My favorite engagement pictures and surprise proposals of 2023

March 19, 2024Ryan Smith

Lift into the air in front of the sunset - Huntington Beach State Park

As I said last year, I can’t believe another year is already over, and I’m about to hit the busy season of 2024. Before things get too busy, I like to look back at some of my favorite pictures from the previous year. So today, I’m making a quick post with some of my favorite engagement pictures and surprise proposals for 2023.

Engagement pictures at the Conway Riverwalk

I did several engagement sessions and even a surprise proposal last year at the Conway Riverwalk. This is a long boardwalk on the Waccamaw River in Conway, about 30 minutes inland from Myrtle Beach. It’s covered by old oak trees and hanging moss and has docks that go out over the water with great views of the river. It also has some abandoned train tracks heading into the woods. I used to stick to the boardwalk and train tracks for pictures. However, lately, I’ve been taking couples further down the path if they are up for a little walk. Heading past The Cypress Inn and boat docks, there is another section with interesting old tree roots by the water’s edge and a beautiful walkway under classic street lamps and moss-covered crape myrtle trees.

I also recently took the wedding pictures for one of my engagement couples featured below. Something I found out when shooting their winter wedding, Conway decorates the oak trees with lots of hanging lights. It’s like a mini version of the Night of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens. If a couple wants the look of all the hanging lights without the hassle of making special arrangements with Brookgreen, the Conway Riverwalk around the holidays is a good option. I will include a picture here of this couple’s wedding, but if you want to try this for engagement pictures around the holidays, please let me know!

Bride and groom in front of the winter lights - Conway Riverwalk — The hanging lights on the Conway Riverwalk, let’s try this for some engagement pictures next winter.

Another couple, the ones with the cowboy boots at the end of the gallery, are my friends from CrossFit Myrtle Beach. They spent two days helping my wife and me move, so I really owed them at least some engagement pictures. I wish I could also do their wedding, but I’m already booked on their date. Her fiancé is a little uncomfortable with the pictures, like most guys are, but I think I got him to relax and have some fun.

Surprise proposals at the Huntington Beach State Park

As I do every year, I also did a lot of surprise proposals at the state parks. I prefer Huntington Beach State Park because there are many options for pictures, and it’s much less crowded than Myrtle Beach State Park. In fact, if you want to see my recommended way to do a surprise proposal that you won’t forget in Myrtle Beach, check out this post on my blog. I had a couple of engagement sessions where the tide was high enough to cover the sand but left a sand bar where I could walk out into the ocean. I always love it when I can get the sunset behind the couple with the sun reflecting in the water in the foreground.

One other unique session for me last year. I had an older couple that wanted to do a proposal at sunrise in Ocean Isle Beach. I had to get up very early for that, and I’m not a morning person. They were a very happy and sweet couple, and it was worth it. It’s beautiful getting to see the sun rise over the ocean. I still always tell clients I prefer the sunset. Part of this is I don’t like getting up so early 😂, but I really do prefer the look I get with the soft light of the setting sun.

I hope you enjoy this look back at my favorite engagement and surprise proposal pictures of 2023. If you are planning your engagement in Myrtle Beach, please let me know. I’m always happy to help you make it something special.