Monterey Proposal Photographer

A proposal on the Monterey coast gets a lot of help from the scenery. Cliffs, cypress, a sunset dropping into the Pacific... all you have to do is get down on one knee. My job is to make sure you have that moment on camera, without her ever knowing I was there until it's time.

I'm Britt, a proposal photographer based on the Monterey Peninsula. I photograph surprise proposals from Big Sur up through Pacific Grove and Carmel, and most of them turn into a relaxed engagement session right after the yes.

How a surprise proposal works

We start with a call. Tell me a little about the two of you, where you're staying, and what you're picturing. I'll help you pick the spot and the timing, and we'll figure out how to get her there without giving anything away.

Before your day, I scout the exact spot ahead of time. I'm looking for somewhere semi-secluded and beautiful, with a clear line of sight, so I can stay out of view and still catch everything. I'll send you a pin and a plan so you know exactly where to stop.

On the day, I'm already in place when you walk up. I stay hidden while you ask, and once she says yes, I come out to say hi and congratulate you both. You'll see the real reaction in the photos, because it's real.

After the yes

This is my favorite part. Once the nerves are gone, we slow down and spend the rest of golden hour on a short engagement session. You get the real moment, and then an hour of the two of you just being happy together with a ring on her hand. It's also a nice way to come down from the adrenaline.

Where to propose on the coast

Most of my proposals happen at one of these spots. They're all within about twenty minutes of Monterey, and each one feels completely different. (If you're also bringing family along for the trip, I have pages for Pacific Grove, Carmel and Big Sur.)

Garrapata State Park, Big Sur

The one people picture when they think Big Sur. A bluff trail through wildflowers and sage, the whole coastline running south behind you, and a beach at the bottom of the stairs for after. It faces west, so the last hour of light comes straight across the water. There's a sunset proposal at Garrapata in my journal if you want to see it.

Asilomar State Beach, Pacific Grove

Rocky shoreline, a boardwalk through the dunes, and wide open ocean. There are quieter pockets along the rocks that are perfect for a surprise, and the late afternoon light lights up the whole shoreline. Here's a proposal on the rocks at Asilomar, if you want to see how it played out.

Carmel River Beach, Carmel

Quieter than Carmel Beach, with a lagoon, soft sand and a rocky point above the water. It's my go-to for small beach ceremonies too, so if a proposal turns into an elopement down the road, we already know the spot.

The light, and when to come

I almost always recommend the last hour or so before sunset. The light is warm and low, and it gives us golden hour for the engagement photos afterward. I'll give you the exact sunset time for your date and tell you when to start walking.

Fog is part of summer here, May through August. Sometimes it burns off right before sunset and sometimes it sits on the water all evening. Either way it's beautiful, just softer and moodier. September and October are the clearest months on the coast.

Weekdays are quieter everywhere, which helps when you're trying to keep things private. If a weekend is the only option, that's okay too. Scouting ahead is how we find a spot away from the crowds.

What to tell her to wear

This is the tricky part of a surprise. A dinner reservation afterward is the easiest cover story, since it gives her a reason to dress up without asking questions. Soft, simple colors like cream, sand, sage and dusty blue look beautiful against the coast, and a dress that moves in the wind is always a good idea.

Bring a layer, and think about shoes. The bluffs are windy and cooler than town, and a few of these spots have trails or stairs. Something she can walk in, then kick off on the sand, is perfect.

Sessions and pricing are on the session details page, and we'll pick the right one on our call.