This was such a fun recent family photography session at Huntington Beach State Park that I wanted to make a quick blog post about it. I’ve done many surprise marriage proposals over the years in Myrtle Beach. However, I’ve never done one that combined maternity portraits and family pictures at the same time!
I was actually contacted by the expectant mother to set up just a regular family photography session. About a week before the session, I was called by the father. He had an idea for a surprise proposal at the same time. All of his kids were going to be in on it and carrying some big “Will You Marry Me” signs for the pictures. The problem was getting the signs down to the beach, without her knowing about it.
Thankfully, we had his daughter’s boyfriend there to help set things up. They were driving in a separate car for the pictures and could bring the signs. I was initially planning on the boyfriend saying he needed to go to the bathroom when we arrived. Then I would take the rest of the family to the Atalaya Castle to start pictures while he ran the signs down and hid them on the beach. When we arrived, being pregnant, the mom needed to go to the bathroom for real. So that gave us a perfect time to hide all the signs down on the beach.
We started out just doing normal pictures with all the kids by the castle, some pictures with his daughter and her boyfriend, and then some maternity portraits of mom and dad. It started out very overcast that day, but not long after, the sun poked out and it ended up being beautiful at the beach. Continue below for more about the proposal.
Family in front of the castle – Huntington Beach State ParkPortrait touching the belly – Huntington Beach State ParkLooking back at each other – Huntington Beach State ParkYoung boyfriend and girlfriend in front of the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Portraits of the kids by the castle wall – Huntington Beach State ParkPortraits of the kids by the castle wall – Huntington Beach State Park
Portraits of the kids by the castle wall – Huntington Beach State ParkPortraits of the kids by the castle wall – Huntington Beach State Park
Leaning against the ivy wall – Huntington Beach State ParkRomance by the ivy wall – Huntington Beach State Park
Family portrait under the oaks – Huntington Beach State Park
Leaning against the wrought iron windows – Huntington Beach State ParkLeaning against the wrought iron windows – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun pictures with the brothers and sisters hanging on the window – Huntington Beach State ParkSunset coming through the palms – Huntington Beach State ParkFamily portrait on the secret beach path – Huntington Beach State ParkMaking a heart on the belly – Huntington Beach State Park
Surprise proposal with kids holding up “Will You Marry Me” signs
As we walked down the beach path, I saw the signs hidden over in the dunes. Thankfully she didn’t seem to notice. Instead of starting with dunes pictures, I told them let’s go ahead and walk down to the ocean. The kids grabbed the signs and started to follow us down. She wanted to turn around but I said to just keep looking out at the ocean for pictures. After the kids were ready, I had them turn around and she saw the signs and was completely surprised!
It really couldn’t have worked out any better, I loved some of the pictures I got with the kids all holding the signs backlit by the setting sun. After the proposal, we went back to the dunes for pictures and then some more family portraits as well. It ended up being a beautiful, fun evening that I don’t think they will forget. If you are planning even an unusual surprise proposal please let me know, it always seems to work out great!
Keeping mom looking out at the ocean while the kids sneak up with the signs – Huntington Beach State ParkFirst look at the will you marry me signs – Huntington Beach State ParkKids holding up Will You Marry Me signs – Huntington Beach State ParkShe said yes – Huntington Beach State ParkShe said yes – Huntington Beach State ParkKiss with the kids holding the signs in the background – Huntington Beach State ParkWill you marry me? – Huntington Beach State ParkMaternity and engagement picture by the dunes – Huntington Beach State ParkFamily portrait in front of the dunes – Huntington Beach State ParkKids standing by the ocean at sunset – Huntington Beach State ParkBrothers and sisters walking down the beach holding hands – Huntington Beach State ParkBrothers and sisters walking down the beach holding hands – Huntington Beach State ParkHaving fun walking in the ocean at sunset – Huntington Beach State ParkHaving fun walking in the ocean at sunset – Huntington Beach State ParkMaternity portraits holding up the baby name – Huntington Beach State ParkMaternity portraits holding up the baby name – Huntington Beach State ParkKiss showing off the ring – Huntington Beach State ParkPortrait by the ocean – Huntington Beach State ParkShowing off the belly – Huntington Beach State ParkWalking down the beach having fun – Huntington Beach State ParkDip back for a kiss with pregnant fiancée – Huntington Beach State ParkKiss on the belly – Huntington Beach State ParkBoyfriend and girlfriend walking down the beach – Huntington Beach State ParkLifting girlfriend into the air – Huntington Beach State ParkFamily in the sunset – Huntington Beach State Park
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