Viewing entries tagged
bay area engagement photographers

A Picture-Perfect Proposal: Daniel and Elizabeth's Sunny Afternoon at Twin Lakes Beach, Santa Cruz, CA

A Picture-Perfect Proposal: Daniel and Elizabeth's Sunny Afternoon at Twin Lakes Beach, Santa Cruz, CA

In the golden embrace of a sunny afternoon at the picturesque Twin Lakes Beach in Santa Cruz, CA, a moment unfolded that was nothing short of a fairytale. It was here, with the iconic Walton Lighthouse standing majestically in the background, that Daniel chose to embark on a lifelong journey of love and commitment with Elizabeth, a momentous occasion that I had the privilege of capturing through my lens.

Daniel and Elizabeth, accompanied by their adorable black dog adorned with a red handkerchief, brought a delightful touch of familial warmth to the shoot. Their furry companion seemed to sense the love in the air, adding a playful and heartwarming element to the already blissful occasion. Each frame captured not just two people in love but a small, happy family ready to face the world together.

As the gentle waves kissed the shores and the lighthouse stood as a beacon of hope and steadfastness, Daniel knelt, and with a proposal, promised forever to Elizabeth. Her joyous acceptance was met with cheers from bystanders, as seagulls soared above, almost as if celebrating this union with their harmonious cries. It was a tableau of love, pure and heartfelt, framed perfectly by the natural beauty of Santa Cruz.

Amidst smiles, laughter, and the sparkling reflection of the sun on the gentle waves, this session became more than a proposal shoot; it transformed into a joyous celebration of love, a testimony to the beautiful journey that Daniel and Elizabeth are embarking upon, together.

Santa Cruz Surprise Proposal (Engagement Photography) @ Babbling Brook Inn

Santa Cruz Surprise Proposal (Engagement Photography) @ Babbling Brook Inn

This was a tough proposal to remain inconspicuous – usually I’m at a beach where there’s plenty of space to pretend to be photographing something else – birds, waves, flowers, etc. However, Victor had planned to propose to his girlfriend Colie at Babbling Brook Inn, a quaint boutique hotel near downtown Santa Cruz. on the plus side, there was nobody else milling about. On the minus side, there was nobody else milling about – i.e. as soon as Victor led Colie out of their room and down the rose petal and candle-adorned pathway, I couldn’t really pretend to be anything other than a guy hired to capture this special moment. Thankfully Victor didn’t waste much time trying to explain, as soon as they topped the stairs to the gazebo he got down on his knee and popped the question. We took a few minutes to explore the property together; I think we got some pretty great engagement shots to show off to the family and friends!

Surprise Marriage Proposal / Engagement @ Seascape Resort, Aptos, CA

Surprise Marriage Proposal / Engagement @ Seascape Resort, Aptos, CA

This was one of those marriage proposals where both sets of parents were “in on it” and literally hiding around the corner, waiting for Beau to pop the question. The weather was NOT GOOD so we originally did it inside the main lobby in front of the big circular fireplace at Seascape Resort. Because Beau and Audrey are total troopers, they were willing to go outside in the pouring rain for a quick session. We were all soaked at the end, but stoked to get some great shots of this momentous occasion.

Redwoods Engagement Session @ Nisene Marks, Aptos, CA

Redwoods Engagement Session @ Nisene Marks, Aptos, CA

This was a fun engagement session with a mix of natural light and off-camera lighting throughout the whole shoot. Nisene can be a pretty dark redwood forest, offering up moody, gritty photos; but if you make the extra effort to bring light into the equation, some truly creative awesomeness can be had. Below is a selection of my favorite photos from the shoot, enjoy!