Surprise Beach Proposal in Luquillo, Puerto Rico: How Shawn Popped the Question at La Pared

The climactic moment and happiness that ensued

     If you’ve been dreaming of a beach proposal in Puerto Rico, this story is for you. Set against the stunning backdrop of La Pared in Luquillo, a scenic beach town on the island’s northeast coast, this surprise proposal was romantic, thoughtful, and filled with meaning. With The Heart Bandits on planning duty and my camera ready to capture every second, it was the perfect blend of love and logistics. Let’s dive into how Shawn pulled off this unforgettable moment for Alanise.

Why Luquillo, Puerto Rico Was the Perfect Proposal Destination

He did good

     When Shawn began planning the proposal, he knew it needed to be special—and personal. Luquillo Beach offered the ideal blend of beauty and sentimentality. Known for its surf culture and less-crowded shoreline, La Pared served as a quiet, stunning canvas for his big moment. Even more meaningful? Alanise has Puerto Rican roots, and this location added a personal, cultural connection that made the day even more memorable.

Meet the Couple: Shawn & Alanise

Best picnic ever

     Shawn and Alanise are both active-duty members of the United States Air Force, stationed roughly 40 minutes outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Shawn originally hails from Long Island, New York, and Alanise’s family is from Puerto Rico—making this a destination proposal that felt like a homecoming.

     The timing couldn’t have been more poignant. Taking place just after Memorial Day, it was a powerful reminder of their service and love. I made sure to personally thank them both for their commitment and sacrifice.

Pre-Proposal Planning: Nervous Groom, Stealthy Photographer

Kids

     A few days before the big event, I reached out to Shawn to check in. I always like to connect with my grooms ahead of time—this helps ease nerves, refine the vision, and reassure them that they’re in good hands. Shawn was excited, a little anxious (who wouldn’t be?), but ultimately ready to take the leap.

     On proposal day, I arrived early to scope out the scene and meet with the decorator on-site. La Pared is beautiful but wild—it’s more of a surf beach than a lounging spot. There was a fair amount of debris and uneven sand, but she made it work, setting up a gorgeous floral arch that looked straight out of a Pinterest board.

Battling the Elements (Like a Pro)

Surreal

     Of course, Puerto Rico weather can be unpredictable. Light rain came and went in ten-minute intervals, prompting a bit of concern from Alanise’s father. I reassured him that I’d been monitoring the radar and the drizzle would pass soon—which it did.

     Knowing we were shooting on the east coast, I didn’t count on a golden sunset. Instead, I adapted my setup to use the Sun as a key light, which helped add beautiful, natural dimension to their photos. I even brought a folding beach chair and pretended to watch the surfers—just another day in the life of a stealthy proposal photographer!

The Signal, the Moment, the YES

Arms raised in a V

     As Shawn and Alanise walked hand in hand down the beach, I knew we were getting close. I flipped on my GoPro Hero 13, mounted to my Canon R6 Mark II, to record the entire moment from my point of view.

     Our secret signal? A twist of his diamond stud earring. That was my cue. As soon as I saw it, I sprang into action, photographing the entire proposal in both portrait and landscape mode to give them a full range of storytelling images.

     Of course, nothing ever goes perfectly—a free-spirited photographer perched on a nearby boulder photobombed most of my wide shots. 😅 But with a little Photoshop magic, I ensured that nothing distracted from the emotional power of the moment.

Post-Proposal Celebration: Picnic, Portraits & Flash Magic

Bliss

     After Alanise said “yes”—with tears, kisses, and so much joy—we transitioned into a romantic picnic setup, complete with champagne, florals, and heartfelt candid moments.

     As the sun continued to drop, we moved to the shoreline for some editorial-style portraits, followed by a bold flash photography session to close out the evening with a dramatic, high-fashion vibe. I love combining natural light and artificial lighting to create galleries that are both timeless and cinematic.

Final Thoughts and a Note to Future Clients

Epic

     I’m absolutely thrilled with how these images turned out, and even more grateful to have witnessed such a meaningful chapter in Shawn and Alanise’s love story. Being a proposal photographer in Puerto Rico means I get to experience these once-in-a-lifetime moments—and I never take that for granted.

     If you’re planning a surprise proposal in Puerto Rico, I’d love to be part of it. Whether you're working with The Heart Bandits or organizing something on your own, I’ll be there to capture every second with care, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.

📩 Ready to plan your own unforgettable moment?
Let’s make magic together—reach out to me here or send a DM to start planning.