Family photo session that turned into a surprise Proposal


As I was discussing the details for a family session with Angela, she shared that her son, Sean, had plans to propose to his girlfriend, Hannah, during this session. The proposal was to be a surprise for Hannah, and all the family was in on it. I have to say that everyone was keeping this secret very well, and it felt like an ordinary family session at an extraordinary location.


As we gathered at Donner Lake, the serenity of the surroundings added an enchanting quality to the day. The weather, a comfortable 65 degrees, set the stage for what would become a very special family photo session.

A family of four stands together smiling in front of a scenic Donner lake on a sunny day.
Donner Lake Engagement
Donner Lake Family Photographer
Happy moment on a wooden dock by a mountain lake with someone playfully holding a child upside down in casual wear.
Two children stand together on a wooden dock by a scenic mountain lake on a sunny day.
A couple sits together on a wooden pier overlooking a mountain lake with snow-capped peaks and evergreen forests.

Donner Lake doesn't really have much a coastline, but it does have public docks that are available for anyone. These docks are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and in the summertime, people come as early as 7 am to snatch their spot . Luckily, in mid-November, we had the luxury of choosing from several docks. Our initial plan to meet at dock #2 was foiled as it was already occupied. But then we seamlessly shifted to dock #1, conveniently adjacent to #2, ensuring a perfect backdrop for this proposal. 


Sean, strategic in his planning, had chosen Donner Lake with purpose. Hannah had spent her childhood summers at this very lake, creating cherished memories with her family. Sean's thoughtful choice added a profound layer of sentimentality to the surprise proposal, connecting their past and future. Despite Sean's calm demeanor, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. As the family session continued, the question of "When?" lingered in the background, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and suspense.

A couple in warm sweaters embraces while standing by a scenic Donner Lake lake on a sunny day.
A couple in cozy sweaters smiling together by a scenic mountain lake on a sunny day.
Couple standing on wooden dock wearing cozy fall sweaters by mountain lake on sunny day.
A romantic engagement proposal takes place on a wooden dock overlooking a serene mountain lake on a sunny day.
A marriage proposal scene taking place by a serene Donner lake with pine-covered hills in the background.
A couple stands together laughing by a serene mountain lake on a sunny day.
Two people stand together and point towards a scenic mountain lake on a sunny day.
A romantic couple embraces on a wooden dock overlooking a serene mountain lake on a sunny winter day.
Two people share a joyful moment together overlooking a scenic lake with forested mountains in the background.
A couple stands together smiling by a scenic Donner lake, wearing warm sweaters on a sunny day.
Two people stand on a wooden dock at Donner Lake surrounded by evergreen forest on a sunny day.
Person wearing burgundy sweater shows off engagement ring while smiling outdoors in autumn light.
Two people wearing sweaters share an excited moment by a scenic mountain lake on a sunny day.
Two people sharing a joyful engagement moment while dancing together by a serene mountain lake on a sunny day.
Close up view of a delicate engagement ring with a triangular stone shown on hand wearing brown and burgundy sweaters.
A couple stands together inspecting a newly received engagement ring at Donner lake on a sunny day, wearing cozy sweaters.
Two hands reaching towards each other wearing knitted sweaters against a cloudy blue sky backdrop showing off her engagement ring.
A couple in warm sweaters walking together on a wooden dock by a scenic Donner lake on a sunny day.
Two people sharing an embrace on a wooden dock at Donner Lake with forest backdrop in golden sunlight.
A group of four people sharing a happy moment while standing by a scenic mountain lake on a sunny day.
Two young people laugh together outdoors against a scenic mountain lake background on a sunny day as he proposed on Donner Lake docks.
A couple in warm sweaters embraces while standing by a scenic Donner Lake lake on a sunny day.
A couple in cozy sweaters smiling together by a scenic mountain lake on a sunny day.
Couple standing on wooden dock wearing cozy fall sweaters by mountain lake on sunny day.
A romantic engagement proposal takes place on a wooden dock overlooking a serene mountain lake on a sunny day.
A marriage proposal scene taking place by a serene Donner lake with pine-covered hills in the background.
A couple stands together laughing by a serene mountain lake on a sunny day.
Two people stand together and point towards a scenic mountain lake on a sunny day.
A romantic couple embraces on a wooden dock overlooking a serene mountain lake on a sunny winter day.
Two people share a joyful moment together overlooking a scenic lake with forested mountains in the background.
A couple stands together smiling by a scenic Donner lake, wearing warm sweaters on a sunny day.
Two people stand on a wooden dock at Donner Lake surrounded by evergreen forest on a sunny day.
Person wearing burgundy sweater shows off engagement ring while smiling outdoors in autumn light.
Two people wearing sweaters share an excited moment by a scenic mountain lake on a sunny day.
Two people sharing a joyful engagement moment while dancing together by a serene mountain lake on a sunny day.
Close up view of a delicate engagement ring with a triangular stone shown on hand wearing brown and burgundy sweaters.
A couple stands together inspecting a newly received engagement ring at Donner lake on a sunny day, wearing cozy sweaters.
Two hands reaching towards each other wearing knitted sweaters against a cloudy blue sky backdrop showing off her engagement ring.
A couple in warm sweaters walking together on a wooden dock by a scenic Donner lake on a sunny day.
Two people sharing an embrace on a wooden dock at Donner Lake with forest backdrop in golden sunlight.
A group of four people sharing a happy moment while standing by a scenic mountain lake on a sunny day.
Two young people laugh together outdoors against a scenic mountain lake background on a sunny day as he proposed on Donner Lake docks.

When the moment arrived, Sean dropped to one knee, and the genuine joy, love, and surprise that radiated from the couple were beautifully captured through the lens. Hannah's sixth sense seemed to have been right. As this happened she yelled, "I knew it, I knew it!" Her joy, excitement, and happy tears added an extra layer of emotion to the already magical scene. The family's well-kept secret unfolded, and the collective happiness that followed created a memory that would be cherished by all who witnessed it.


As an observer, my heart swelled with warmth. Angela's kindness and the evident love she held for her family was shining through. I am sure that she is not only a wonderful grandmother but also anticipating her future role as an amazing mother-in-law for Hannah. The genuine support and joy radiating from the family painted a picture of the beautiful journey that lay ahead.

A person wearing a plaid vest and sweater sits on a wooden dock by a scenic mountain lake on a sunny day.
Two people stand on a wooden dock holding hands high while enjoying mountain lake views on a sunny day.
A family sits together on a wooden dock by a serene mountain lake on a sunny day.

The family session seamlessly transitioned into an engagement session, weaving the unfolding love story into the fabric of the day.

A couple walks hand in hand along a rocky Donner lakeshore with mountains and evergreen trees in the background on a sunny day.
Two people hold hands while walking along the shoreline of a mountain lake surrounded by evergreen forests on a sunny day.
A newly engaged woman wearing a burgundy knit sweater and black skirt stands by a misty Donner lake.
Couple in warm sweaters sharing an intimate moment on a rocky beach near misty mountains at sunset.
A couple laughs together while standing on a rocky beach near a serene Donner Lake on a sunny day.
Newly engaged couple sit together on a wooden pier at the Donner Lake overlooking a serene mountain lake at sunset.
Silhouetted couple sharing an intimate moment on wooden dock at Donner Lake overlooking snowy mountains and lake at sunset.
Close up of hands wearing cozy knit sweaters in burgundy and camel colors with a delicate ring displayed during engagement session at Donner
A couple sits together on a wooden dock overlooking a misty mountain lake surrounded by evergreen trees.

Donner Lake, with its stunning vistas, not only provided a breathtaking backdrop for a family photo session but also witnessed the beautiful beginning of Sean and Hannah's journey together. The surprise proposal, set against the backdrop of Hannah's cherished childhood summers, added an extra layer of magic to an already stunning day.

As a photographer and observer, being part of such a special moment is a reminder of the power of love and the beauty that surrounds us. Donner Lake will forever hold a place in the hearts of Sean, Hannah, and their families as an ordinary family session turned into an extraordinary love story.