What do you do when your sister’s getting married in the freaking Maldives? You hop a flight, toss your cutest swimsuit in a bag, and—if you’re Kristen—you plan the dreamiest engagement photography beach session while you’re there. Because when the backdrop is white sand, turquoise water, and jaw-dropping sunsets, you don’t just show up—you show up with your fiancé and a camera-ready kind of glow. You schedule engagement photos that will make everyone on Instagram sob into their lunch.

Ward & Kristen flew to the Maldives for her sister’s wedding (talk about setting the bar high for future family events), and while they were there—with the white sand and crystal-clear water basically begging to be in a photo—we snuck in a golden-hour engagement session on beach Velassaru.

Zero regrets.

Engagement Photos in the Maldives? Yes, please.

Here’s the thing about photographing a couple like Ward & Kristen: they’re effortlessly stylish but also totally real. Not in a “we’re pretending to laugh while running down the beach” kind of way. More like the way he couldn’t stop kissing her forehead, or the way she looked at him like he was the only other person on the planet, even with waves crashing behind them and the sky putting on a full sunset show.

Velassaru Beach: A Literal Dream

We shot these Maldives engagement photos at Velassaru Beach—aka the kind of place that makes you question why you ever wear shoes or schedule meetings or pay taxes. The sand was soft, the water was the kind of blue you can’t Photoshop, and the breeze was doing just enough work to give Kristen’s hair its own moment.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like to bottle up pure romance and sunshine? It’s this shoot. Right here.

Why Engagement Photos Abroad Hit Different

There’s something magic that happens when you shoot vacation engagement pictures. There’s no rushing. No stress. No “wait, did I bring the right shoes?” Because honestly, barefoot looks better anyway. It’s just you, your person, and the ocean being its best self.

Ward & Kristen brought that relaxed kind of love—the kind that says “we’ve got this,” even when there’s sand in your shoes and a seaplane taking off in the background. (Honestly? Seaplane photobomb: 10/10.)

Thinking of Destination Engagement Photography Beach Style?

If you’re heading somewhere magical—Maldives, Maui, San Diego, or the Italian coast—I’ll be the one saying “Yes, yes, a thousand times YES” to squeezing in a dreamy destination engagement session. You’re already dressed up. You’re already glowy. And trust me: you’re never going to regret having those memories captured in a place that made your heart skip.

So if you’re planning your own “we’re just here for the wedding but also let’s make some photo magic” trip, slide into my inbox. I’ll bring the camera. You bring the love.

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 portrait session click HERE.