Seth and Mallery visited San Diego from Maine for a weekend. A little before before their trip Seth found me online and called to arrange a special photo session. He was planning on proposing to Mallery at a scenic location in San Diego and he wanted it to be both a total surprise but also captured in photos. No problem!

I was fairly new to engagement photography but the technical, artistic and personality aspects of portrait photography definitely apply to couples photography. I’m finding that people are even more relaxed sometimes by having their significant other right next to them.

After I presented some options, Seth decided on Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach. I shared info on the tides and how they affect where we could climb and walk to; recommending a couple spots where we’d also avoid the crowds of sunset watchers. Since Seth had never been there, I sent him a detailed visual map and dropped a pin for his phone.

The scenario worked out just as we planned. They were walking up the steps as I was walking down and I delivered the first line of our little script. “Hey! You guys look like a fun couple. Not be creepy but I’m a photographer. Whenever I shoot the sunset I always offer photos to people who are around. You could check them out on my website and if you like any, send me a message. Do you guys want to snap a few?” He of course played along and she seemed to buy it. So we went back down the stairs and I showed them around to a nice spot on the rocks with waves crashing behind them. They were having a blast together already so the mood was perfect.

I told Seth that I’d say, “this is looking really good” as his cue to take a knee. I took a couple “before” shots, switched lenses and the time had come. All set up, I gave him the cue, and he took a knee and gave her the surprise of her life as I snapped photos the whole time, capturing her authentic reaction and their emotions in that very important moment.

Wiping away tears of joy, she gave me a look and laughing yelled, “you’re not a stranger!” We shot some more on the rocks, then I captured some of them on the phone with family and friends. And another when their local friend came by to congratulate them.

I’m so glad to have been part of this wonderful day in their lives. Congratulations Mallery & Seth!

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