Ryan proposed to Whitney on the Point Bonita Lighthouse suspension bridge at dawn! She had NO idea that it was about to happen and absolutely didn’t expect the entire family to appear seconds later.

It was a perfect daybreak with no wind and the most amazing views in the bay area. Of course, she said YES!

Ryan, Whitney and both of their families live in Texas. However, Ryan wanted to do something really special so he created an intricate plan to pop the question during their vacation in California.

They are both very close with their families and Ryan wanted the families to be part of proposal surprise. This took a great deal of planning and coordination including travel for about 30 family members, an access permit from the California Parks Department, and a photographer and park ranger who were in on it as well.

The park ranger told Whitney that the photographer (me) was there to document their tour for a brochure they were producing. This allowed me to interact with them and photography them as the tour progressed.

We were all in awe at how beautiful this place was and the weather was perfect. There were a lot fo great opportunities to photograph them as we went along. However, Whitney kept dodging my camera and hiding behind Ryan!

I so wanted to direct them so I could get the best shot but I had to wait…

Along the tour we saw a deer and her baby watching us. We also saw a lone coyote on his morning patrol.

We got to the lighthouse bridge just as the sun was about to break over the Marin Headlands hills next to the Golden Gate Bridge. I thought that maybe Ryan would propose right then… but he wanted to wait a little longer until the families had caught up with us.

Ryan took Whitney onto the suspension bridge that leads to the lighthouse and gathered his courage…

With tears in her eyes, Whitney said “YES!”

He then pointed out that their family was all there and she was completely blown away. She had no idea!

After the excitement of greeting everyone right there on the bridge, I was able to get a few shots of the newly engaged couple in one of the most beautiful spots in the country.

Congratulations, Whitney & Ryan!