Chris reached out a couple weeks before the proposal, and I could tell how excited he was from the first message. He wanted to propose to Katie in Stone Harbor, on the beach where his family has a house down the shore. That house and that stretch of sand mean a lot to both of them, and to both families, so getting the exact spot right mattered more than it usually does.
We went back and forth for a while on which beach, and which part of it. The weather has been all over the place this summer, so before we settled on anything I had a backup ready. The main plan was the beach between the dunes. The backup was a covered outdoor space in case the sky opened up. I do not walk into a shoot like this with only one option.
Stone Harbor sits at the south end of Seven Mile Island, right below Avalon. The beaches here are wide and quiet, with tall dunes and sea grass, which is exactly what you want for a surprise proposal. The dunes give me somewhere to tuck out of sight. The open sand gives the couple a clean ocean backdrop with nothing else in the frame. It is one of the prettiest and most private beaches in South Jersey, and now it goes on my list of shore towns where I have hidden a camera and caught a yes.
Planning Around a 100-Degree Beach
It was hot. Genuinely 100 degrees, with an offshore wind, which means no ocean breeze at all and no break in the heat. Scorching and humid. I was worried about the two of them standing out there in it. Part of how I plan a shoot like this is that I do not only check the Weather Channel. I also use the Surfline app, which gives me wind direction, tides, and surf for the day. Before every shoot I want to know all of it. What the tide is doing, which way the wind will blow, what the surf looks like, the temperature. The planning before I ever pick up a camera is where a lot of the work happens.
Here is where it broke their way. When I checked the app earlier in the day, the wind was set to swing around from the south later on for about a three hour window. Sure enough, about thirty minutes before the proposal, it shifted out of the south and the whole beach got more comfortable. After sweating over the heat all day, I will take it.
Facing Her Into the Wind
Katie’s best friend Phoebe met us out on the beach, and together we worked out the best spot to set up. Then I did my classic move. I draw an arrow in the sand for the exact direction I want the person being proposed to to face. I do it every time. It keeps her hair off her face and puts the wind on our side instead of fighting us. Since the wind was coming from the south, we had Katie face south.
She Said Yes
When Katie came onto the beach and saw the champagne chilling and the little table with the tablecloth, she was floored. Chris got down on one knee, and of course she said yes. How could she not. It’s Chris. My second photographer and I were tucked away where she had no idea we were, and the second it happened we popped up to meet them.
The Champagne Pop
Then came the champagne pop, which is always one of my favorite parts. Chris got the cork going and it sprayed everywhere while Katie threw her arms up and cheered. They poured a couple of glasses, kissed, and just stood there in it for a minute, letting it all land.
The Family Surprise
I still do not know how the family timed it as well as they did. Right as the couple finished their two glasses of champagne, they came walking down the beach. Chris knew they were coming. Katie had no idea. Surprising the person who just got proposed to a second time, with everyone they love, is one of the best feelings there is. We made a bunch of fun photographs with the whole family, including the two toddlers, who I was thrilled to get in the frames. I always love it when the family wants to pop out right after.
Down by the Water
Once the champagne settled and the family had their moment, I walked the two of them down toward the water for a few portraits. This is the payoff for all that planning around the wind and the light. They were too happy to be nervous in front of the camera. They had dinner plans later and one of the best holiday weekends you could ask for. Katie and Chris, thank you for letting me be part of it. I could not be happier for the two of you.
Ready to Plan Your Own Surprise Proposal?
Katie and Chris are one of many couples I have helped surprise at the Jersey Shore. If you are thinking about photographing a surprise proposal in Stone Harbor, Avalon, Cape May, or anywhere along the shore, I would love to help you plan every detail, right down to which way the wind is blowing. Reach out here and tell me the story.
Location: Stone Harbor, New Jersey
Photography: Jordan Brian Studios