Montauk Beach Proposal at Gurney’s

Gurney's Wedding Proposal Album. Shot on location in Montauk, NY with analog and DSLR.

The edge of the Atlantic ocean seen with real film.

The edge of the film frame meets the edge of the ocean.

Dear Readers,

I have a romantic tale to share. I’m not a highly sentimental fool for things, but I am for people and their stories. This is one I’ll keep close to my heart for a long time. Allow me to explain.

Toes in the sand.

I got the call in January. He was looking for a singular thing, documentary-style photography of his proposal with film. He was proposing to his college sweetheart after ten years together in the place where they had their first getaway together.

The ocean shot on film takes on a cinematic quality.

The Dolce and Gabbana deck at Gurney’s

When a pro dancer dancer jumps for joy she jumps for joy.

Montauk. The very edge of our continent. Powerful, intense and wrapped in honey-colored cerulean that the beach only knows in July. As the water jumped and wrapped itself around the surfers I thought, “This is perfect for marrying a dancer.” You see, dance is her profession.

How did he find me? Well, funnily enough, a Redditor sent him a list of photographers who do exactly the kind of storytelling I do. Hand to God, a Redditor. He took it from there.

After a Jitney ride that made me question all of my life choices, I checked into my very expensive hotel room. I won’t go into details, but it was such a dump I had to flush the toilet with a bucket. All of this and more can be yours for nearly a thousand dollars a night. I’ll put it all in my Google review of the place. But more on that later.

The beach seen in analog film takes on a cinematic quality.

Popping corks.

Holding hands shot with film and a Leica.

They both got engaged - with a ring and a symbolic Rolex.

FaceTiming fam.

Sparkle in the morning sun.

A stunning custom design.

He had her favorite snack standing by. Cheez Its were waiting for her on the deck.

When a pro dancer dancer jumps for joy she jumps high for joy.

Her tattoo says it all. “Amor y besos.”

I grabbed a lobster roll at a beach shack, charged all my gear, then went to bed. I suited up in the morning - the sweet event planner picked me up and I headed out to my location. After six months of organizing with the resort, it was showtime. As they walked, their feet caressed the shore line. I held back ready to leap into action, hidden in plain sight. He held her hand and dropped to his knees. With the pounding blue ocean behind them, it made this sweet, quiet moment utterly resplendent. Tears, ring, embraces.

We took to the deck after. Recently renovated by Dolce and Gabbana, it was a gorgeous profusion of whites and blues. He had it tricked out full of her favorite snack, Cheez-its. The red and orange bags popped with color against the fresh blue.

They popped a cork and enjoyed each other in the afterglow of their proposal. It seemed normal for these two - how their relationship had flowed, bringing them to this point. It reminded me of my own proposal, just feeling like it’s the two of you and no one else. The making of a forever homie.It is through storytelling that I approach these commissions. I bring my experience and strengths to any challenging shoot. A beach may look easy, but you’re fighting mother nature and free radicals the entire time. She only gives you so much before she gets fed up and sends you on your way. I do as much work as possible in this time frame. I shoot a lot. My hit rate is high, which makes it fun to edit.

These two both wore so much love today. I hope you enjoy their proposal as much as I enjoyed shooting it.