A sunrise surprise proposal in Costa Brava: Tameet & Mahneet

Walking towards the proposal location

After the first portraits, we began making our way down towards the cove. I continued giving them simple directions: walk together, hold hands, stop near the water and look towards the shoreline.

This part of the route kept the session flowing naturally. At the same time, I watched the activity on the pier, checked the direction of the light and made sure the selected proposal spot remained available.

Near the water, I took several individual portraits of Mahneet. This gave me an opportunity to discreetly hand the ring to Tameet and prepare them for the next photograph.

The proposal on the stone pier

I positioned Tameet and Mahneet in the place we had selected in advance. Their placement in relation to the sea and the rising sun was already set, with the water, coastline and white houses behind them.

After my signal, Tameet turned towards Mahneet, got down on one knee and opened the ring box. I photographed the entire sequence from his first movement: the moment Mahneet understood what was happening, her reaction, the question and the first seconds after her answer.

Tameet gave Mahneet time to look at the ring before carefully placing it on her finger. The resulting series includes every part of the moment: her surprise, smile, their conversation and their first embrace.

Walking beneath Les Voltes

Our next stop was Les Voltes, the white arches beside Port Bo. The covered passage opens directly towards the sea, allowing photographs to be taken through the openings and along the full length of the arcade.

We created several portraits beside the openings, walking photographs beneath the arches and wider compositions using the repeating columns. We then continued through the nearby waterfront streets and finished this part of the session beside the white houses and flowering bougainvillea.

How we planned the photoshoot

Tameet contacted me in advance and shared his idea for the proposal. We discussed the experience he wanted to create, and I took care of organizing the photoshoot, choosing the time and planning the route.

We used the photoshoot as a natural reason for the trip

Mahneet knew about their Costa Brava photoshoot, so the early start, carefully chosen outfits and the presence of a photographer all made sense. Tameet and I discussed every detail of the proposal privately.

This format allowed me to guide the couple freely, choose the right positions and gradually lead them towards the proposal location.

I selected and confirmed the proposal spot in advance

When choosing the location, I considered the direction of the sun, the view across the cove, my distance from the couple and the angles needed to photograph Mahneet’s reaction. I then sent Tameet photographs of the spot and explained exactly where the proposal would happen.

The route began at the viewpoint and gradually led towards the stone pier. Arriving at the proposal location felt like a natural continuation of the photoshoot.

I suggested starting at 7 a.m.

The early start gave us an open background, calm water and the light of the rising sun. Timing is especially important in Calella de Palafrugell because the beaches, piers and Port Bo arches become much busier later in the morning.

I arrived early to inspect the selected spot, assess the wind and make sure we could follow the main plan.

We agreed on a simple scenario and signal

Before the photoshoot, I explained how Tameet should turn towards Mahneet, when to get down on one knee and how much time to leave between each action.

I positioned the couple in relation to the sea and the sun. Once the composition was ready, I gave Tameet our agreed signal. He knew that this was the moment to begin.

I kept the ring with me during the first part of the photoshoot. Shortly before the proposal, I took several individual portraits of Mahneet and discreetly passed the box to Tameet. This kept the ring box from showing through his pocket in the earlier photographs.

We prepared a backup location

Conditions on the coast can change quickly. People may arrive on the pier, the wind can become stronger or boats may occupy part of the selected area. I therefore chose an additional proposal spot close to our main location.

If the original place is occupied, I assess the situation and adjust the route naturally. We can continue to the backup location or take a few additional photographs nearby while waiting for the main spot to become available. For the couple, this simply feels like another part of the photoshoot while I continue managing the timing and surroundings.

We chose the outfits and shoes in advance

Before the session, Tameet sent me their outfit options. Mahneet’s white dress and Tameet’s sand-colored suit worked beautifully with the stone, water and pale façades of Calella de Palafrugell.

We also considered their footwear because the route included a stone pier, the beach and a walk through the surrounding streets.

I planned the route after the proposal

After Mahneet’s answer, I continued guiding them along the prepared route. We moved from the pier to Port Bo beach, the fishing boats, Les Voltes and the neighboring streets.

They had time to take in the moment, admire the ring and continue their morning as a newly engaged couple. The photographs preserve the full progression of the experience: the beginning of the walk, the anticipation, the proposal and the engagement session afterward.

The story continued in Pals and Begur

After finishing the morning session in Calella de Palafrugell, we travelled to Pals and continued the photoshoot among its medieval streets and stone arches. Later, we headed to Begur, where Tameet and Mahneet changed into their second look. I will share the complete story from Pals and Begur in the next blog post.