Engaged! (La Palapa, Puerto Vallarta)

Location: La Palapa Restaruant, Puerto Vallarta Mexico
Couple from: Chicago

Reed was really excited to propose to Rhonda and wanted to find the perfect location. So many options here in Puerto Vallarta. It became a decision between a place up high with a great view looking down on the bay or a romantic spot on the beach.

I feel very lucky that he chose to hire me to photograph the proposal. It would be a bit of a paparazzi shoot because he everything to be a complete surprise. I asked him to send me some photos so I’d know what he and Rhonda look like and we made a plan to meet at La Palapa, one of Puerto Vallarta’s oldest and well-known restaurants.

I arrived a little early and scoped things out and talked with the staff so they knew what was going on. They had prepared a pretty table for two close to the water.

My assistant Jonathan was there to keep a lookout for the couple and act as my model. We saw the couple arrive and I was pretty sure Reed saw me too. He directed Rhonda to take a walk down the beach. It was easy enough to photograph from behind but photographing other angles without being seen was a little tricky. That’s where Jonathan came in, pretending to pose for me which allowed me to pretend to photograph him but really photograph over his shoulder.

This shot in particular amazes me. I think it’s a great shot of Rhonda and it’s so cool that she’s looking straight into the camera but was completely unaware that I was taking her photo.

It was such an emotional experience to be there with them, even if just from a distance. I felt so lucky to be a part of such a special event.