Congrats to the beautiful couple, Nick and Pam, on their recent engagement! I LOVE photographing surprise proposals. It’s such an exciting time with lots of anticipation waiting for the big moment. This couple was so much fun to work with and their love for each other was so easy to capture — they were such naturals in front of my lens.

For this surprise proposal, Nick planned all the details down to a tee. He contacted me a couple of weeks before hand with tentative plans and then sent me the location for the shoot (Southport Beach in Fairfield, CT) with a screenshot circling where he and Pam will be. He described what he’d be wearing and his car, too so I really wouldn’t miss them. Luckily, Nick chose to wear a Hawaiian shirt so it was hard to miss! I always show up to surprise proposals early to scout the location and find the best hiding spots. Then, I test the lighting from my view angle and get all my settings right in camera because you only have one chance to capture the big moment.

Nick couldn’t wait long as he was so nervous, so as soon as they setup their beach chairs on the sand, he got down on one knee and popped the question. Pam thought they were just going to lounge at the beach for the evening — she had no idea what was coming!

I love capturing the reactions from a distance with my telephoto lens. I was hidden behind some beach grass in the parking lot to capture the moment until Nick pointed me out and we started our engagement session. I always start the portrait session with a traditional engagement photo that the couple can share right away with family and friends. Then we took a walk along the beach for beautiful portraits, ending with macro shots of Pam’s engagement ring. Congrats again to the beautiful couple and what a gorgeous ring — nice job, Nick! Here are some of my favorites from the surprise proposal documenting this special moment for newly engaged couple: