Surprise Engagement Drone Video and Photography in Pacific Grove with Tim and Anna and Goose
This surprise engagement drone flight and photo shoot was long in the works. Tim first contacted me a few months ago when we started discussing locations and ideas for how to pull off this surprise! The location Tim chose, I knew very well since I walk the Pacific Grove coast often myself. I knew exactly where the spot was he showed me in just one reference photo! With the location decided, then how to capture the candid engagement moment? Tim ultimately chose for the actual real, candid moment to be recorded with drone video (see the above video). I got there early with my assistant, Felix, and was in position with the drone already in the air so I could capture their walk up and approach to the coastline. Tim told me he stoop down and pick up three shells, and the third would have the ring hidden under it, so that was my signal. Being as discrete as possible I had the drone hovering near the couple, and as I saw him make his move, I slowly brought the drone in closer and closer until you can see in the video Goose started barking at it, but by that time I had already recorded the actual proposal moment!
Favorite Five Photos & Videos of 2025 — from Pacific Grove and far beyond!
2025 was packed with memorable shoots, stunning locations, impactful portraits, and community moments. While every image has a story, these five stand out as my personal favorites — either because of the experience behind the camera, the creative result, or the emotion they captured.
Limited-Time Holiday Couple Portraits in Pacific Grove — Fun, Festive, and Only $75!
It’s the season for something fun, festive, and totally different from your usual holiday photos! For a limited time, I’m offering Holiday Couple Portrait Sessions at my Pacific Grove photography studio — complete with photo-booth–style props and a warm, relaxed atmosphere that makes the experience just as enjoyable as the final images. These sessions are perfect for couples who want something playful and memorable to share on social media or to feature on this year’s holiday card.
Becoming a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Pacific Grove
Since I first started my photography business back in June of 2009, I have always been involved in networking with various business and photography groups. The latest group I have become a member of is the Rotary Club of Pacific Grove. This is something that was not even on my radar just a few months ago, but I met a member at Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce event and he invited me to be a guest at a Rotary Club luncheon. I went and enjoyed it, and then went back again, and I soon found myself looking forward to the bi-weekly luncheons. Before I even became an official member, I was allowed to be a judge in a car show they put on! I am very thankful to have been so warmly welcomed from the start by the PG Rotary Club and look forward to serving the local community through events the club puts on throughout the year.
Sunny Saturday for the 2025 Pacific Grove Butterfly Parade
This annual parade featuring mostly local school kids welcomes the visiting monarch butterflies to Pacific Grove who are on their own annual parade of sorts, or rather migration! The parade closed with some high school classes of 50+ years ago carrying their banners. I wonder if some of those class of 1975 and later people as kids walked in this same parade?
What is was like judging the 2025 Pacific Grove Rotary Concours Auto Rally
This summer I have been an invited guest to the Pacific Grove Rotary Club luncheons. After getting to know what the club is more about, I have decided to join, and even before becoming an official member, the club asked me to be a judge for its annual Pacific Grove Rotary Concours Auto Rally during Monterey Car Week! I am a car enthusiast and know a lot about a lot of cars, but I have never judged a show before. Luckily, there were not that many criteria to judge each car on. Basically there were 17 categories, 13 specific ones, and 4 overall “grand prizes” to consider for each car. Of the 250+ entries, it was on me to judge the even numbered entries, along with one other judge doing evens, and two other judges doing odds, so that each car had two judges assessing it.
Surprise engagement photography at Point Lobos Park in Carmel California
Irving contacted me asking about using Hidden Beach in Point Lobos State Park as the location for a surprise engagement photo shoot. Hidden Beach itself may be hidden, but it’s a very small beach with not really any place for a photographer to hide, but I did my best to keep the element of surprise when Irving arrived with Marissa and the ring came out! After Irving proposed, and Marissa accepted, we did some posed shots using my unique style of off camera lighting. After the beach, we went up on the nearby bluff for a different meadow and ocean background. Thank you Iriving for choosing me as your photographer and congratulations to you and Marissa!
