Bodega Bay Surprise Proposal

This Bodega Bay surprise proposal took place at Duncan’s Landing just a few miles north of the town of Bodega. This is one of my favorite proposal spots because of its natural beauty, ease of access, and sunset opportunities. This proposal was photographed on a perfect day in late October with the whales in full migration breaching in pods just off the coast.

For this session, the couple flew in from out of state and I suggested this spot for him to propose to his beautiful girlfriend. The real proposal happened about an hour and a half before sunset and after she gleefully said yes, we captured portraits and even a stylized proposal photo at the zenith of the sunset.

Duncan’s Landing Surprise Proposal

A romantic surprise proposal at Duncan's Landing, where a man in a blue plaid shirt and dark pants kneels on one knee presenting a ring box to a woman in a flowing white dress, her hands clasped to her chest in emotion, standing on a rugged grassy cliff edge adorned with red-tipped succulents, overlooking the vast blue Pacific Ocean with scattered rocky outcrops and a hazy distant shoreline under a clear sky, capturing a moment of joy and scenic coastal beauty.

Intimate close-up of a joyful couple during their engagement photos in Bodega Bay, the man with dark curly hair in a blue plaid shirt embracing the woman with curly updo in a white sleeveless dress, their faces close and smiling tenderly at each other, hands intertwined showcasing a sparkling oval diamond engagement ring on her finger, with a soft hazy blue ocean backdrop evoking romance and bliss.

Close-up of a couple's intertwined hands during an engagement session by a Sonoma County Engagement Photographer, showcasing a brilliant oval-cut diamond ring on the woman's finger alongside a silver bracelet, her manicured nails and his strong arm embracing her white dress-clad waist, with soft warm sunlight casting gentle shadows, symbolizing love, commitment, and intimate connection against a blurred coastal backdrop.

A black and white landscape photograph from Duncan's Landing couple's photos, capturing a romantic moment where a couple embraces on a rugged, grassy cliffside overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. Gentle waves crash against rocky outcrops below, while a distant coastal town nestles amid rolling hills under a clear sky, evoking a sense of serene isolation and timeless love.

A scenic color photograph from Bodega Bay engagement photographer, featuring a loving couple standing arm-in-arm on a vibrant, succulent-draped cliff edge, gazing out over the dramatic Pacific coastline. Waves surge around jagged rock formations in the deep blue sea, with rugged cliffs and a quaint coastal village backed by rolling hills under a soft, sunny sky, embodying the raw beauty and intimate connection of an engagement session in nature.

How We Planned This Surprise Proposal at Duncan’s Landing

Since this couple traveled in from out of state, I helped him plan the exact spot and timing to pop the question to his girlfriend. I suggested Duncan’s Landing due to its breathtaking overlooks and easy-to-find landmarks which would make it less likely that they’d inadvertently go to the wrong spot. I’ve actually had this happen before, so I find that it’s a much better idea to try and keep things as simple as possible so everyone’s on the same page.

To make things foolproof, I also provided him with a satellite photo of where to park and where to propose. With sunset taking place at 6:15, I suggested he propose at 4:30 for good light during the proposal and even better light for their portraits after. I directed him to propose to her with her face toward the sun to fully capture her expression. Following all of my directions perfectly, she was completely surprised and I captured all of it on camera.

Duncan’s Landing Engagement Photos

Once we captured the actual proposal, I shifted my focus to creating beautiful engagement photos the couple could use for their save-the-date cards that they’d inevitably need to invite guests to their wedding. Heading down to the northern beach, I captured portraits of the newly engaged couple as the sun went down. It’s always important to capture the actual proposal as it happens, but I also really enjoy recreating the moment under extraordinary light timed at sunset.

It’s also important to me to capture the emotion of the moment. For these photos, I did that by roughly setting the couple up and then evoking the emotion by letting them talk and connect on their own while I captured them from a distance with a telephoto lens.