Chad and Paola | Florida Beach Proposal

Chad reached out to me through yelp with a very unique idea. He needed someone able to photograph at dusk, as the moon rises from the ocean and he kneels and proposes to his girlfriend, Paola.

The moon was an essential piece to his pitch. Chad and Paola had a long distance relationship before they could move in together in Jacksonville. Back then, when they were missing each other too hard, they used to tell each other to look up at the moon and that way they were connected.

I got immediately intrigued and felt connected with their story, in fact, my grandmother and I used the same metaphor when I moved out of my hometown during my teenage years to persue Architecture major. It seemed to be destiny and I wanted to be there for them and make Chad’s proposal dreams come through!

As Chad and I talked on the phone I noticed how passionate he was and how special Paola was to him. He had big plans for a romantic setup and the perfect night to propose. Soon we found a date where the moon would rise before the sunset and the perfect location was a secluded beach with a long stairway that goes up and down the dunes towards the water.

At that moment Chad had pulled the ring box out his pocket and compared its shine with the moon. From far I heard Paola scream “what’s this” and I should admit I started shaking from head to toe. Not because only because I was 100% stoked but because I couldn’t tell if that was a positive or negative kind of scream. Oh boy. As we descended towards the water the second part of their surprise became visible.

Paola said “I do” and they hugged tight as the sun hid behind the dunes and the moon appear brighter and brighter. Under the triangular arch decorated with her favorite flowers, a romantic picnic set with their favorite snack, chicken wings and wine.