Claudia and John’s Montage Laguna Beach proposal was nothing short of thoughtful, romantic, and incredibly fun. My husband actually proposed to me at the Montage in 2017, so this particular proposal felt very personal to witness!

The Plan & Proposal Story

From the moment John reached out to me about photographing his proposal to Claudia, I could tell he was an intentional planner aiming to create a really unforgettable experience to add to the memory bank. John told me that he and Claudia shared one of their very first dates at the Montage Laguna Beach hotel lobby bar overlooking the ocean, and he wanted to recreate that experience for the proposal. Ever attentive to detail, John reached out to the team at Montage to share his plan. He worked closely with their hospitality services to reserve the table, orchestrate a timeline, and even include some personal touches along the way. After John and Claudia ordered their drinks, the bar staff delivered a tray that included a personal photograph of the couple together. Immediately upon seeing it, Claudia teared up, knowing that this was more than just an ordinary date! John dropped to one knee, and the rest is history. The whole lobby cheered when she said yes!

Engagement Photos on the Beach

After the big moment and a few subsequent moments to decompress, John and Claudia followed me outside where we walked around the gardens and then down to the sand, catching some photos of them together along the way. The palm trees, clear skies, and abundant colorful flowers perfectly framed these two who were so joyful. John had told me prior that he felt particularly drawn to analog film which threaded its way into their final gallery. I personally felt the dynamic range of film lent itself perfectly to the afternoon sun and long shadows by handling the contrast so evenly. Plus, the bright sun making all the landscape colors pop really came through in that grainy, dream-like final product. John and Claudia fall into each other very naturally and focused way more on being together than trying to pose a certain way which made the photos feel very organic and natural. I’m always thinking about how we can catch natural chemistry on camera, and these two nailed it!

My Proposal Advice

When it comes to planning proposals, it really differs based on the couple. My advice? Think about your partner. What will make them happy? For some folks, proposing in the privacy of home feels deeply romantic. For others, a grand gesture or intricate schedule of events will surprise and delight. Be thoughtful. Don’t rush. Be present when it happens. And don’t forget to invite me along to hide in a corner and capture it all!

If you like these Montage Laguna Beach proposal photos, you may also enjoy this Malibu engagement session. Please email me if you’re planning a proposal, I’d love to be a part of this!