Big Sur,
California
Close-up of a marriage proposal, man placing a diamond engagement ring on woman's finger outdoors.

 

It's the beginning of spring where the days are longer, the skies are hazier, and the pelicans have started to migrate north

 

Couple holding hands on a sunny beach, wearing white tops and black pants, smiling with ocean waves in the background.

Adrienne + John are in town for their friend's wedding and they just arrived today. After checking in to their hotel and freshening up, they decide to take a quick drive down to Big Sur to explore a little before their dinner reservation. Adrienne thinks they're simply going exploring, but John has other plans in mind. Plans he's been working on for over a month.

A flock of birds flying in formation against a clear blue sky with a faint contrail visible.
Black and white photo of a joyful Asian couple embracing and laughing together on a beach.
A couple walks hand in hand on a sunny beach, smiling at each other in matching white tops and black pants.

Wrong spot, correct answer


John and I had the perfect plan: perfect location selected, plot devised, and timing confirmed. The one thing he hadn't planned for? The way nerves would hit him at the last moment.


Big Sur is notoriously a dead zone for cell reception. It's easy to get lost and not be able to figure things out. So when he got to the location, he was confident he could get to "the spot" for the big moment.


As they approached the location, I was prepared. Ready to spring into action when he did the signal we'd discussed. But then...they kept walking. And then they walked a bit further. I played it off as to not tip Adrienne off that I was there for them.


Through my peripheral, I paid attention to his body language and trusted my gut instinct. He was about to drop to one knee! And I wasn't in position!! AND my settings were all off!!!


I went with my instincts and adjusted on the fly, capturing the moment and emotions that followed.


Adrienne excitedly said YES, they took a bit of time to soak in the moment together, then we headed down to the beach to celebrate together.


Their love is gentle, intuitive, and so very silly. They match each other's energy at every turn. Their cute little giggles when they were closely embraced and the excitement they shared when they were running along the sandy beach.


It was an honor to capture this moment at the start of their weekend getaway. Congrats Adrienne + John!

Couple sharing a romantic marriage proposal moment on a coastal cliff at sunset with seagulls flying overhead.
Couple sharing a romantic moment on rocky coastal cliffs with ocean waves in the background.
Couple sharing a romantic proposal moment on a coastal cliff path surrounded by ocean views.
Man proposing to woman on a rocky coastal cliff at sunset, placing a ring on her finger.
Black and white photo of a woman covering her mouth in surprise while a man whispers to her outdoors.
Close-up of a marriage proposal with a diamond engagement ring being placed on a woman's finger outdoors.
Couple embracing on a coastal cliff with seagulls flying overhead and ocean waves in the background.
Smiling woman gazes at her partner while standing on rocky coastal cliffs with ocean waves behind them.
Couple sharing romantic moment on rocky coast with flock of birds soaring in clear sky behind them.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss on a scenic coastal cliff with ocean waves at sunset.
Couple holding hands on rocky coastal trail with ocean views and golden hills at sunset.
Black and white photo of a couple embracing outdoors near the ocean with birds flying in formation overhead.
Couple on wooden coastal stairs overlooking sandy beach with rugged green mountains and cliffs along California coastline.
Couple gazing at each other on a sunny beach, man in white shirt and woman in white crop top holding hands.
Close-up of a woman wearing a diamond engagement ring while embracing a man in a white shirt on a sunny day.