted me in advance because he knew a proposal was coming and wanted to give them the experience and the photos. From the start, the plan was clear: I would focus on capturing the proposal itself, coordinate with him, and let everything else unfold naturally.

The day, however, had other ideas. The weather forecast was fully stormy. Heavy rain, strong wind, no guarantees. We discussed options, but proposals are not like other photo sessions. You can’t always change the timing without changing the entire emotional setup. Keukenhof is a maze, and once people are inside and committed to a route, changing plans can create more stress than comfort. So they decided to continue, exactly as planned.

I was worried, of course. That’s part of caring about the work. I waited nearby, expecting they might postpone or take shelter. Instead, I received a message saying they were on their way, wearing transparent rain covers. No location sharing, no preview photos, just trust and timing. And then I saw them. A couple walking through Keukenhof in clear rain ponchos. The friend made eye contact with me. That was the signal. The proposal happened right there, in the rain, with plastic covers and genuine emotion. It was intimate, unexpected, and very real. Those moments mattered, and they were captured exactly as they happened.

Afterwards, I suggested we warm up, get a coffee, and wait. Keukenhof in April is unpredictable, but it almost always offers a dry window if you’re patient. We stayed flexible. I guided them through the gardens, kept an eye on the light, and when the rain passed, the sun came out.

We revisited the moment, recreated the proposal gently without pressure, and captured a second version, this time calm, bright, and relaxed. Both sets of images tell the story of the day: the nerves, the rain, the relief, and the joy.

There is also a photograph of the couple with the friend who made this gift possible. That image matters too. Proposals don’t happen in isolation. They’re often supported quietly by people who care.

I’m sharing this story because it reflects how I approach proposals in general. Weather changes. Plans shift. Nerves rise. My role is to stay steady, read the situation, and guide people through it. I don’t cancel lightly because of rain, and I don’t panic when conditions aren’t ideal. Experience teaches you when to wait, when to move, and when to trust that the moment will come. And it almost always does.

If you’re planning a proposal in Keukenhof or anywhere outdoors in the Netherlands, know this: stormy weather doesn’t mean failed photos. Sometimes it means a fuller story, and often, a better one.

Until next time in Amsterdam,

Joanna

Your Photographer in Amsterdam