Surprise proposals might look effortless in photos — but behind every tearful “yes” is a whole lot of planning.
From scouting locations to coordinating the perfect timing, I help take the stress out of the logistics so my clients can stay present in the moment.
Here’s a look behind the scenes of Itzel and Julio’s sunrise proposal.
The Magic Behind the Moment
When people see the final photo ... a joyful, tear-filled moment on top of a cliff with the lake sparkling behind ... it’s easy to assume it was a simple, spontaneous event.
But what most don’t see is the orchestration, the nerves, the texts, the early alarms, the snowy hikes, the shared locations, and the whispered code words.
Julio and Itzel’s surprise proposal on Eagle Rock was one of those moments that looks effortless — but behind the lens was a plan full of heart and intention.
The Plan Begins
Julio reached out to me with an idea: he wanted to propose to his girlfriend Itzel at one of Lake Tahoe’s most scenic spots — Eagle Rock.
From the very first message, I could feel how much love and care he was pouring into this.
We hopped on a call to go over it all — the hike, the timing, how to avoid suspicion. Every detail mattered.
Reassurance & Real Talk
I told Julio not to worry about “doing it perfectly.”
I reminded him that even if the knee drop wasn’t flawless, I’d probably have him redo it once for the perfect shot (and trust me, no one minds — they’re too happy).
My job? Capture the emotion and make them feel amazing.
His job? Be fully present with the woman he loves.
The Little Details That Matter
From pretending to be a fellow hiker making awkward small talk about birds, to sharing outfits via text, to using a “tripod selfie” as the signal — every piece was part of the plan.
We even talked about champagne, GPS pins, and where exactly to stand.
Sunrise + Strategy
By the time the sun rose, I was already at the top — scouting the best angles and the space in the rock for him to kneel.
I texted him updates on trail conditions, parking, and even reminded him to swing by Emerald Bay for the sunrise.
(If you’re up early for a proposal… might as well soak up every bit of Tahoe magic.)
The Moment She Said 'Yes!'
As they climbed the trail, I could feel the excitement... ok fine, it was my excitement. I always get so dang nervous. I am sure Julio beat me on the nervous scale though.
Julio casually set up his “phone tripod” for a selfie, as I sat in place pretending to take pictures of far off trees with my camera ready to roll.
And then —
The knee. The face grab. The tears. The YES.
Absolutely perfect.
Champagne Showers (literally)
After the “yes” and all the happy tears, we celebrated with a champagne pop — because what better way to mark the moment? The light was perfect for it, but the wind had other plans… and Itzel and Julio ended up wearing more champagne than they drank. Good thing they showed up in their North Face gear and were absolute champs about it. We got the shot, and the laughter made it even better.
They're Engaged!
Right after the Julio popped the question, we paused for a few portraits with the lake behind them. The wind, the light, and their freshly engaged smiles made the mountaintop moment feel even more magical. I & J are NATURALS in front of the camera.
Golden Light & Forest Trails
Once the adrenaline settled, we hiked down the trail together — stopping along the way whenever the light hit just right. If you know me, you know backlit trees are kind of my thing. These quieter moments gave Itzel and Julio time to soak it all in… and gave us some truly dreamy photos to wrap the morning.
Helping pull off surprise proposals is one of the absolute best parts of what I do. It’s not just about the photo — it’s about being part of someone’s real love story. It’s about calming nerves, guiding the timeline, and making sure the magic stays uninterrupted.
To I&J
Thank you for trusting me with this moment.
Here’s to a lifetime of sunrises and summits together. 💛
—Jen
At the end of the day, proposals are about more than just a pretty backdrop or a perfectly timed photo. They’re about trust. Trusting your photographer to show up early, to scout the light, to calm your nerves, to blend into the background, and to capture the moment exactly as it unfolds — tears, laughter, champagne spray and all.
If you're planning a surprise proposal (or even just dreaming about one), make sure you have someone behind the lens who genuinely cares — someone who will treat your moment like it matters. Because it does.
And if you need that someone in Lake Tahoe… you know where to find me.
-Jen
Ready to Pop the Question in Lake Tahoe?
Planning a surprise proposal can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. I’ll help you scout the location, come up with a plan, and capture every moment (without ruining the surprise).
✨ Let’s plan your perfect proposal.
📍 From Tahoe City to South Lake Tahoe, I know the best spots for golden light and epic views.
📸 Sneaky photos, champagne toasts, and picture-perfect memories included.
