Morgan & Leah’s Surprise Picnic Proposal at the Sedona Heritage Museum
When Morgan first reached out to me about helping with his surprise proposal to Leah in Sedona, he didn’t have many details beyond knowing he wanted to make it perfect. We brainstormed several different options for locations, and in the end the privacy and relaxed seclusion of a surprise picnic proposal setup at the Sedona Heritage Museum won out!
On the day of, the museum manager and picnic setup provider were integral parts of the surprise. We worked together to make sure the experience was perfect for Leah, while maintaining the surprise (easier said than done!) I can tell you that as a photographer, few types of sessions are more stressful than surprise proposals. They are definitely nerve racking for everyone involved until the actual proposal is done.
They began with a private picnic, followed by a short walk to explore the grounds. This is when Morgan dropped to one knee and popped the question! To all of our relief, Leah was overjoyed and said yes (times a thousand) immediately, and we could all take a deep breath.
We explored the nearby trail system a bit, along with the Sedona History Museum grounds for portraits of the excited couple for the next hour as the sun began to set and create a vibrant glow on the red rocks as we finished our time together. The happy couple then met their families who had been waiting in secret to celebrate the good news!
Kind words from the couple:
Shannon was a joy to work with. She helped me set up the perfect proposal plan for me and my fiancée. For someone who has never been to Sedona, she gave me plenty of ideas to work with. We had so much fun capturing our special moment with Shannon and the pictures are breathtaking. We will truly cherish them forever.
~ Morgan Karloff
Below are the vendors who helped make this surprise picnic proposal perfect!
- Venue: Sedona Heritage Museum
- Picnic & Charcuterie setup: Sedona Picnics
Hi! I’m Shannon Durazo
A former project manager turned your Southwest elopement photographer, go-to problem solver, and Adventure Buddy
Are you ready for a nature-filled wedding or an epic elopement adventure? I’m here to do more than take photos—I’m here to help you create a day that feels as incredible as it looks. From scouting jaw-dropping locations and sharing vendor recommendations to crafting timelines that catch that golden-hour magic, we’re building more than a wedding day; we’re creating art while putting your experience first. Whether it’s hiking a mountain, off-roading to a secret spot, or chasing sunsets, we’ll make memories as unique and extraordinary as your love story.
I specialize in capturing both intimate elopements and weddings in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Northern New Mexico.
