Monterey Proposal at Lovers Point | Matthew & Angela

Some proposals just have that feel-good energy from start to finish — and Matthew and Angela’s was exactly that.

Matthew and Angela are from the SoCal / Los Angeles area, and after 8 years together, Monterey has become a special place for them. It’s something of a tradition — coming up the coast, slowing down, and soaking in the scenery together. While Carmel never quite clicked for them, they completely fell in love with Pacific Grove — and honestly, I get it.

A couple of weeks before the proposal, Matthew reached out and let me know they’d be staying near Lovers Point and that he wanted to propose there. Lovers Point is iconic for a reason, but it can also get very crowded. I suggested a quieter spot just a little way down the trail — still close enough to feel connected to the moment, but far enough to avoid the big crowds. He trusted the idea, and once we locked it in, everything was set.

When the moment came, Angela was completely floored. The look on her face said it all. Matthew dropped to one knee, and right on cue, a runner passing by on the trail shouted, “Whooo! Congrats, bro!” — one of those perfectly unplanned moments that made everyone laugh and made the proposal feel even more real and joyful.

Afterward, we did a relaxed mini session around the area. No pressure, no stiff posing — just the two of them soaking it all in, laughing, and enjoying that just-engaged feeling with the Pacific Grove coastline as the backdrop.

Later that evening, Matthew texted me to say thank you — for helping make the experience smooth, for recommending the location, and for making them feel comfortable in front of the camera. Messages like that never get old.

Matthew and Angela, congratulations again. Thank you for trusting me with such a big moment and for choosing the Monterey Peninsula to start this next chapter together.

Thinking About Proposing in Monterey or Pacific Grove?

If you’re planning a Monterey proposal, Lovers Point proposal, or a Pacific Grove engagement, having someone local can make all the difference — especially when it comes to timing, crowds, and choosing the right spot.

I help with:

• Location recommendations (crowded vs. hidden gems)

• Timing around light and foot traffic

• Staying discreet but ready

• A relaxed mini session after the proposal

If you’re looking for a Monterey proposal photographer, Lovers Point proposal photos, or Pacific Grove engagement photography, I’d love to help make it an experience you’ll never forget.

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Drew Zavala

Monterey Proposal Photographer | Drew Zavala Photo

Asilomar State Beach - Pacific Grove, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Jay + Akshata

In early December, Jay planned meticulously for his marriage proposal to Akshata, and he contacted me to see if I was available to capture the moment for them. I was all for it!

The proposal was going to happen at sunrise on Asilomar Beach. I was looking forward to dreamy sunrise shots, but as the day came closer, a huge storm rolled in. I advised Jay of the rain, and that if his heart was set on those romantic sunrise shots, we might want to reschedule. But he just said, “Let’s do it anyways!”

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting there to be much to work with during the rain, but Jay must have had a gut feeling because man, these photos turned out to be some of the most striking engagement photos of my career! His flexibility on the matter was very admirable. Sure enough, the day came, and there was enough rain that I actually had to cover my camera with a grocery bag to keep it dry.

Jay told Akshata that his boss wanted to see him out there before their day began to show him something. Jay is in tech, so I’m surprised Akshata didn’t suspect anything, but she went along for the ride.

Then Jay popped the question, and Akshata was shocked! With the rain falling around them, it was hard to tell if she was crying or not, but she was so touched and accepted immediately. Congratulations!

The wind was so fierce that I had to be careful which direction I pointed my lens. If it got wet, the images would turn out blurry, and I definitely couldn’t risk that. By positioning the couple strategically, we overcame this obstacle.

When I got home, I was still completely drenched. I’ve never experienced that on a shoot before, and it was definitely a wild ride. Even so, I would 10/10 do it again!

When Jay + Akshata saw their final gallery, they were in love with the photos. I can definitely see why! These two were so passionate and loving.

Thank you so much for choosing me to document this special moment, Jay! It was so much fun planning with you, and I’m so happy that we went through with the session despite the foreseeable challenges. Congratulations, you two!