Tap to playA phone-first social montage
A vertical edit built to fill the screen on Reels and Stories while keeping the proposal at the center.
Orange County · Proposal & Engagement
One moment, kept in photographs and video.One moment, beautifully kept.
A relaxed proposal or engagement session in Orange County — beautiful photographs, cinematic video, or both, planned carefully around the surprise.Proposal & engagement photography and video in Orange County. Planned around your surprise.
$799 each · Photo or video
What would you like to see?
Proposal · Engagement Photos
Sample photographs
A relaxed session for the invitations, the save-the-dates, the website, and the wall — about 75 edited photos in a private gallery.
Proposal · Engagement Video
Something today. More tomorrow. The full feeling within a week.
The turnaround is part of the package — not a rush fee after the moment is over. Here is every deliverable you receive.
Tap to playThe finished highlight
The 60–90 second cinematic video
The full highlight — color graded, cut to licensed music, with natural audio when usable and two vertical cutdowns for social.
Tap to play
Play social montageA widescreen social montage
A cinematic horizontal cut for websites, feeds, and anywhere the full beach setting deserves room to breathe.
Love Stories
Proposal and engagement photography or video
Choose photographs, a cinematic video, or ask Michael to build a coordinated plan for both.
Proposal + Engagement Photography
Proposal & Engagement Photos
$799
Professional photography for the proposal itself, a relaxed engagement portrait session, or both together.
- 90 minutes of photography
- Approximately 75 professionally edited photographs
- Private gallery with high-resolution downloads
- Planning help for location, timing and a discreet surprise
- Gallery delivered within 21 calendar days
$799 total. A $199 retainer applies to the total; the remaining $600 is due 48 hours before the session. Reservations made inside 48 hours require full payment before confirmation.
Scope, changes and delivery terms
One client reschedule with at least 48 hours notice transfers all payments to an available date within 90 days, with no change fee. For shorter notice, Michael first tries to arrange an available alternative within 90 days.
If you cancel, the paid $600 coverage balance is refunded. Any deduction from the $199 retainer is limited to completed planning and documented nonrecoverable costs itemized in the written agreement; the unused portion is refunded.
Unsafe weather or a location closure allows a no-fee reschedule. If no workable alternative is available, or Merchan Films cannot deliver, all payments are refunded. Refunds are initiated within five business days; bank processing may take longer.
Proposal + Engagement Video
The Engagement Video
$799
One focused hour of cinematic coverage, followed by a same-day preview and a polished video within one week.
- 1 hour of video coverage at one Orange County location
- Same-day 5–10 second vertical preview
- 15-second social teaser delivered within 24 hours
- 60–90 second cinematic highlight delivered in 5–7 days
- Two vertical social cutdowns for Reels and Stories
- Color grading, licensed music, and natural audio when usable
- Private online delivery with high-resolution downloads and no watermarks
$799 total. $199 retainer applied to the total; $600 due 48 hours before the video shoot.
Add-ons: Drone footage — $149 · Engagement photography · Extra videography hour · Additional location
Photo and video are separate $799 offers. Both requires a coordinated availability and crew quote before reservation. Video drone add-on $149, subject to venue, weather and airspace approval; travel outside Orange County may add a fee.
How it works
From secret plan to finished gallery
Choose your coverage
Choose photography or video, then reserve an available time. Your retainer applies to the package total.
Protect the plan
Michael confirms the location, timing, and camera position so the surprise stays discreet.
Capture the moment
Be present for the proposal and enjoy relaxed portraits together. Michael takes care of the direction and details.
Start sharing
Receive your photographs or video through private online delivery, with the turnaround listed in your package.
Planning available in English and Spanish.
Reserve the moment
Choose your time
Choose photography or video to see Michael's live availability. Your booking retainer is applied to the package total.
Payment details
$799 total. A $199 retainer applies to the total; the remaining $600 is due 48 hours before the session. Reservations made inside 48 hours require full payment before confirmation.
Payment details
$799 total. $199 retainer applied to the total; $600 due 48 hours before the video shoot.
Want both? Ask Michael for a coordinated plan →
FAQ
Before you book
How much do proposal and engagement photos and videos cost?
Photography is $799 and the engagement video is $799 — book either on its own, or ask Michael to plan both together. For either service, a $199 retainer applies to the $799 total and the remaining $600 is due 48 hours before coverage. Photography reschedule, weather and refund terms are shown with the Photo package.
Can you photograph or capture a surprise proposal without giving it away?
Yes. We plan the camera position, arrival timing, landmarks, and a simple backup signal with you beforehand so the coverage stays discreet.
What do we receive from the video, and when?
You receive a 5–10 second vertical preview the same day, a 15-second social teaser within 24 hours, two vertical social cutdowns, and a 60–90 second cinematic highlight in 5–7 days. Everything is delivered privately with no watermarks.
What do we receive from a photography session?
From 90 minutes of photography you receive approximately 75 professionally edited photos in a private online gallery with high-resolution downloads in 2–3 weeks.
Can we book photography and video together?
Yes. Ask for a combined plan and the shoot is coordinated so the photos and video match in style and cover the moment from both angles.
Can we add drone shots?
Yes. Drone footage is a $149 add-on when the location, weather, and venue rules allow safe, legal flight.
Will you help us feel comfortable on camera?
Absolutely. Direction is simple and specific when you need it, but the goal is never to over-pose the moment — most of the strongest frames happen between prompts.
Planning a surprise?
Send the rough location and idea. Michael will help shape a discreet plan — for photos, video, or both — before you reserve.
Plan the Proposal →