Some proposal stories are beautifully planned.
Others require a little faith... and a weather app that gets checked about fifty times.
Rob first reached out to me about a month before he planned to propose to Lindsey. Since we'd never met in person, we had to come up with a way for him to spot me without giving anything away. Besides the cameras I would be carrying, I told him I'd be wearing a green Boston Celtics hoodie so he'd know exactly who I was as they walked by.
Rob and Lindsey would enjoy dinner together at Tides Coastal Kitchen inside the Delta Marriott at Virginia Beach, bringing along their adorable golden retriever, Chloe. After dinner, they'd take what Lindsey thought would be an ordinary walk along Chix Beach.
I'd already be waiting.
As the proposal day got closer, Rob and I found ourselves constantly checking the forecast.
Every update seemed to predict the same thing: rain. Lots of it.
We exchanged more than a few hopeful messages during that final week, wondering if we'd have to completely change the plan.
Thankfully, when the day finally arrived, the weather gave us exactly the window we needed. The skies stayed dry just long enough for everything to unfold exactly as Rob had imagined.
Sometimes that's all you need.
To make sure I was ready for the exact moment, Rob and I came up with a subtle signal ahead of time.
Just before proposing, he would casually stretch both of his arms over his head—something natural enough that Lindsey wouldn't think twice about it, but obvious enough that I'd know the proposal was seconds away.
It worked perfectly...
...well, almost.
The second Lindsey realized what was happening, she couldn't contain herself. Before Rob even had a chance to get down on one knee, she started jumping up and down with excitement. It was one of the most genuine reactions I've ever photographed.
Pure surprise.
Pure joy.
Pure disbelief.
Those are the moments photographers hope for—the ones you can't pose or recreate.
And, of course...
She said YES!
Once the excitement settled (just a little!), we spent some time capturing portraits of the newly engaged couple along the shoreline.
The soft overcast sky created beautiful, even light across the beach, and Chloe happily joined in for several photos, making the evening feel even more personal. From quiet moments walking hand in hand along the water to joyful laughter and close-up shots of Lindsey's gorgeous emerald-cut engagement ring, every image tells a piece of their story.
One of my favorite parts of proposal sessions is that they're completely unscripted. The nerves beforehand, the overwhelming excitement afterward, the constant smiling because neither person can quite believe what just happened—it's impossible to fake.
Those first few minutes after someone says "yes" are filled with so much emotion, and getting to preserve that for my couples is something I'll never take for granted.
Thinking About Proposing?
If you're planning a surprise proposal in Virginia Beach, I'd love to help make it unforgettable.
From choosing the perfect location to helping you create a discreet game plan (yes—even down to secret signals and recognizable hoodies!), I'll work with you behind the scenes so you can focus on one thing:
Asking the biggest question of your life.
Congratulations again, Rob & Lindsey!
Thank you for trusting me to document such an incredible milestone. Wishing you both a lifetime filled with adventures, laughter, and many more walks on the beach with Chloe. ❤️
