I photograph many surprise marriage proposals each year in the Myrtle Beach area, and so far, everyone has said yes! From proposals in the pouring rain, sunset rides on horseback, the couple’s kids holding “will you marry me signs in the background” to literally jumping for joy, I’ve captured so many unforgettable memories. I get many emails asking for help setting this up, so I thought I would write a blog post with my usual recommendations and how I photograph the proposal and engagement photos afterward. At the end of the post are about 50 photos from a recent beautiful sunset proposal you will want to check out. You can also check out the recent sessions I’ve posted on Instagram below.
Recent Surprise Proposals on Instagram
Proposing during a sunset walk down the beach
Proposing during a romantic walk down the beach is the most popular way to do it in the Myrtle Beach area. It might seem a little cliché, but it’s very romantic. It’s easy to make the excuse that you want to walk down the beach before dinner and use it as a reason to dress up for the evening. My first recommendation is to schedule the proposal near sunset. About an hour before sunset is best. When you propose, the sun will still be a little harsh in front of the ocean, but it gives us plenty of time for engagement pictures afterward.
I head down to the beach about 15 minutes before I tell the couple to arrive to ensure I’m ready. I’m always happy to help with the setup. For example, I once put a message in a bottle into the sand that he had given me a few days before. If you get there a little early, it’s not a big deal. At my usual Huntington Beach State Park location, you can walk around the castle before coming to the beach to kill some time. If possible, I’d appreciate a quick text message when you arrive to give me a heads-up. It’s also nice if you send me a picture or tell me what you are wearing so I know who to look for.
If you want a more elaborate setup for the proposal on the beach, such as a sunset picnic, I’ve worked with Myrtle Beach Picnic Co. and Stunning and Brilliant Events that help to set up on the beach for the proposal.
Where to propose on the beach
My recommendation is to propose at one of the State Parks. This allows you to escape the crowds and hotels in Myrtle Beach. Of course, other beautiful spots, such as the Conway Riverwalk are available if you don’t want a beach proposal. I like to be very specific about where to meet on the beach. Guys get nervous and don’t always remember what I tell them. I had one couple go to the wrong beach access, and I finally saw them walking from far down the beach toward me. I’ll send a Google Map with the exact walk to the beach highlighted, including a satellite view of the correct beach access. For example, here is the map for a proposal at the Huntington Beach State Park.
How to hide the ring and other suggestions
One problem with proposing during a walk down the beach is how to hide the ring box. They make special, thin ring boxes that are easier to hide, won’t poke out of your pants pocket, and are harder to spot. I had a recent proposal where the man hid the ring box in his sock, then knelt and pulled it out without her ever spotting it.
When you get down on one knee, I recommend keeping one side of your body toward me and the other toward the ocean. If you are perpendicular to me, I can get a good shot of you putting on the ring, with the ocean in the background and no other people in the picture. I’ve had guys propose too quickly or with their backs facing me, so I must run to get in a good position. If you forget or get nervous and need extra walking down the beach, I will spot you and keep up!
After she says yes, giving her a big kiss and even lifting her off the ground makes for a great picture. If you can choose a side to propose from so that her hair blows back in the wind, it will help me see and capture the emotions on her face.
Photographing the proposal and pictures after
When shooting the proposal on the beach, I typically use an extended zoom lens to capture close-ups, even when I’m still physically far away. It helps make me slightly less noticeable, so I don’t ruin the surprise. Near the beach at the state parks, there are many old trees and palms, and even a castle at Huntington. If we are doing the proposal at one of these parks, I usually have the couple walk away from the beach to get shade for photos after the proposal. On the way, I switch to my 85mm lens and grab my off-camera flash.
With the couple featured below, we started in front of the Atalaya Castle and got some great sunlight filtering through the palms. I always love portraits against the ivy-covered wall as well. As the sun set behind the dunes, I captured a beautiful image, deliberately keeping the harsh sun flare in the corner of the frame. That tends to wash out the image, but I also used my flash to add some fill light and counteract the harsh backlighting.
This couple was a lot of fun, and she had some pose ideas she saw on Instagram. I’m always happy to try out any suggestions. I loved the piggyback ride she suggested, where she showed off her ring to the camera. I hope you enjoy the pictures below. Please let me know if you are planning a surprise marriage proposal in Myrtle Beach. I’m always happy to help plan and capture memories you won’t forget.
