Ana, Seth, and their two little girls were spending a special summer getaway in Puerto Rico, where Ana is from and where the beach feels like home. Seth told her he had arranged for someone through the hotel to take some family photos to remember the trip. She was a little camera-shy and not entirely sold on the idea, but she said yes at the thought of having those vacation memories captured.

She had no idea what was actually coming.

How Seth Found Me: Surprise Proposal Photographer at the Four Seasons Puerto Rico

After searching for proposal photography at this resort, Seth found my blog through a previous proposal I had photographed here and reached out. He was anxious about the logistics, specifically how to plan the moment in a way that felt natural without tipping Ana off.

Staying at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico, formerly known as the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, made the planning straightforward. The property is genuinely one of the best places to propose in Puerto Rico. The grounds are beautiful, the staff is discreet, and there are enough natural spots around the resort that a "family portrait session" is a completely believable cover story.

We planned it so I would meet them at the resort as their photographer, ease everyone in with real family photos, and then cue a particular pose that would signal Seth to get down on one knee.

What Actually Happened

I arrived early to walk the property. The day was a little cloudy and quite windy by the time Seth and the family arrived, and I could see the weather was starting to get into his head. I broke the ice with family photos right away, and what started as a cover story turned into a genuinely lovely full family session. The girls were wonderful. Seth needed a little time to find his moment.

When he finally went for it, there are no words for the reaction. Ana's face, the girls running circles around them in pure excitement, all of it was so real and so joyful. I found out afterward that the girls had known about the proposal the whole time and had kept the secret perfectly.

Then, in the most spontaneous move of the afternoon, the whole family ran straight into the ocean and dove in, jeans and all. It gave me some of my favorite photos of the entire session, and also meant they had exactly enough time to run back to their suite, shower, and change before Seth's second surprise of the day: Ana's Puerto Rican family waiting for them at a beach dinner in less than an hour.

I stayed a little longer to capture that big family portrait before the evening began.

This set is one of my favorites. Congratulations to the newly engaged, and happy wedding planning!

If you are planning a proposal at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico and want a photographer who knows the property well, I would love to help you put it all together. Get in touch and we can start planning.

xo,
Cami