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!

Family of six sitting on rocks at Windansea Beach with thatched shade structure
Extended family standing together on sand at Windansea Beach with cityscape
Three sisters hugging and laughing, close-up at the beach
Three sisters smiling together, golden hour lighting at Windansea
Family of six running on wet sand with reflections at Windansea Beach
Family walking across wet sand reflections toward the water at beach
Family holding hands and running through the surf at Windansea
Six people linked together running in shallow water at beach
Family group holding hands running in the water at golden hour
Family holding hands wading into water at Windansea Beach
Couple holding hands standing on rocks with ocean and sky backdrop
Couple embracing on rocks at Windansea with beach rocks visible
Woman and man walking together in water at beach
Man and woman holding hands walking on wet sand at Windansea
Couple strolling on wet sand with Windansea Beach backdrop
Man and woman running together on wet sand at golden hour
Couple silhouetted embracing on rocks at sunset at Windansea
Woman and man wading together in the water at beach
Three sisters walking together on wet sand at Windansea
Three daughters smiling together in close-up at the beach
Daughter headshot portrait sitting against rocks at Windansea
Young woman kneeling on sand against rocks at Windansea
Daughter sitting on sand next to a large rock formation
Young woman standing against rocks with blurred background at Windansea
Daughter sitting and smiling on sand near rocks
Young woman sitting against large rocks on the beach
Daughter with windblown hair posing near rocks at Windansea
Close-up of daughter's hands and lap while sitting on sand
Young woman sitting on sand with rocks in background
Daughter sitting on sand next to a large boulder at Windansea
Extended family group standing on sand with large rocks at Windansea
Mom and daughter smiling together at the beach
Two sisters embracing at Windansea Beach with ocean backdrop
Two sisters holding hands and smiling at the beach
Mom and daughter pair smiling together at Windansea
Dad and daughter standing together on beach at Windansea
Family group on sand with rocks and palm trees visible
Extended family standing together on Windansea Beach at sunset
Family holding hands walking together on wet sand at Windansea
Man and woman walking together on wet sand at Windansea
Senior man and woman sitting together on rocks at Windansea
Woman kneeling on sand looking at man on one knee
Man kissing woman's cheek while sitting on rocks at beach
Couple walking together at Windansea Beach at golden hour
Couple embracing from behind on sand facing the ocean
Couple standing on rocks at sunset with ocean backdrop
Woman and man embracing from behind at beach at golden hour
Man on one knee proposing to woman at sunset on rocks
Woman with raised hands reacting to proposal moment at rocks
Man and woman kissing on rocks at sunset at Windansea
Man proposing to woman on rocks at Windansea at golden hour
Woman laughing in reaction to man's proposal on rocks
Woman touching man's face during proposal moment on rocks
Silhouette of couple on rocks against sunset at Windansea
Woman with hand to face responding to proposal at Windansea
Couple kissing on rocks at sunset with golden hour lighting
Woman and man kissing on sand at Windansea at sunset
Couple embracing on beach with rocks in background at sunset
Silhouette of couple kissing on rocks against golden sky
Woman and man kissing in water at Windansea Beach
Eric and Sabrina smiling together at the beach
Eric and Sabrina walking together on wet sand at Windansea
Eric and Sabrina holding hands on sand at golden hour
Engaged couple smiling together at Windansea with rocks backdrop
Eric and Sabrina embracing on sand at Windansea Beach
Couple kissing on sand with rocks in background at sunset
Sabrina in focus near camera while Eric smiles behind her
Eric and Sabrina posing together on wet sand at Windansea
Engaged couple laughing together on sand at golden hour
Eric and Sabrina standing in surf at Windansea Beach
Eric and Sabrina showing engagement ring with hand raised
Extended family celebrating with Eric and Sabrina on beach
Sabrina hugging family members during celebration at Windansea
Group of family members gathered around Eric and Sabrina smiling
Family member embracing Sabrina in water at Windansea
Eric talking with older relatives on beach at sunset
Extended family group gathered together at Windansea Beach
Family members hugging and celebrating on sand at Windansea
Large family group posed together on sand at sunset
Extended family with Eric and Sabrina on beach at golden hour
Sabrina waving with family members gathered around at beach
Sabrina hugging family member with others nearby at Windansea
Large family group posing together on sand at Windansea Beach

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