Surprise Gift Ideas for Couples - Vikrant Photography

I have a confession to make: I LOVE capturing love!

Romantic couple’s shoots are one of my favorites themes to photograph, mainly because they symbolize hope, happiness, and intimacy, but also because they give me a chance to capture the beauty of being in love. And as a top Portrait Photographer based in Philadelphia, when you have photographed couples across different age groups like me, that side of love is what really shines in a couple’s photoshoot.

Every day is Valentine’s Day when you’re in love. And if you’re looking for some thoughtful surprise gift ideas to wow your partner, then you’ve come to the right place. While roses and chocolates are a classic and make for a good gift, a surprise couple’s photoshoot is a good idea to switch it up and try something unique this time!

Surprising your partner with a Valentine’s Day photoshoot is a great way to capture your love and create beautiful memories that will last you a lifetime. Plus, it will be a fun and intimate experience for both of you—and you can always end it in a romantic date night afterwards!

Whether you are celebrating your anniversary, your recent engagement, or simply want to do a spontaneous Valentine’s surprise for your partner, a couple’s shoot makes for a perfectly intimate gift. It allows you to be spontaneous and creative, while building memories that you can pass on to the next generation.

“But Vik, how do I plan a surprise AND keep it a secret?”

Here’s the thing: over the years, I have planned quite a few surprises for my wife. I’m not going to lie, some of them were tough to keep from her. But her absolute joy at the end of those surprises was well worth the wait, as I am sure it will be when you do it for your partner.

So, what do you keep in mind before you start planning the surprise? First, I’d suggest doing what I do: research, research, research! I like to be well-prepared and have a sense of what and how I want to do something, so I’ll say do that with your surprise photoshoot as well.

Creating mood boards on Pinterest can give you a good idea of your aesthetic for a romantic photoshoot inspiration. A lot will also depend on choosing the right photographer for your couple’s shoot, so for that I would suggest checking your options for available photographers or studios. You should check their portfolio (check mine here) and Google reviews (here are mine—I’m proud to be 5-star rated!) to see if they’re a good fit for you.

Next step is to choose your wardrobe. For this, I recommend wearing solid colors in neutral tones, with complementing makeup that looks as close to natural as possible, so that neither washes you out. Make sure you select outfits that take into mind the bright studio lights as well. Tip: Talk to your photographer beforehand and bring any props that tell your unique story, even if they’re sentimental to you, to capture genuine emotions.

Lucky for you, I am an award-winning Philadelphia-based Portrait photographer with an expertise in doing editorial-style couple’s photoshoots. When you book me, all you have to worry about is where to take your partner on a romantic date after the shoot! My team and I take care of everything, and make sure that your photoshoot is the best experience you’ve ever had.

While booking the photoshoot, it is important that you time it right, so that you can easily transition into a romantic date afterwards for you and your partner. You can either make reservations at your favorite restaurant or plan a sweet candlelight picnic in your favorite spot for the two of you, after you’ve completed the shoot.

Once you’ve booked your photoshoot, it’s time to reveal your surprise! On shoot day, start with a cozy and romantic breakfast in bed, and reveal your surprise photoshoot either as a riddle, or as a handwritten card with a heartfelt note telling them how you feel. Afterwards, you can relax by watching your favorite show or a romantic movie together, or doing something together that you both enjoy.

As you head to the studio for the photoshoot, make sure to reach on time so that my team of professional stylists and HMUAs can get you shoot-ready and looking like a celebrity in no time. The shoot should take about 2 hours, which includes 3-4 outfit changes. Once it is wrapped, you and your partner get to enjoy a freshly-popped bottle of bubbly, along with indulgent chocolates to pair with, on the house!

Your celebration doesn’t need to end here—surprise your partner with a lovely meal in a meaningful or favorite place, and extend your romantic date further! Reminiscence about your photoshoot in your conversation, and talk about how this shared experience has brought you closer together. Conclude the evening with a post-meal romantic stroll!