There’s a certain kind of magic in surprise proposals—and Aaron and Shelby’s engagement session had it all: love, light, laughter, and a whole lot of heart. Set in the natural beauty of Atlantic Dunes Park in Delray Beach, this engagement unfolded with both planning and spontaneity, giving us a session to remember.
Planning the Surprise
Before the big day, Aaron and I got on a call to go over the vibe he wanted. He was thoughtful, open, and excited—not just about the proposal itself, but about making the moment something truly memorable for Shelby. We talked about themes, shot angles, and how we could make everything flow naturally while still making space for emotion to take the lead.
A week before the shoot, we met at Atlantic Dunes Park to walk through the path together. We scoped out the exact spot where he planned to propose and identified my position, the angles, and even some backup plans. Aaron was easy to collaborate with—open to suggestions and fully invested in making the moment special. We even took a few sample shots and brainstormed ideas. The energy was already building.
The Proposal Day
The wind picked up on the day of the shoot, but the cloudy skies made up for it with soft, even light that was perfect for photography. Originally, I planned to hide at the top of a dune, but thanks to a kind lifeguard, I was able to station myself discreetly right by the lifeguard shack.
When Aaron and Shelby arrived, everything happened just as planned. He got down on one knee, and I captured the moment Shelby said yes. It was adorable—authentic and sweet, the kind of scene that makes you smile even while behind the camera.
Exploring the Rustic Wooden Path
After the proposal, we wandered through a wooden passageway tucked in the area. With no one else around, we had the space to ourselves, and the atmosphere felt relaxed and personal. The pathway was scattered with fallen foliage, creating a rustic.
The further we walked, the more natural Aaron and Shelby became in front of the lens. Their energy was lighthearted, and they shared smiles, laughter, and casual conversation as I documented it all. We weren’t just taking photos—we were making memories, and it showed.
Beach Moments
We headed toward the beach, although seaweed had collected along the shoreline. Fortunately, I used post-processing AI tools to quickly remove some of the seaweed in key shots, helping bring out that clean, breezy South Florida beach aesthetic. The overcast sky gave us even light, and the ocean added calm and texture to the background.
Aaron and Shelby were up for everything. Their easygoing nature made the shoot feel more like hanging out with friends than working. We took full advantage of the natural setting, and the images reflect the emotion of the day—quiet, joyful, and beautifully unscripted.
Chasing the Sunset
As the session wrapped up, we noticed the clouds were starting to shift and the sun was breaking through. We quickly changed direction to catch it. The couple was totally down for an impromptu walk, and we moved fast to capture that magic golden-hour glow.
While they walked and talked along the beach, I jogged ahead to catch candid shots of them from the front. Their expressions, body language, and laughter said it all. We stumbled onto a quiet stretch of A1A, where we turned in for a surprise shot. Just as I lined up the photo, a sleek car pulled up behind them. It unintentionally added flair—like the couple owned the moment and the car.
We finished the shoot on a bridge with the sunset lighting up the entire sky. It was stunning—brilliant, glowing, and exactly the kind of light you hope for at the end of a session. I even switched over to my iPhone 15 Pro for a few last-minute shots, using its computational photography tools to capture the golden brilliance with full color accuracy.
Gear Used
For this session, I used the Canon EOS R8, paired with two powerful lenses:
- Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM – ideal for close-range detail and wide shots with soft depth and creamy bokeh.
- Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM – for capturing the distance moments, like the proposal, with crisp clarity and compression.
Both lenses worked seamlessly throughout the shoot, handling everything from low-light woodlands to shifting beach light. For select sunset shots, I used the iPhone 15 Pro, which offered quick HDR capture and portability when the moment called for speed.
