Before the proposal day, Jeremy and I went over every detail. I even created a map showing exactly where we’d meet, and we stayed in touch by text to keep the plan seamless. I arrived about 10 minutes early to settle in and blend into the scene, pretending to be just another beachgoer while keeping my camera in a bag.

As the sun was about to show up, Brandon and his girlfriend walked along the shore. At just the right moment, he dropped to one knee, and the look on her face was pure surprise, and joy! After the proposal, we continued with a beautiful engagement session. The morning light created the perfect glow, making every photo feel so romantic.

Planning a surprise proposal is one of the most exciting (and nerve-wracking!) moments in your life. Maui is a perfect place to pop your question - with it’s gorgeous beaches and breathtaking sunsets it is one of the most romantic spots on earth. To help you plan your surprise proposal, here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Ironwoods Beach is one of my favorite spots to capture proposals. It’s usually not very crowded at sunset, which is perfect for a private experience. I always scout the beach as I get there, and choose the least crowded spot - usually somewhere in the middle of the beach. For Nick and Claudia’s proposal, I pretended to be just hanging out, keeping my camera hidden in a beach bag. This way, Claudia had no idea what was about to happen!

Zach and Karen had spent the day exploring Hana, but the highlight was yet to come. After checking out the sea turtles chilling on the shore at Hookipa, Zach took Karen to the cliffs above the beach, where I was waiting. I’d shared a Google Maps pin and a screenshot of my handwritten map to ensure he could find me easily. While they approached, I pretended to be taking landscape photos.