A Surprise Marriage Proposal at El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
The proposal
Sean, a young man from the Boston area, reached out to me through my website with an exciting mission: he wanted to propose to his girlfriend, Carson, during their trip to Puerto Rico. His chosen venue? The breathtaking El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo—a place I’d previously experienced for corporate events, but never through the lens of love and nuptials.
Needless to say, I was thrilled.
The resort is vast and filled with hidden gems, and I was excited to explore it from a fresh perspective. As we approached the big day, Sean and I kept in contact—quietly. He had to be stealthy, of course. At times, he’d sneak off under the guise of a bathroom break just to text me updates. In a hilarious twist, he even saved my contact as “Uncle” on his phone to avoid raising any suspicion. Now that’s commitment!
Setting the Stage
So wholesome
On the day of the proposal, I packed up my essentials and hit the road around 3 p.m. Fajardo is about an hour and fifteen minutes from where I’m based, so I wanted to arrive with time to scout the exact location Sean had chosen.
He had arranged for the proposal to happen right beside Coquí Water Park, one of the resort’s most iconic spots. At the entrance, I met Fabiola, a newly hired staff member in charge of checking guests into the park. I quickly let her in on our covert operation. She was thrilled to play a role in the surprise and agreed to act as a cover—pretending I was just a guest asking for towels when Sean and Carson walked by.
The Moment Unfolds
Let’s sail this life…together
Not long after, I saw them: Sean in a green shirt and khakis, Carson in a flowing green dress—just as he had described. I discreetly grabbed my Canon EOS R6 Mark II, paired with my RF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L USM lens. This is my go-to setup for surprise proposals in Puerto Rico because it lets me stay hidden while capturing crisp, intimate moments from afar.
I found cover in the nearby bushes (yes, bushes!) and started snapping shots as the couple approached. Within moments, Sean dropped to one knee and pulled out the ring.
Carson’s reaction was absolutely priceless—one of the most genuinely emotional responses I’ve had the pleasure of capturing. Her face radiated shock, joy, and pure love. It was wholesome, magical, and completely unscripted. Even as I write this, I’m not sure it’s fully sunk in for her yet!
Capturing the Memories
Sunkissed
After the big moment, I introduced myself and showed them the hidden Insta360 X3 camera mounted on my main camera body, which had captured everything in video format. This is something I love offering to couples—an immersive way to relive such a powerful moment.
We then moved into our portrait session. I worked with the beautiful natural light until sunset, then switched to my flash kit, using the Godox AD200 Pro Mark II to create dynamic, balanced shots that honored both the couple and the breathtaking Fajardo landscape.
Planning Your Own Proposal in Puerto Rico?
He came…he conquered.
If you're considering popping the question in Puerto Rico, I’d love to help you plan and capture it all—from stealthy communication to that unforgettable moment on one knee. With a photographer who knows the island, the light, and the art of discretion, your proposal can be as seamless and magical as Sean and Carson’s.
Get in touch today to start planning your dream proposal session. I can’t wait to help you pull it off.
