As a photographer, I'm seeing a trend toward photographing actual moments in people's lives, not just the posed portrait photo shoots and I'm. Loving. It. When Ryan reached out and asked for photos of his proposal to beautiful Alexa, the love of his life, I knew it would be one of my favorite moments of the year.

Ryan devised a pretty solid plan: plan a nice dinner with family (a good reason to be dressed nicely), take Alexa for a short hike beforehand, propose, then celebrate! The location he picked, Charmlee Park, was a little unfamiliar to me, so he walked out there earlier in the day and snapped photos on his phone of every turn, trail sign, and landmark and sent them to me with detailed explanation to make sure I didn't get lost. It was totally necessary because I probably would have gotten lost without that. I got there before Ryan and Alexa, found the location—an incredible rock overlook with 180° ocean views—and scoped out a hiding place to make sure the zoom lens (150-600mm Sigma) would do the trick. All set.

A few minutes later I heard voices and my heart started pounding. Soon Ryan and Alexa came into view, walking up the trail from the meadow. They stood on the outcropping facing the ocean and talked, laughed, kissed, all the things people in love do. Then Ryan read some words (none of which I heard because I was so far away), got down on one knee, and, well... just scroll through the rest of the photos. He nailed it.

After Ryan proposed, I switched lenses and we all walked back together and snapped a few more portrait-style engagement photos. The ring, their faces, all the kisses. It was a perfect mix of real life moments and candid connection.

Ryan and Alexa, I am SO thrilled to have been part of this unforgettable proposal. Your love for one another is genuine and full of joy and I can't wait to document your wedding day in August when you become #rylexa! (That hashtag though.)