Jacob & Gwen’s Unforgettable Puerto Rico Marriage Proposal at Punta Borinquen

Gwen and Jacob at Punta Borinquen Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

     A young man named Jacob reached out to me via my website about a month ago, letting me know he wanted to propose to his sweetheart, Gwen—the girlfriend he met a very long time ago.

     Immediately, as per usual, I went ahead and invited him to a FaceTime call not just to break the ice, but to get a feel for where his head was at, catch his vibe, and get to know his story. It’s customary for me as a wedding photographer in Puerto Rico to get the prospective client face-to-face (mostly through virtual meetings because most of my clients are destination clients) and learn the vision they have for their special day.

It was all a blur.

     Jacob proceeded to tell me he wanted to propose with a west coast sunset, namely at a beach usually reserved for surfing and aptly called Surfer’s Beach. It’s one that I’m actually familiar with from my days visiting my father as a child, since he lives in the city where the beach is located—Aguadilla.

     The funny thing about all of this is that I was there a week prior to Jacob’s proposal day scouting locations for yet another proposal. It turns out that another client wanted to propose in Rincón, a city not too far away from Aguadilla. But the path of Hurricane Erin just north of Puerto Rico the day before rendered Rincón incredibly ugly. The sargassum was everywhere, the waves were monumental, and the water was muddy.

Jacob at Punta Borinquen beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

     That’s when I went to Aguadilla because I had remembered an isolated, private, and spacious beach called Punta Borinquen that I also frequented as a kid. Not only did I end up visiting, but I took a video for both my client that day (of which he approved) as well as Jacob’s proposal a week later. I sent it to Jacob, and shortly thereafter he agreed that it was much more of an ideal setting for his marriage proposal in Puerto Rico.

     As a fun side note, Jacob texted me a few days prior with what he called a “non-proposal” related text. He simply wanted to know how he could get back to the city after taking an Uber all the way to the west coast—something that can be quite pricey. Out of the goodness of my heart, I told him he could simply ride back with me since I wasn’t planning on staying overnight in Aguadilla. He couldn’t believe my gesture and was incredibly grateful to have a courteous human being for a proposal photographer in Puerto Rico.

Gwen in awe at Punta Borinquen Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

     I got there extremely early and parked right in front of the Aguadilla airport to text Jacob some instructions. Because I now know there is little to no cellphone service at Punta Borinquen Beach, I needed to make sure we’d be on the same page prior to losing signal. Once I got the “thumbs up” reaction on my iPhone, I proceeded to cut through the golf course that you inevitably have to take to reach this beach in particular.

     As I parked my car and made my way to the sand, I realized that the farthest section was completely wide open, right in front of the tall cliff with the green foliage. I found a stick in the sand, drew an arrow to where I wanted him to propose, and then placed a coconut next to it so that he could easily find his spot for the proposal in Puerto Rico.

Never let a good silhouette pass me by.

     As the clock neared 6:00 p.m., I made small talk with a photographer from Utah who happened to be there and noticed I had my camera equipment. As part of the pleasantries we exchanged, I kindly asked her to peek over my shoulder to see if Jacob had mustered the courage to propose to Gwen at the location I had designated. When she gave me the green light, we were off to the races.

     I used my trusty Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L USM lens to capture that magical moment—a lens I once considered selling but will never let go of because of the vast number of proposals in Puerto Rico I’ve been privileged to photograph. After the dust settled, I quickly introduced myself in person for the first time (something that’s the norm for me as a destination wedding photographer in Puerto Rico) and exchanged some quick banter with the newly engaged couple.

Ring shots are so dreamy!

     Shortly thereafter, I switched to my Canon RF 50mm f/1.2—my favorite lens of all time and one I use often to capture those raw, intimate moments with my couples during engagement sessions in Puerto Rico. It renders so beautifully and allows me to convey the affection and love couples share right after they say “yes” to one another.

     To put the finishing touches on yet another epic Puerto Rico marriage proposal, I pulled out my favorite flash, the Godox AD200 Pro Mark II, and worked with the extremely gorgeous sunset we were blessed with during Golden Hour.

Puppy love.

     I’m honestly floored by how ethereal this session turned out, and I highly encourage you to contact me if you’d like to have your marriage proposal in Puerto Rico photographed. This island offers breathtaking backdrops, heartfelt moments, and unforgettable experiences—something Jacob and Gwen now know firsthand.

Epic finish.

A Puerto Rico Proposal Story: How We Turned Hurricane Erin’s Aftermath Into a Dream Engagement

The proposal that almost didn’t happen.

     When Cesar first reached out to me through my website two months ago, he was searching for a proposal photographer in Puerto Rico who could capture one of the most important moments of his life: asking his longtime girlfriend, Sondrea, to marry him. Like I do with all my clients, I suggested a quick FaceTime call so we could break the ice, talk through ideas, and align on his vision for the big day.

     Cesar knew he wanted a Puerto Rico proposal on the west coast, preferably at a beach in Rincón, one of the island’s most romantic and picturesque destinations. Together, we narrowed it down to Domes Beach, a favorite among surfers, but also perfect for proposals since most people stay in the water, leaving the sandy shore quiet and intimate.

Hurricane Erin Changes Everything

Legend has it Sondrea is still processing what happened.

     The day before Cesar’s planned proposal, Hurricane Erin passed just north of Puerto Rico. The storm left its mark across Rincón: sargassum lined the coast, the waves were rough, and the once turquoise waters had turned an unappealing brown. I scouted Domes Beach early that morning and quickly realized it wasn’t suitable for a proposal. I also checked Los Almendros Beach, another possible option, but conditions there were even worse.

     At that moment, I faced a decision: postpone the proposal or go above and beyond to find a new spot—on the very same day. For me, client service always comes first. Postponement wasn’t an option.

Scouting for the Perfect Proposal Location

Drama everywhere.

     I drove an hour to Aguadilla to check out Surfer’s Beach, a location another client had mentioned. Unfortunately, it too was covered in debris. Time was running out, and I needed to find a beautiful and private location fast.

     That’s when I remembered Punta Borinquen Beach, a hidden gem my father used to take me to when I was a child. Tucked away behind a golf course and accessible only by crossing a small wooden bridge, the beach revealed itself as a breathtaking, secluded paradise. Clean sand, blue water, and an untouched cliffside backdrop—it was everything a Puerto Rico proposal planner dreams of.

     I quickly filmed a short video and sent it to Cesar. Within seconds, he agreed to drive the extra hour. Just like me, he fell in love with the spot instantly.

The Proposal Setup

You can’t make this up.

     Cesar had arranged for a violinist and his cousin to help with decorations. While the musician was ready and waiting, his cousin accidentally set up on the opposite side of the bridge from where I had recommended. With daylight fading fast, we scrambled to move everything to the better location. By the time we finished, it was already 6:40 p.m.—forty minutes later than planned.

     That left us with only about twenty minutes of light for photos. But as a proposal photographer in Puerto Rico, I wasn’t going to let logistics ruin the moment. I worked quickly and captured every angle of the proposal, including romantic portraits of the couple afterward.

The Big Moment

Sweet embrace.

     Despite the last-minute challenges, the proposal was magical. With live violin music filling the air, Cesar dropped to one knee as the ocean sparkled in the background. Sondrea’s reaction was pure joy, and she later told us how grateful she was that we had gone the extra mile to make the moment so special.

     As the sun dipped below the horizon, I pulled out my flash to capture creative twilight shots, with a soft blue hue behind them. The images turned out ethereal, and Cesar and Sondrea now have a gallery filled with once-in-a-lifetime memories.

Why Hiring a Proposal Photographer in Puerto Rico Matters

All smiles that day.

     Proposals don’t always go exactly as planned. Weather, logistics, and last-minute changes can throw curveballs, but having an experienced Puerto Rico proposal photographer makes all the difference. Beyond just taking pictures, my role often feels like that of a Puerto Rico proposal planner—scouting locations, troubleshooting problems, and ensuring everything aligns perfectly for that once-in-a-lifetime moment.

     If you’re considering a Puerto Rico proposal, whether in Rincón, Aguadilla, San Juan, or elsewhere on the island, choosing the right photographer is essential. Not only will you walk away with beautiful images, but you’ll also have someone in your corner making sure the entire experience feels effortless and unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

It hasn’t hit her yet.

     Cesar and Sondrea’s engagement is one I’ll never forget. From hurricanes to last-minute location switches, it was the most challenging proposal I’ve photographed—but also one of the most rewarding. The pictures reflect not just their love story, but the resilience and dedication that went into making it happen.

If you’re ready to plan your own Puerto Rico proposal photography experience, I’d be honored to capture it for you.