Surprise Marriage Proposal Photography at Grandview Surf Beach in Encinitas, California
Girlfriend to fiancé…
In the fall of 2021, I received a message from a sweetheart named Andria. She was coming to San Diego to visit her boyfriend, Lake, who lived here and worked in the Navy. They were dating long distance at the time and had never had professional photos taken - that’s where I come in.
These two humans were young and in love and such kind souls. We clicked immediately and kept in touch. They have since moved to New Mexico together and have been together for five years. When Andria shot me a message saying they were coming back to San Diego for a visit and wanted to schedule another photoshoot, I was elated! But wait, it got even better. Lake reached out and informed me that he was bringing a ring.
The plan…
I wish you could’ve seen my face when I read that message! Biggest. Smile. Ever. It was time to start planning the perfect surprise! Since Andria set up a couples session already, we decided to simply elevate it. We met up a Grandview Beach in Encinitas, California and enjoyed the ocean views. After about 10 minutes or so of couples portraits, it was time.
Let me fill you in on the master plan. I had Andria and Lake stand back to back. This was the first prompt that created a beautiful image but also gave Lake a moment to mentally prepare. Next, we set up a “duel.” I had Andria take five steps and pause until I said to turn around. Lake got down on one knee, pulled out the ring box, and asked Andria to marry him. Suddenly, their couples photoshoot became an engagement session. We wandered along the beach, capturing candid moments — every shot was filled with laughter and love.
Photographing Andria and Lake’s journey has been a reminder of why I love what I do. It's more than just taking pictures; it's about telling stories and capturing moments that reflect the essence of the people I photograph and the lives they’ve built. Whether it's the thrill of a surprise proposal or the quiet moments in between, every image holds a piece of their story.
If you’re planning a proposal or simply want to capture the magic of your relationship, let’s create something beautiful together. Here’s to love, adventure, and the stories that connect us all. Click here to connect!
Flashback…
