🌈 A Love Reunited: Larry & Victor’s Sunrise Proposal in Puerto Rico

Love always finds its way back home — sometimes even after 17 years.

     Every so often, a story comes along that reminds me why I do what I do. Larry’s first email landed in my inbox like a beam of light — heartfelt, vulnerable, full of history and love that had clearly been waiting years to bloom again.

He wrote:

“I saw your website and fell in love... I’m going to propose to my boyfriend Victor… We actually dated 17 years ago… We parted as friends, reunited this year, and we are ready. It’s time.”

     From that moment, I knew this wasn’t just another surprise proposal in Puerto Rico. This was a full-circle moment, a love story touching down again right where it began — on the island that had once been their grand romantic gesture.

Reconnecting and Planning the Perfect Proposal

Two hearts, one sunrise, and a forever that finally arrived.

     Larry and I connected over FaceTime the moment he had a chance to sneak away. He joked that he set my notifications to silent so Victor wouldn’t suspect anything — borderline cheating, he laughed. That’s when I knew this proposal wasn’t just important… it was sacred.

     Originally, we planned to shoot at La Concha Resort, a venue where I’ve photographed countless weddings and engagements. But life happens, and that location fell through. Instead of stress, we pivoted — and honestly, the universe did us a favor.

     We set our sights east toward El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, a stunning oceanfront property known for breathtaking sunrises. Why sunrise? Because Larry was drawn to the idea of a Blue Hour proposal — that magical sliver of time before the sun rises, when the world is quiet, the light is soft, and the moment belongs solely to the couple.

Blue Hour: A Challenge Worth Every Second

Because all love stories deserve to be celebrated in the light they were meant for.

     I woke up at 3:00 a.m., drove to Old San Juan to pick up my videographer, Bryan, and headed to Fajardo. By the time we arrived, the sky was still pitch black. We valeted the car, hopped onto the resort’s funicular, and started prepping gear we could barely see.

Blue Hour photography is rewarding — but it’s not for the faint of heart.
Your location is empty.
Your colors turn cinematic.
But… you’re also shooting in near darkness. As 6:00 a.m. approached, the faintest hint of orange teased the horizon. It was time.

The Moment Larry Dropped to One Knee

Love is love — and this moment was pure magic.

     Communication with Larry was spotty — understandably, since he couldn’t risk letting Victor see a single notification from me. Thankfully, the concierge team escorted them down to the green area we had planned for.

Bryan and I hid behind a gazebo, sneaking around like undercover agents every time they shifted direction.

When they reached the palm trees, morning light finally began revealing the world around us.

I had told Larry:
“Drop to one knee at 6:10 a.m. — not earlier.”
He did it at 6:15 a.m.

Still a touch dim… but the heart doesn’t care about ideal lighting. He felt the moment. He took it.

Victor turned toward him — shocked, emotional — and they slipped matching rings onto each other’s hands. I’d never seen matching proposal rings before. It was beautiful.

And then? A moment I’ll never forget:
Larry turned to Bryan and whispered, “Francis…?”

That’s how dark it still was. Even after FaceTime, he couldn’t tell us apart. We laughed for minutes.

The Engagement Session That Followed

Sunrise proposals and soul-deep connections — my favorite kind of morning.

     Once the sun broke fully over the horizon, we transitioned into their engagement shoot. Bryan focused on video, while I balanced between creative flash and the dreamy pastel light only sunrise can give you.

Their chemistry was effortless.
Their joy was contagious.
And their story — 17 years apart, now finding their way back to each other — felt powerful in every frame.

Why This Story Matters to Me

Here’s to the couples who choose love boldly, beautifully, and unapologetically.

     As a wedding and proposal photographer in Puerto Rico, I’ve documented over thirty surprise proposals just this year alone. But this one carried a weight beyond the photographs.

     As someone who proudly welcomes all couples — especially LGBTQIA+ couples — capturing Larry and Victor’s moment reminded me why visibility matters. Too many same-sex couples still hesitate when choosing a photographer. Too many wonder if they’ll be judged or treated differently.

My mission is simple:
Love is love, and every couple deserves a photographer who celebrates them wholeheartedly. To Larry and Victor — thank you for trusting me. For letting me witness your sunrise, your reunion, your beginning.

Wishing you both a beautiful life together. 🌈💍✨