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santa cruz photographer

Santa Cruz Panther Beach Proposal / Engagement

Santa Cruz Panther Beach Proposal / Engagement

Let’s be honest, Asha has a PRETTY GOOD IDEA her boyfriend was going to propose today – maybe it was seeing her BF’s friend’s car in the parking lot of the beach. Maybe it was the nice dinner reservations. Maybe it was the fact that she knew a photographer (yours truly) was there to take couples’ pics of them. So many maybes… but the clincher was seeing all the framed pictures of them arranged on the beach with candles and a sign that said “Marry Me” that was the real clincher lol. I love proposals that happen in the middle of a planned photo shoot – I don’t have to hide or pretend to take pictures of waves. I just do my thing and at the appropriate time, the proposer does their thing and I’m in the perfect spot to capture it.

Here’s a few of my favorite shots from Satya and Asha’s proposal / engagement at Santa Cruz’s finest hidden gem, Panther Beach (aka Hole in the Wall beach).

If you’re interested in planning your proposal / engagement / wedding with me, start here: http://www.BayAreaWedding.Photography

San Juan Bautista Wedding at The Mission

San Juan Bautista Wedding at The Mission

You can tell it’s a slow part of the season when the sneak peek of my first wedding of the year includes over 300 photos! I don’t know who will ever read this, but I can tell you it was such a JOY to be around people and to capture an actual full wedding. I’m so over this pandemic! Granted, it was still a small wedding, and there were lots of masks (which makes for challenging candid photos) but it was so fun to celebrate a wedding after so long away from them.

The wedding was a full Catholic mass at The Mission in San Juan Bautista, and after a few family photos inside the church, we went outside and across the street for some pretty beautiful settings in this historical location. The reception was a beautiful affair at the couple’s back yard home in San Jose. I have to say, I have high hopes for 2021 weddings – they cant’t come soon enough!

Santa Cruz Engagement Session (+Family) at Natural Bridges

Santa Cruz Engagement Session (+Family) at Natural Bridges

Weddings often unite more than two individuals; sometimes they create a whole new family. That’s why an engagement session is sometimes something a little more, and I’m absolutely here for it! While it may be a little embarrassing for the kids to see the grownups, well, grownupping – it’s always a fun, rambunctious experience for all. Emily and Matt are tying the knot later this year, but we were able to fit in an amazing session between these crazy winter storms we’ve been having. We started at the rear entrance to Natural Bridges to get that woodsy feel, then followed some back trails before finally making it to the beach, where we were treated with a breathtaking sunset. Enjoy a few of my faves below!

West Cliff Dr / Santa Cruz Engagement (She Said Yes!)

West Cliff Dr / Santa Cruz Engagement (She Said Yes!)

It seems like shooting surprise marriage proposals are 90% planning and 10% execution. I mean, I don’t want to accidentally stalk the wrong couple, or maybe be hanging out 100’ from where the guy decides to drop to one knee – so it’s important to use past experience to inform a perfectly planned and photographed proposal.

I knew Steve wanted to propose to his girlfriend on West Cliff Drive (a very special place for them), and specifically on one of two benches near a cool tree at the intersection of De La Costa Avenue. The problem? The benches are constantly occupied by pedestrians who (rightly) want to stop and enjoy the view. My solution? I went up to a gentleman who was hanging out on “the bench” and told him what was going down in about 15 minutes. After confirming he planned on hanging out that long, we conspired… I showed him the picture I had of my client, so when they got close he simply got up and walked off, leaving it free for my couple and nobody else.

Small things like this delight me, and of course when Steve transitioned from bench to down-on-one-knee, I was ready and shooting away. Here’s a few of my faves…. enjoy!