Couple stands silhouetted on beach rocks during a dramatic sunset

Family Photography—and a Surprise Proposal—at Windansea Beach

Amelia called me with a dual request . . . much-needed family portraits with her husband, three daughters, and her daughter’s boyfriend . . . AND surprise proposal coverage! Eric and Sabrina had been dating for some time, and he was ready to pop the question.

When the day came, I had my second-shooter Everin stationed where the proposal was going to happen so we would be able to capture the action from two different locations. Family from both sides would be on hand to celebrate. Now I just had to play it cool through the usual extended family portrait part.

The tide was perfect for reflection shots that day, and the sky had just the right amount of clouds. We got family shots, sister shots, headshots, mom-and-daughter shots, dad-and-daughter shots, couple shots… The list goes on. It was getting later. Finally, the sun was about to set, and we determined that our session was over.

I said goodbye to the family, and we all headed our separate ways . . . except that I was clearly tracking Eric and Sabrina. Eric had noticed that the sun was dangerously close to the horizon, and they were booking it . . . and I was trying to be subtle about running across the sand a several yards behind them. In the meantime, Everin was trying to figure out how to navigate a proposal shot on the big rock when there was already a landscape photographer there in the prime position for sunset.

All’s well that ends well! I caught up in time to get some fun silhouettes of the proposal, and Everin got all the up-close shots as Eric popped the question and Sabrina said a very enthusiastic “yes!” We disappeared the landscape photographer.

Be sure to scroll to the end and see the surprised expressions when the happy couple realized who all had come out to congratulate them!

Extended family of six sitting together on large rock at Windansea Beach
Seven family members standing in line on wet sand at Windansea Beach
Three sisters posing close together on beach, hugging at Windansea
Three young women laughing and holding each other at Windansea Beach
Extended family of seven walking across reflective wet sand at Windansea
Large family group wading through wet sand with ocean reflections visible
Family of seven running toward camera across wet sand at Windansea Beach
Extended family running together through shallow water at Windansea
Group of seven holding hands while wading into water at Windansea
Family members joining hands and running through shallow water
Couple standing together on large beach rock overlooking ocean
Man and woman sitting closely on mossy rock with ocean behind
Man and woman running together through shallow water, holding hands
Couple walking hand-in-hand through shallow water at Windansea
Couple running together hand-in-hand through beach water at Windansea
Man and woman holding hands walking across wet sand at Windansea
Silhouette of couple embracing together against sunset at Windansea
Man and woman running side-by-side through shallow water at Windansea
Woman and man jogging together on wet sand at Windansea Beach
Three young women walking hand-in-hand on wet sand at Windansea
Young woman posing barefoot on large rock wearing green sweater
Woman sitting in sand with legs crossed, wearing green sweater
Woman seated in sand near rocks, green sweater against blurred beach
Woman sitting by rock wrapping herself in sweater at Windansea
Woman standing by large rock wearing green tank top at Windansea
Young woman posed against tall rock formation wearing sleeveless top
Woman seated on sand against sandstone formation at Windansea
Woman in white cardigan sitting in sand, looking back at camera
Woman wearing white wrap sitting by large rock at Windansea Beach
Woman leaning against large sandstone rock formation at Windansea
Extended family of six posed together on beach by large rocks
Two sisters posing together, one wearing green one in light color
Two sisters hugging each other on beach with ocean behind Windansea
Woman and mother embracing with ocean behind them at Windansea
Man with three daughters standing on sand by rocks at Windansea
Family group of six holding hands walking on wet sand at Windansea Beach
Man lifting woman playfully in the air on beach at Windansea
Man holding woman up with arms raised at sunset at Windansea
Extended family of six holding hands together on beach at Windansea
Man and woman standing close together at golden hour at Windansea
Man and woman sitting on mossy rock by ocean at Windansea Beach
Woman in green dress posing on moss-covered rock at Windansea
Man kissing woman on mossy rock with ocean backdrop at Windansea
Couple walking hand-in-hand near rocks at golden hour at Windansea
Couple holding hands walking on sand near rocks at Windansea
Man and woman posing together on rock at golden hour at Windansea
Silhouette of couple standing on large rock at sunset at Windansea
Man on one knee proposing to woman on rock at sunset at Windansea Beach
Couple embracing from behind on beach during golden hour at Windansea Beach
Couple holding each other on sand near rocks at sunset at Windansea Beach
Man proposing to woman kneeling on rock at sunset at Windansea
Woman reacting joyfully to proposal on rock at Windansea Beach
Woman and man close together during proposal on rock at Windansea
Silhouette of couple kissing on rock against sunset at Windansea
Woman expressing joy with hands to face during proposal at Windansea
Couple kissing on rocks at golden hour overlooking the ocean Windansea
Silhouette of couple embracing on rock at golden hour at Windansea
Woman kissing man from behind celebrating proposal on rock Windansea Beach
Silhouette of couple kissing on rocks at dramatic sunset at Windansea Beach
Engaged couple kissing on rocks at golden hour at Windansea Beach
Engaged couple smiling at camera on beach at Windansea after
Couple walking hand-in-hand on beach after getting engaged at Windansea Beach
Engaged couple laughing joyfully on beach at Windansea Beach
Engaged couple grinning with happiness on beach at Windansea
Newly engaged couple standing on wet sand near rocks at Windansea
Engaged couple kissing near rock formations at Windansea Beach
Couple hugging and kissing in shallow water at Windansea Beach
Engaged couple embracing on wet sand with rocks behind them Windansea Beach
Engaged couple posing together on sand with rocks in background
Newly engaged couple walking on sand near rocks at Windansea
Engaged couple showing off ring to camera on beach at Windansea
Engaged woman embraced by family celebrating proposal at Windansea
Newly engaged couple surrounded by celebrating family on beach
Engaged couple posing with family members on sand at Windansea
Engaged couple hugging in shallow water on beach at Windansea
Engaged groom greeting parents on beach at Windansea at sunset
Extended family group of seven posing together on sand at Windansea
Family of five gathered on wet sand at sunset at Windansea Beach
Engaged couple with family members on beach at Windansea at golden
Extended family group standing on sand at Windansea Beach at sunset
Newly engaged bride greeting parents on beach with joy at Windansea
Bride embracing her mother on beach while family celebrates at Windansea Beach
Large extended family gathering on beach at sunset at Windansea

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