Some sessions just stick with you—the kind that make you grin the entire drive home and maybe even tear up a little while editing. This was that session. Hands-down one of my all-time favorites. It’s the kind of proposal photography I live for—real, raw, and ridiculously joyful. Why? Because Luke and Kelsey didn’t pose. They didn’t overthink. They just showed up as themselves—completely in love, totally in the moment, and basically glowing.

Luke reached out to me with a plan: pull off a surprise wedding proposal for his longtime girlfriend of seven years, Kelsey. (That’s like 49 dog years of dating. The man was ready.) They kicked off the day with a hike through Torrey Pines, which—smart move—meant Kelsey had no clue what was coming next. Just another beach day, right?

Wrong. Cue Windansea Beach in La Jolla.
They made their way down the sand-dusted cliffs with that breezy, we’re-just-adventuring-together energy. Our cue? When Luke pulled out his phone for a “selfie,” I made my way down to position myself with a clear shot. Moments later, he was on one knee—and as you can see, her face said it all. Pure, raw, are-you-serious-right-now?! joy.

This beach proposal was magic. But the engagement session that followed? On another level.

They ran. They spun. They skipped—before I even had the chance to ask. They were playful and totally wrapped up in each other, like no one else existed on that beach in La Jolla. It was one of those rare sessions where I barely had to direct anything. They just got it. The love, the fun, the freedom of not needing to “perform” for the camera.

I swear I had a perma-smile plastered across my face the entire time. Every photo felt like a window into their relationship—light, real, and overflowing with joy.

If you’re dreaming of proposing on the beach somewhere epic and emotional, Windansea Beach in La Jolla delivers every single time. And if you want an experience that feels as natural as it looks, this is your sign to just show up, be yourself, and let the love do the work.

Thinking about proposal photography in San Diego?

Whether you’ve been together 7 years or 7 months, I’ll help you pull off the moment of a lifetime. As a proposal photographer San Diego couples trust for heartfelt, zero-pressure photos, I’ve got the plan, the timing, and the sneakiness down to a science.

Congratulations to Kelsey and Luke—you made magic. Now let’s do the same for YOU.

Lisa G (Elle G) is a San Diego beach photographer based in Pacific Beach, CA. Proudly serving San Diego’s coastal communities: La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Mission Beach, Mission Bay, Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach, Point Loma and Coronado. 858-344-1068. To chat about booking your own engagement session, click HERE.