Big Sur proposal &
engagement photographer.

Wildflowers above, Pacific below, nobody else around.

What we love about Big Sur for proposals and engagement sessions.

Big Sur is where you propose when the proposal itself is the trip. It's a two hour drive from anywhere and that's the point. The cliffs fall a thousand feet straight into the Pacific, the wildflowers bloom above Garrapata in April, and in the last hour of sun the cliffs go amber while the water goes almost black. You'll see. We know which pull-offs have shade for hiding, which trails get you down to private beaches, which spots have cell service for last-minute coordination. Plan extra time for the drive and a dinner reservation back in Carmel.

Destinations we shoot around Big Sur.

5 spots we actually shoot around Big Sur, ordered by how much work we’ve done at each. Soberanes Trail alone accounts for 1,194 of the engagement photos below. Every one has its own page with the access details, and the ones we get asked about most have a full Carmel and Big Sur proposal guide.

Soberanes Trail

Soberanes Trail sits at the northern edge of Big Sur, twenty minutes south of Carmel-by-the-Sea on Highway 1 and the closest Big Sur destination to town. Bixby Bridge is fifteen minutes further south.

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1194+ engagement photosSee more →

Bixby Bridge

The most photographed bridge on the California coast, about 25 minutes south of Carmel on Highway 1. The Castle Rock Viewpoint pullout on the north side has the canonical bridge-and-cove vista.

CoastBridgeCliffsIconic

199+ engagement photosSee more →

Pfeiffer Beach

Down a single-lane unmarked road (Sycamore Canyon) off Highway 1 in Big Sur. $12 day-use fee. The Keyhole Arch on the south end is the signature subject — a sea cave with sun alignment in winter that lights up the opening.

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133+ engagement photosSee more →

Garrapata Beach

Inside Garrapata State Park, about 15 minutes south of Carmel-by-the-Sea on the north end of Big Sur. The pullout for Calla Lily Valley is unmarked roadside parking on Highway 1.

CoastBeachCliffsWildflowersCalla Lilies

64+ engagement photosSee more →

Alila Ventana Big Sur

Adults-only cliffside resort in Big Sur with a redwood-flanked meadow and an ocean overlook deck. Private and quiet. The full property is available for elopement bookings — they handle the venue side of the logistics.

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62+ engagement photosSee more →

1. 1

   I text you.

   Once you book a call, I'll text you personally within minutes during Pacific time business hours. Most proposals are planned discreetly so text keeps things flexible and all in one place. (Just make sure to mute the thread.)

2. 2

   We narrow down the location.

   If you're unsure where to propose, I'll ask a few simple questions about the vibe (coastal, redwoods, vineyard, urban) and guide you toward strong options. I can send recent proposal galleries from any of our shoot locations for inspiration. Knowing where you're staying/visiting can also narrow down our location options.

3. 3

   You reserve the date.

   Once we've had our initial discovery call, all you need to do is reserve a one hour session. No penalty if plans shift. If I'm already booked, you'll see the "team" option in the hour slots at time of the reservation. I'm still your main point of contact throughout the process, but I'll loop you in with my photographer on a 3-way text feed 24-48hrs before the shoot.

4. 4

   I coordinate with you leading up to the day.

   Text me anytime with questions, adjustments, weather concerns, anything. If the spot has limited cell service I'll send detailed parking instructions, map links, and annotated/interactive satellite imagery so everything feels simple and clear on the big day.

5. 5

   Day-of coordination.

   Send a quick selfie of you both that morning so we know who to look for (we don't want to "stalk" the wrong couple!). Share your location with us via Find My (iPhone) or WhatsApp (Android). We're typically on-site at least 30 minutes early, scouted and ready.

6. 6

   The post-proposal session.

   After the initial proposal, we'll introduce ourselves and guide you through a relaxed engagement session together. 30 to 60 minutes depending on your collection and location(s). You don't need to know how to pose. We'll direct everything in a way that feels natural and fun.

7. 7

   Payment + delivery.

   Payment is due same-day after the shoot. You choose your collection before the photos are delivered. Within 24 hours I'll text you a handful of sneak peeks. Full edited gallery within 7 days. Small retouch requests after delivery are almost always doable. And yes you can pay the difference if you want to upgrade your package after seeing the final gallery.

Ready to plan your Big Sur proposal or engagement session?

No deposit. No commitment. We'll plan it together. Payment is due same-day after the shoot. Sneak peeks within 24 hours. Full gallery within 7 days.