Surprise Marriage Proposal at Coronado Beach in San Diego, California
Nevynne first reached out with what I’d call a well-organized espionage-level game plan. The mission: surprise his girlfriend of six years, Nikka, with a beachside proposal that felt deeply personal and genuinely them. He recruited her sister to take her to get her nails done a few days prior, and since this was the first time their families were celebrating the holidays with them in San Diego, he hinted that they should dress up and take family pictures at Coronado Beach. Very sneaky!
While Nikka made her way to the spot, I was there with Nevynne, their families, and a poster board full of printed memories from all their years together that Nevynne put together. How cute is that?! We were hiding just off the path, out of view, adrenaline buzzing. I played my role as “random beachgoer with a nice camera” as Nikka made her way down the beach. Soon, she saw Nevynne in the distance and realized what was about to happen.
Nevynne pulled the blanket off the poster to reveal his masterpiece. They reveled in their memories together before Nevynne got on one knee. Spoiler alert: she said yes. They turned to find their families in tears and cheering for them.
We transitioned into taking some engagement portraits and of course some classic ring shots. A diamond like that deserves a moment of its own! We pranced around in the sand, basked in the golden glow, and captured all of the post-proposal giddiness. We concluded our session splashing around in the waves followed by a stellar champagne pop.
From the very first message, Nevynne was clear:
“I really want a special photographer that can make the most of this proposal because I’m putting my heart into it.”
The honor wasn’t lost on me. There’s nothing better than capturing proposals like this one—honest, thoughtful, and filled with love in the details. This was more than capturing a proposal—it was capturing a celebration of a relationship that’s grown, shifted, and survived a pandemic, moves, and new jobs.
Nevynne and Nikka are two of the loveliest people I’ve met and their families were so wonderful and welcoming. It was so special to be there to witness and capture such an amazing, monumental moment in their lives. Cheers to y’all and this new era!
Planning your own proposal or just want photos that feel like you (not a Pinterest board)?
Whether you're pulling off a top-secret plan or just want to document your love with intention, I’m here for you. Let’s chat about your vision and schedule your own special photo session! Contact me here.
