Early Morning Garrapata Proposal
Earlier today, I had the privilege of photographing an unforgettable proposal for Ho-Shing and Shaina along the rugged coastline of Garrapata in Big Sur. Ho-Shing had reached out to me a few months ago with the idea of proposing to his girlfriend in the early morning light, and I immediately knew it would be a magical setting. He chose August as the month to pop the question—a fantastic choice for Big Sur and Carmel.
August here is a unique time. By late summer, the summer crowds begin to thin as school starts back up, meaning fewer people along the trails and beaches. Another bonus? The fog that often blankets the coast in July begins to fade away. August, September, and October often bring the clearest, most beautiful days in Big Sur—conditions that last well into December. The timing for Ho-Shing’s proposal was also right in the middle of Car Week, a huge annual event in Monterey and Carmel that brings hundreds of thousands of visitors. Knowing this, he wisely opted for a sunrise proposal, ensuring a peaceful and intimate moment before the area became busy.
The morning was absolutely perfect. Aside from one older gentleman quietly enjoying the scenery, we had the coastline almost entirely to ourselves. Ho-Shing planned the proposal about two hours before sunrise, giving us the most serene setting as the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon. The marine layer slowly lifted, revealing the dramatic cliffs and crashing waves that make Garrapata such a stunning location. When the moment came, Ho-Shing dropped to one knee, prepared with heartfelt words he had thought about in advance. This gave me the chance to capture the moment from multiple angles, ensuring they’d have a beautiful collection of images from every perspective.
Shaina’s reaction was pure joy—surprise, excitement, and so much love. After giving them a few minutes to take in the moment privately, we explored more of Garrapata for their engagement photos. The soft morning light was perfect, and the lingering marine layer diffused the sun beautifully. This kind of lighting is one of the reasons I always recommend early morning or golden hour for proposals—it makes a world of difference in your final images.
One of my favorite things about photographing proposals is recreating the “moment” in different settings after the real thing happens. At Garrapata, we found a few other scenic spots where Ho-Shing could get down on one knee again, allowing for a variety of backdrops. This not only tells the full story of the proposal but also gives couples options for prints and albums. If you’re dreaming of your own Big Sur proposal, elopement, or engagement session—whether at Garrapata or anywhere along the coast—I’d love to help capture it. Reach out to inquire about your date and start planning your unforgettable moment.
