Did you know that sunsets look different at different times of year? When you shoot at the same locations year round, you learn to notice how important the direction of the sun is. A winter sunset will look different from a summer sunset on the coast because the angle of the sun affects which views get soaked in the golden light. When shooting on the cliffside, you're also limited by where you can stand. But the very nuances of Big Sur are exactly what make it so magical in the first place. Check out the rest of A + G's Big Sur coast engagement session below!

S + R had always loved driving down Highway 1 - they would often spend weekends stopping at turnouts to explore and adventure on the California coast. So when it came time to propose, R knew that he wanted to do in Big Sur. With the calla lilies just at the end of their blooming season, they came just at the right time for a sunny (albeit a bit windy) day on the coast. Check out the rest of S + R's proposal and engagement session below!

A knew that his girlfriend would want to be dressed up for the proposal, so he came up with a brilliant plan to make sure that she wouldn't suspect a thing. He told her that they were going to a yacht party, so they dressed accordingly and made their way down to Big Sur to stop and see the views. When they arrived at the hilltop, he surprised her with the proposal and she could not believe it. My favorite part of the story was when he introduced me as the photographer - she said "Lynn, you mean Lynn Lewis?" I was confused at how she knew who I was - turns out she had been pinning my photos on Pinterest, but he didn't even know! He had found me completely separately through researching Big Sur proposals. Check out the rest of their Big Sur proposal below!

If there's one thing to know about weather, it's that it can be unpredictable - especially on the coast of Big Sur. One day it can be sunny, and then next it can be completely cloudy. But even in the course of a day, you might run into a day like this. It was abnormally warm for this early spring day, and the sun shone brightly as hikers dressed in shorts and t-shirts came to explore the coast. But just as the sun was about to set, a dramatic fog cloud rolled in. It created the dreamiest atmosphere for J's proposal, as the sun mixed with the fog for a once-in-a-lifetime experience here in Big Sur. His girlfriend had a small inkling that he might be proposing soon, but it didn't take away from all the tears and emotion she felt when the moment actually happened. Check out the rest of their romantic Big Sur proposal below!

Every year I'll get a couple of proposal inquiries that'll ask for just the 15 minutes of the proposal itself captured, which is something I don't offer as my proposal sessions are at least an hour long. The reason is this - I'm not just here to take a few photos and leave, I'm here to create an experience and document those memories. You might've heard that studies show that investing in experiences often results in greater happiness, and that's something that I believe is so important as a photographer. It's moments like watching these two have ear-to-ear grins when they call each other fiance for the first time, catching the glances when she'll stop just to stare at her engagement ring in awe, and hearing her say that her hand can't stop shaking from the excitement that are so important. Those moments are the ones I'm always looking for - not just the 15 minutes of the proposal - though those are some of my favorite moments! - but the ones that can only be found through taking the time to slow down and just enjoy the experience. Check out the rest of T + B's sweet Big Sur proposal below - bring on all the tears!

People sometimes ask, how can it be a surprise proposal if she’s all dressed up? I’m not sure about you, but I’m in PJs and leggings 95% of the time, and then dresses the remaining 5% of the time when we finally go somewhere nice just for us and not work. But even if it’s not 100% a surprise - a girl sometimes just knows - that doesn’t take away how special the actual moment can be. The exact moment it happens, all else fades away and it all sinks in. This is real. This is happening. Check out more photos from these two's romantic proposal on the coast of Big Sur for proposal ideas and inspiration!

When the emotion is real, capturing each and every moment is so much more than framing a beautiful couple in front of a beautiful backdrop. It’s capturing the minute movements and expressions that fly by so quickly. B knew that A had always wanted to see this famous landmark, so I suggested they get up early before the crowds hit. We quickly identified each other as the only two cars at the pullout, and walked out to the bridge where we had arranged for him to ask me to take a selfie for him. Watching their proposal unfold was so incredibly beautiful - A couldn’t stop crying and jumping up and down in excitement. And what I loved even more about these two was that even as we continued taking engagement photos after, she couldn’t stop tearing up in between shots and smiling from ear to ear. 10/10 would wake up at 5 AM any day to capture these moments - check out the rest of their Big Sur Bixby Bridge proposal!

​There's just something special about sunrises. D persuaded S to go on a morning walk down by the coast on a quiet Saturday morning to avoid the crowds, but what she didn’t expect was a romantic picnic all set up for him to propose. They adventured down to the beach after and luckily the high tides didn’t get us...until the very end of the session. I might’ve returned to the car with wet shoes, socks, and pants and had to crank the foot heater on high, but it was well worth it! Check out the rest of their Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay proposal below!

One awesome thing that has come out of the pandemic has been the emergence of luxury picnic pop up companies! With so many restaurants and date night options closed, these companies have become such a great way to create a romantic experience outdoors. So when C started planning his proposal at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, he knew he wanted to make it special by having a picnic on the beach. On a cloudy winter day, they walked down the trail to find the picnic set up for them, where he surprised her with a ring - and yes, her reaction said it all that it was truly the sweetest surprise! Check out more photos from C + S's Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay proposal below!