An & Steve’s surprise proposal in front of the Arch of Cabo San Lucas
Some marriage proposals are carefully planned. Others require a little bit of creativity, coordination, and a very good secret.
An and Steve’s proposal in Los Cabos was definitely one of those.
Steve first contacted me after finding some of my work on TikTok. He already had an idea in mind for how he wanted to propose to An, but he needed someone who could help him make the moment happen without giving anything away.
The plan was simple in theory: take a private boat ride through the beautiful waters of Cabo San Lucas, wait for the perfect moment in front of the famous Arch, and have Steve get down on one knee.
The difficult part?
Making sure An had absolutely no idea what was coming.
The Plan: Keep Everything a Secret
Steve and I talked through his idea and started planning the details. We needed the proposal to feel spontaneous and natural, without An noticing that anything unusual was happening.
That's when we came up with a slightly unconventional plan.
I would pretend to be part of the staff from Cabo Sailing and board the yacht before the couple arrived. My job was to photograph the experience while making sure An believed I was simply the photographer assigned to their boat trip.
I contacted the Cabo Sailing team ahead of time, explained the situation, and asked for permission to join the boat specifically to photograph the proposal.
Thankfully, they were incredibly helpful and immediately understood what we were trying to accomplish. Their crew was welcoming and professional throughout the entire experience, and they became an important part of making the surprise work.
Everything was ready.
Now we just had to hope An didn't notice anything.
Waiting at the Marina
The day of the proposal arrived, and I was already waiting at the Marina of Cabo San Lucas with the captain and the captain's assistant.
When An and Steve arrived, everything immediately felt natural.
There was no awkwardness, no suspicious behavior, and most importantly, no reason for An to think that anything unusual was about to happen.
I introduced myself as the photographer from the boat and began documenting their experience just as I normally would.
The plan was working.
The Perfect Moment
As the yacht made its way through the beautiful waters of Cabo San Lucas, the atmosphere became increasingly perfect.
The ocean was calm, the weather was beautiful, and the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas appeared in the distance.
This was the moment we had been waiting for. We had already discussed a specific signal between Steve and me. I would create the opportunity for a photograph of the two of them with the Arch in the background, and when the time was right, I would give him the signal.
I asked them to get into position.
An had no idea.
I raised my camera, looked toward Steve, and gave him the signal we had planned.
And that's when everything changed.
Steve reached for the ring.
He got down on one knee.
And he asked An the question she never expected to hear that afternoon.
She Said Yes!
For a photographer, these are the moments you wait for.
An's reaction was immediate. She was completely surprised, emotional, and incredibly happy.
She said yes.
They embraced, kissed, laughed, and took in the reality of what had just happened. Of course, photographing a proposal from a moving boat comes with its own challenges. The yacht was constantly moving with the waves, which made positioning and timing a little more complicated than a proposal on solid ground.
But somehow, everything came together perfectly.
The most important photograph was captured.
And more importantly, the surprise was a success.
Celebrating Their Engagement on the Water
After giving them a few moments to enjoy the experience privately, we continued photographing their first moments as an engaged couple.
We captured photographs of them together, close-ups of the engagement ring, and portraits of An proudly showing off her new ring.
The rest of the afternoon flowed naturally.
Romantic music played in the background, drinks were provided by the Cabo Sailing crew, and the couple simply enjoyed being together and celebrating their new chapter. At this point, there was no more secret to keep.
The nerves were gone, and what remained was pure happiness.
The yacht, the ocean, the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, and that beautiful afternoon became the setting for the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
More Than Just a Photograph
One of the things I enjoy most about photographing proposals is knowing that I'm not simply taking photographs.
I'm becoming part of a moment that cannot be repeated.
When someone trusts me with something as important as a marriage proposal, I understand the responsibility that comes with it. There is no second chance to recreate that first reaction, the surprise, the tears, or the moment when someone realizes that their life is about to change.
That's why these sessions mean so much to me.
Steve trusted me with his plan. Cabo Sailing trusted me enough to let me become part of their crew for the afternoon. And An trusted me without even knowing that I was secretly there to document one of the most important moments of her life.
Everything came together.
A New Chapter for An & Steve
Congratulations to An and Steve on their engagement and on the beginning of this exciting new chapter together.
It was an absolute pleasure to help bring Steve's idea to life and to capture the surprise, emotion, and happiness that followed.
If you're thinking about proposing in Los Cabos, whether it's on a yacht in front of the Arch, on a quiet beach, during sunset, or somewhere completely different, I'd love to help you create something that feels personal and unforgettable.
Every proposal is different, and every couple has their own story. My goal is always the same: to help you plan the moment, keep the surprise alive, and make sure that when the question is finally asked, I'm there with my camera ready to capture the answer.
Because you only get one chance to ask the question.
Let's make sure the photographs are worth remembering forever.
