{"id":18735,"date":"2026-02-02T17:50:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/?p=18735"},"modified":"2026-03-21T18:08:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T18:08:51","slug":"santa-monica-pier-surprise-proposal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/santa-monica-pier-surprise-proposal\/","title":{"rendered":"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset | Romantic LA Engagement Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18735\" class=\"elementor elementor-18735\" wpc-filter-elementor-widget=\"1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-007532f elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"007532f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b097915\" data-id=\"b097915\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-677ce53 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"677ce53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"landkit-elementor-heading__title default elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Table of contents<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-119bb41 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"119bb41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1152\" height=\"1513\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ChannelArt-101425-v1-2.png?fit=1152%2C1513&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"img-fluid attachment-full size-full wp-image-17488\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ChannelArt-101425-v1-2.png?w=1152&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ChannelArt-101425-v1-2.png?resize=228%2C300&amp;ssl=1 228w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ChannelArt-101425-v1-2.png?resize=780%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ChannelArt-101425-v1-2.png?resize=768%2C1009&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b78029 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b78029\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"display-6 fs-lg\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Southern California Proposal &amp; Wedding Photographer<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5fce5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c5fce5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"h5 fw-bold text-uppercase text-black\">We\u2019re Stephanie and Bryan<\/span>\u2014 a husband-and-wife duo who believe that life\u2019s most meaningful moments deserve to be captured and cherished. Stephanie is the creative force behind the lens, and Bryan, a software engineer by day, is her biggest supporter in every endeavor. Together, we bring a dynamic blend of creativity, precision, and teamwork to every session.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e42edcd elementor-align-center elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e42edcd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.button-landkit\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/contact-us\" class=\"elementor-button-link btn btn-primary btn-pill btn-xs lift shadow\" role=\"button\">\n                        <span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n                                    <span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact Us<\/span>\n                    <\/span>\n                    <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-299580f\" data-id=\"299580f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43179ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"43179ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"2\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"landkit-elementor-heading__title default elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal Planned from Japan<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee7ba90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee7ba90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Planning a surprise proposal is emotional enough. Planning one from another country adds an entirely different layer of logistics, trust, and pressure.<\/p><p>When Brandon reached out, he and Moe were living in Japan and preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Los Angeles. They had a narrow travel window, had never been to LA together, and wanted their proposal to feel effortless, natural, and unmistakably iconic \u2014 without elaborate setups or production.<\/p><p>Their vision was simple: A relaxed walk near the ocean, a recognizable backdrop, and the moment captured as it unfolded.<\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 283ad7cd-fc41-4f21-9b48-fc27a281a1c2 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 5c8d8d0b-61c7-4fef-8d60-adb3f4e36fbf --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 09e40dc2-08a6-414b-b814-1efa5e4344d5 --><!-- notionvc: 94c2c8bd-1ff5-469e-9d65-fd357b51368e --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 352d42ea-61f7-480e-b4e0-b1df125b038f --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: a9373979-fb71-4966-9840-0eb10ce66a0a --><!-- notionvc: 889f9829-e732-4987-8158-91ce1c41b157 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: c8cd12ce-5e29-4b7e-8c8d-793080963e33 --><!-- notionvc: 20533097-d649-429e-a4cb-fd4ca857fd0b --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f594bf9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-gallery\" data-id=\"f594bf9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-18735 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"f594bf9\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"A candid surprise proposal photographed at Santa Monica Pier during sunset, capturing the couple moments before the proposal unfolded. Planned from Japan, this session focused on natural movement and real emotion.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg3NDksInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9waG90b2dyYXBoeS5zdGVwaGFuaWVpcC5jb21cL2pvdXJuYWxcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUGllci1TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUHJvcG9zYWwtYy1TdGVwaGFuaWUtSXAtUGhvdG9ncmFwaHkuLUFsbC1SaWdodHMtUmVzZXJ2ZWQuLTUuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiZjU5NGJmOSJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-5.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-5.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Surprise proposal at Santa Monica Pier at sunset, photographed as the couple walks along the beach\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-18749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-5.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-5.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-5.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-18749'>\n\t\t\t\tA quiet moment before the question, with Santa Monica Pier in the background.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"f594bf9\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"A candid surprise proposal photographed at Santa Monica Pier during sunset, capturing the couple moments before the proposal unfolded. Planned from Japan, this session focused on natural movement and real emotion.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg3NTAsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9waG90b2dyYXBoeS5zdGVwaGFuaWVpcC5jb21cL2pvdXJuYWxcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUGllci1TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUHJvcG9zYWwtYy1TdGVwaGFuaWUtSXAtUGhvdG9ncmFwaHkuLUFsbC1SaWdodHMtUmVzZXJ2ZWQuLTcuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiZjU5NGJmOSJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-7.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-7.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Surprise proposal at Santa Monica Pier at sunset, photographed as the couple walks along the beach\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-18750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-7.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-7.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-7.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-18750'>\n\t\t\t\tA quiet moment before the question, with Santa Monica Pier in the background.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"f594bf9\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"A candid surprise proposal photographed at Santa Monica Pier during sunset, capturing the couple moments before the proposal unfolded. Planned from Japan, this session focused on natural movement and real emotion.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg3NTEsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9waG90b2dyYXBoeS5zdGVwaGFuaWVpcC5jb21cL2pvdXJuYWxcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUGllci1TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUHJvcG9zYWwtYy1TdGVwaGFuaWUtSXAtUGhvdG9ncmFwaHkuLUFsbC1SaWdodHMtUmVzZXJ2ZWQuLTguanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiZjU5NGJmOSJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-8.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-8.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Surprise proposal at Santa Monica Pier at sunset, photographed as the couple walks along the beach\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-18751\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-8.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-8.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-8.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-18751'>\n\t\t\t\tA quiet moment before the question, with Santa Monica Pier in the background.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4897355 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4897355\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"landkit-elementor-heading__title default elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Planning an LA Surprise Proposal from Japan<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25624f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"25624f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Planning entirely online meant every decision needed to be intentional from location to timing to how the proposal would stay a genuine surprise.<\/p><p>During our planning call, we focused less on \u201cdoing more\u201d and more on clarity:<\/p><ul><li>Choosing an iconic Los Angeles location that didn\u2019t require permits<\/li><li>Building a plan that accounted for jet lag and travel fatigue<\/li><li>Creating a proposal that felt spontaneous, not staged<\/li><\/ul><p>The goal wasn\u2019t perfection. It was presence.<!-- notionvc: 7b779850-4c8a-4909-ad5c-47de24cb069e --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 503c0b4e-4476-4b75-9b6c-1089fd321a7f --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: a72a9496-f655-4e8f-849b-3629776a9327 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 1830808a-1c56-4b44-94dc-29c806083222 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: ba1551ae-7d55-47af-b859-974dd27e18c4 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 60cc6134-f708-47fb-b436-657686706344 --><!-- notionvc: 5acfcfac-c63c-4c4f-bdf1-1e385dce7315 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 34e1d228-44cc-4bc4-a1cc-5054797dab18 --><!-- notionvc: 20533097-d649-429e-a4cb-fd4ca857fd0b --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9b95e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-gallery\" data-id=\"a9b95e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-18735 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"a9b95e4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"A candid surprise proposal photographed at Santa Monica Pier during sunset, capturing the couple moments before the proposal unfolded. Planned from Japan, this session focused on natural movement and real emotion.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg3NTIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9waG90b2dyYXBoeS5zdGVwaGFuaWVpcC5jb21cL2pvdXJuYWxcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUGllci1TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUHJvcG9zYWwtYy1TdGVwaGFuaWUtSXAtUGhvdG9ncmFwaHkuLUFsbC1SaWdodHMtUmVzZXJ2ZWQuLTkuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiYTliOTVlNCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-9.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-9.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Surprise proposal at Santa Monica Pier at sunset, photographed as the couple walks along the beach\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-18752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-9.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-9.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Proposal-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-9.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-18752'>\n\t\t\t\tA quiet moment before the question, with Santa Monica Pier in the background.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"a9b95e4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"A candid surprise proposal photographed at Santa Monica Pier during sunset, capturing the couple moments before the proposal unfolded. Planned from Japan, this session focused on natural movement and real emotion.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg3NDYsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9waG90b2dyYXBoeS5zdGVwaGFuaWVpcC5jb21cL2pvdXJuYWxcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUGllci1TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtRW5nYWdlbWVudC1jLVN0ZXBoYW5pZS1JcC1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS4tQWxsLVJpZ2h0cy1SZXNlcnZlZC4tMTAuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiYTliOTVlNCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-10.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-10.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Surprise proposal at Santa Monica Pier at sunset, photographed as the couple walks along the beach\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-18746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-10.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-10.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-10.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-18746'>\n\t\t\t\tA quiet moment before the question, with Santa Monica Pier in the background.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"a9b95e4\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"A candid surprise proposal photographed at Santa Monica Pier during sunset, capturing the couple moments before the proposal unfolded. Planned from Japan, this session focused on natural movement and real emotion.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg3NDIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9waG90b2dyYXBoeS5zdGVwaGFuaWVpcC5jb21cL2pvdXJuYWxcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUGllci1TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtRW5nYWdlbWVudC1jLVN0ZXBoYW5pZS1JcC1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS4tQWxsLVJpZ2h0cy1SZXNlcnZlZC4tMi5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJhOWI5NWU0In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-2.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-2.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Surprise proposal at Santa Monica Pier at sunset, photographed as the couple walks along the beach\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-18742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-2.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-2.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-2.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-18742'>\n\t\t\t\tA quiet moment before the question, with Santa Monica Pier in the background.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb021b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fb021b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"3\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"landkit-elementor-heading__title default elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why the Santa Monica Pier Was the Right Iconic Choice<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec40a86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec40a86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For a first trip to Los Angeles together, Santa Monica Pier checked every box.<\/p><p>It\u2019s instantly recognizable, visually dynamic, and offers beach and city energy in one walkable space \u2014 making it ideal for a surprise proposal and relaxed Santa Monica engagement photos afterward.<\/p><p>We also talked through realistic expectations. Santa Monica Pier is never empty \u2014 and that\u2019s part of what gives it life and character.<\/p><p><!-- notionvc: e307f7f7-7f56-4018-a553-7cb3495e1659 -->For Brandon and Moe, the pier itself felt right \u2014 lively, meaningful, and unmistakably <span class=\"notion-enable-hover\" data-token-index=\"1\">\u201cwe\u2019re in LA.\u201d<\/span><!-- notionvc: c87e059c-0eee-4168-b52a-e7c53da38323 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: e29b1e31-6872-4fd8-8292-9c1074a6b076 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 9004fd81-b82a-4004-aa48-34ca8ea9cf47 --><!-- notionvc: 06b10830-e398-4f0a-ae85-82b22730a235 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: e712b427-e1f3-4da2-af96-b79d870bd6f0 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 77bfb5e0-3524-4bb2-8842-56ba5b6d5df8 --><!-- notionvc: 4829ef97-98d8-49a3-8db1-a41c48337f84 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: e1de7aad-6c60-475d-a98d-2519dd931ba7 --><!-- notionvc: 20533097-d649-429e-a4cb-fd4ca857fd0b --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02b7b4a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-gallery\" data-id=\"02b7b4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-18735 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"02b7b4a\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"A candid surprise proposal photographed at Santa Monica Pier during sunset, capturing the couple moments before the proposal unfolded. Planned from Japan, this session focused on natural movement and real emotion.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg3NDEsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9waG90b2dyYXBoeS5zdGVwaGFuaWVpcC5jb21cL2pvdXJuYWxcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUGllci1TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtRW5nYWdlbWVudC1jLVN0ZXBoYW5pZS1JcC1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS4tQWxsLVJpZ2h0cy1SZXNlcnZlZC4tMS5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIwMmI3YjRhIn0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-1.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-1.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Surprise proposal at Santa Monica Pier at sunset, photographed as the couple walks along the beach\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-18741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-1.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-1.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-1.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-18741'>\n\t\t\t\tA quiet moment before the question, with Santa Monica Pier in the background.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"02b7b4a\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"A candid surprise proposal photographed at Santa Monica Pier during sunset, capturing the couple moments before the proposal unfolded. Planned from Japan, this session focused on natural movement and real emotion.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg3NDQsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9waG90b2dyYXBoeS5zdGVwaGFuaWVpcC5jb21cL2pvdXJuYWxcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUGllci1TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtRW5nYWdlbWVudC1jLVN0ZXBoYW5pZS1JcC1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS4tQWxsLVJpZ2h0cy1SZXNlcnZlZC4tNC5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIwMmI3YjRhIn0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-4.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-4.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Surprise proposal at Santa Monica Pier at sunset, photographed as the couple walks along the beach\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-18744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-4.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-4.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-4.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-18744'>\n\t\t\t\tA quiet moment before the question, with Santa Monica Pier in the background.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"02b7b4a\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"A candid surprise proposal photographed at Santa Monica Pier during sunset, capturing the couple moments before the proposal unfolded. Planned from Japan, this session focused on natural movement and real emotion.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg3NDMsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9waG90b2dyYXBoeS5zdGVwaGFuaWVpcC5jb21cL2pvdXJuYWxcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUGllci1TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtRW5nYWdlbWVudC1jLVN0ZXBoYW5pZS1JcC1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS4tQWxsLVJpZ2h0cy1SZXNlcnZlZC4tMy5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIwMmI3YjRhIn0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-3.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-3.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Surprise proposal at Santa Monica Pier at sunset, photographed as the couple walks along the beach\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-18743\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-3.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-3.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-3.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-18743'>\n\t\t\t\tA quiet moment before the question, with Santa Monica Pier in the background.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"02b7b4a\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Santa Monica Pier Surprise Proposal at Sunset\" data-elementor-lightbox-description=\"A candid surprise proposal photographed at Santa Monica Pier during sunset, capturing the couple moments before the proposal unfolded. Planned from Japan, this session focused on natural movement and real emotion.\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg3NDUsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9waG90b2dyYXBoeS5zdGVwaGFuaWVpcC5jb21cL2pvdXJuYWxcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAyXC9TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtUGllci1TYW50YS1Nb25pY2EtRW5nYWdlbWVudC1jLVN0ZXBoYW5pZS1JcC1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS4tQWxsLVJpZ2h0cy1SZXNlcnZlZC4tNi5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIwMmI3YjRhIn0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-6.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-6.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Surprise proposal at Santa Monica Pier at sunset, photographed as the couple walks along the beach\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-18745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-6.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-6.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Santa-Monica-Pier-Santa-Monica-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-6.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-18745'>\n\t\t\t\tA quiet moment before the question, with Santa Monica Pier in the background.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-329e344 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"329e344\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"4\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"landkit-elementor-heading__title default elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Game Plan: Weekday Timing, Sunset Light, and a Clear Meeting Pin<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59d4f90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"59d4f90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A successful surprise proposal often depends less on the question itself and more on everything surrounding it.<\/p><p>To reduce stress and crowd pressure, we intentionally chose:<\/p><ul><li>A weekday to keep foot traffic manageable<\/li><li>A reasonable start time to align with sunset light<\/li><li>A clear meeting pin so there was no wandering or uncertainty<\/li><\/ul><p>Because sunset doesn\u2019t wait, we also talked through parking buffers and arrival timing in advance. Setting expectations early meant Brandon could stay present instead of watching the clock.<\/p><p>Once he knew exactly where to go and when to arrive, everything else could unfold naturally.<!-- notionvc: 7a9a36d7-bc34-4794-a2f0-4888be3cb978 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 2e89ef88-9b9b-4134-a346-2272e577bea9 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 2d2d7c84-211e-4723-af62-5bee1fb27165 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 4df3dcbb-e4cf-41c1-b5d6-bde1f6ec67a9 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 9f122608-cef0-4a6f-9cd6-1239b6e1e4aa --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: e22e3986-5ca1-4350-8b49-d17e20ffbacc --><!-- notionvc: fbe7f4da-0182-42ff-a1cb-9514297eabe0 --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d9ebd6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"1d9ebd6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtube.com\\\/shorts\\\/yDa_hJg0Pp8&quot;,&quot;lazy_load&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32c45cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"32c45cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"5\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"landkit-elementor-heading__title default elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Proposal Moment \u2014 and What We Photographed After<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81163bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"81163bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The proposal itself unfolded just as Brandon envisioned. A quiet walk along the beach. A pause. The question.<\/p><p>With no audio or visual cues, I stayed positioned and watched closely for that subtle shift in body language that happens right before someone goes down on one knee. That first reaction can\u2019t be recreated, and capturing it is always the priority.<\/p><p>After the \u201cyes,\u201d we let the moment breathe.<\/p><p>From there, the session flowed naturally into relaxed Santa Monica Pier photoshoot moments:<\/p><ul><li>Genuine reactions and ring close-ups<\/li><li>Walking portraits along the shoreline<\/li><li>Playful movement around the pier<\/li><li>Colorful, energetic shots near the Ferris wheel as the lights came on<\/li><\/ul><p>The proposal may last seconds, but the story continues long after.<!-- notionvc: 6378050a-f541-4a3b-a8c0-34521715fad2 --><!-- notionvc: 7f21d7bc-4ea4-4c03-b72a-964def3f0175 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 43e16d39-3951-469f-8264-dda35feb05a9 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 2d2d7c84-211e-4723-af62-5bee1fb27165 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 4df3dcbb-e4cf-41c1-b5d6-bde1f6ec67a9 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 9f122608-cef0-4a6f-9cd6-1239b6e1e4aa --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: e22e3986-5ca1-4350-8b49-d17e20ffbacc --><!-- notionvc: fbe7f4da-0182-42ff-a1cb-9514297eabe0 --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cb028f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7cb028f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"8\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"landkit-elementor-heading__title default elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Helpful Tips<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1802a12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1802a12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<hr \/><p>\ud83d\udccd Santa Monica, California<br \/>\ud83d\udcc6 November 2nd 2025 \u2600\ufe0f Sunset at 6:01pm<br \/>\ud83c\udf21\ufe0f Clear sky weather<br \/>\ud83c\udfac Start time at 4:45pm<\/p><p><!-- notionvc: 90278fc1-e3d5-4b1e-b374-04f0403825d7 --><\/p><p><!-- notionvc: c98ed761-f8ef-43d2-abec-48e6285087e6 --><\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><!-- notionvc: 59c5f06e-c1c6-497b-ad30-9e9497290043 --><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><!-- notionvc: 156994c4-7aa2-4b2e-ad04-37044e4e9434 --><!-- notionvc: 6363e126-db4a-4e56-9653-e52f632d9da9 --><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><!-- notionvc: de8182c6-c969-4ca0-964c-a0832703fada --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-65df856 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"65df856\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ecedc80 col-12 col-md-6 \" data-id=\"ecedc80\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;_aos_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-up&quot;,&quot;_aos_animation_delay&quot;:300}\" data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-delay=\"300\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87e05c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"87e05c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"letschat\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"landkit-elementor-heading__title display-4 default elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Planning a Proposal from Out of Town?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95e0ae7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"95e0ae7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">If you\u2019re planning a proposal while traveling, especially from outside California, <br \/>clarity and guidance make all the difference. <br \/>Reach out directly for personalized guidance based on your trip and priorities<!-- notionvc: 867e060c-74e9-4521-a87b-d1fedbacadc8 --><!-- notionvc: d7716959-497c-468e-91f6-8c9092e1c9b2 --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6db145 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"d6db145\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.button-landkit\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/surprise-proposal\/index.html?utm_medium=social&#038;utm_source=blog\" class=\"elementor-button-link btn btn-primary btn-pill btn-sm lift shadow\" role=\"button\">\n                        <span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n                                    <span class=\"elementor-button-text\">See Offerings<\/span>\n                    <\/span>\n                    <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-da075fe elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"da075fe\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_aos_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-up&quot;,&quot;_aos_animation_delay&quot;:300,&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\" data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-delay=\"300\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2e17def\" data-id=\"2e17def\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba2cf15 e-transform elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ba2cf15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:-4,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;deg&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;deg&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"landkit-elementor-heading__title display-4 default elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">More from the Journal<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ddfbb4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-lk-posts\" data-id=\"1ddfbb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"lk-posts.landkit-card\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">            <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4 d-flex has-post-thumbnail\">\n            <div class=\"card shadow-light-lg lift lift-lg mb-6\">\n\n            \n            <!-- Image -->\n        <a class=\"card-img-top\" href=\"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/10-best-proposal-spots-in-southern-california\/\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1667\" height=\"2500\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Engagement-1084-101725-StephanieIpPhotography.jpg?fit=1667%2C2500&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"card-img-top wp-post-image\" alt=\"Surprise proposal on the Malibu coast with ocean cliffs and sunset light \u2013 Southern California 2026\" \/>        <\/a>\n\n                    <!-- Shape -->\n            <div class=\"position-relative\">\n                <div class=\"shape shape-bottom shape-fluid-x svg-shim text-white\">\n                    <svg viewBox=\"0 0 2880 48\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M0 48h2880V0h-720C1442.5 52 720 0 720 0H0v48z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <!-- Body -->\n        <a class=\"card-body\" href=\"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/10-best-proposal-spots-in-southern-california\/\">\n\n            \n                        <!-- Heading -->\n            <h3 class=\"card-body__heading d-box box-orient-vertical post__title overflow-hidden\">\n                10 Best Proposal Spots in Southern California | Updated 2026            <\/h3>\n                        \n                        <!-- Text -->\n            <p class=\"card-body__excerpt post__excerpt overflow-hidden mb-0 text-muted\">\n                Southern California            <\/p>\n            \n        <\/a>\n            <!-- Meta -->\n        <a class=\"card-meta\" href=\"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/10-best-proposal-spots-in-southern-california\/\">\n\n            <!-- Divider -->\n        <hr class=\"card-meta-divider \">\n            <!-- Avatar -->\n        <div class=\"avatar avatar-sm mr-2\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" data-del=\"avatar\" src='https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/011721-StephanieHeadshots-3.jpg?fit=256%2C256&ssl=1' class='avatar pp-user-avatar avatar-256 photo avatar-img rounded-circle' height='256' width='256'\/>        <\/div>\n            <!-- Author -->\n        <h6 class=\"text-uppercase mr-2 mb-0 text-muted\">\n            Stephanie Ip Photography        <\/h6>\n            <!-- Date -->\n        <p class=\"h6 text-uppercase mb-0 ml-auto text-muted\">\n            <time datetime=\"2026-04-01T06:17:00+00:00\">Apr 1<\/time>\n        <\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <\/div>            <\/div>            <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4 d-flex has-post-thumbnail\">\n            <div class=\"card shadow-light-lg lift lift-lg mb-6\">\n\n            \n            <!-- Image -->\n        <a class=\"card-img-top\" href=\"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/3-proposal-styles-that-match-different-personalities-how-to-choose-the-right-proposal\/\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Proposal-62-121325-StephanieIpPhotography-scaled.jpg?fit=1707%2C2560&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"card-img-top wp-post-image\" alt=\"romantic cliffside surprise proposal in Palos Verdes at sunset\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Proposal-62-121325-StephanieIpPhotography-scaled.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Proposal-62-121325-StephanieIpPhotography-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Proposal-62-121325-StephanieIpPhotography-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Proposal-62-121325-StephanieIpPhotography-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Proposal-62-121325-StephanieIpPhotography-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Proposal-62-121325-StephanieIpPhotography-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Proposal-62-121325-StephanieIpPhotography-scaled.jpg?w=1306&amp;ssl=1 1306w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/>        <\/a>\n\n                    <!-- Shape -->\n            <div class=\"position-relative\">\n                <div class=\"shape shape-bottom shape-fluid-x svg-shim text-white\">\n                    <svg viewBox=\"0 0 2880 48\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M0 48h2880V0h-720C1442.5 52 720 0 720 0H0v48z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <!-- Body -->\n        <a class=\"card-body\" href=\"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/3-proposal-styles-that-match-different-personalities-how-to-choose-the-right-proposal\/\">\n\n            \n                        <!-- Heading -->\n            <h3 class=\"card-body__heading d-box box-orient-vertical post__title overflow-hidden\">\n                3 Proposal Styles That Match Different Personalities | How to Choose the Right Proposal            <\/h3>\n                        \n                        <!-- Text -->\n            <p class=\"card-body__excerpt post__excerpt overflow-hidden mb-0 text-muted\">\n                Unbounded by geographic locations            <\/p>\n            \n        <\/a>\n            <!-- Meta -->\n        <a class=\"card-meta\" href=\"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/3-proposal-styles-that-match-different-personalities-how-to-choose-the-right-proposal\/\">\n\n            <!-- Divider -->\n        <hr class=\"card-meta-divider \">\n            <!-- Avatar -->\n        <div class=\"avatar avatar-sm mr-2\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" data-del=\"avatar\" src='https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/011721-StephanieHeadshots-3.jpg?fit=256%2C256&ssl=1' class='avatar pp-user-avatar avatar-256 photo avatar-img rounded-circle' height='256' width='256'\/>        <\/div>\n            <!-- Author -->\n        <h6 class=\"text-uppercase mr-2 mb-0 text-muted\">\n            Stephanie Ip Photography        <\/h6>\n            <!-- Date -->\n        <p class=\"h6 text-uppercase mb-0 ml-auto text-muted\">\n            <time datetime=\"2026-03-21T19:18:58+00:00\">Mar 21<\/time>\n        <\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <\/div>            <\/div>            <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4 d-flex has-post-thumbnail\">\n            <div class=\"card shadow-light-lg lift lift-lg mb-6\">\n\n            \n            <!-- Image -->\n        <a class=\"card-img-top\" href=\"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/why-location-scouting-can-make-or-break-your-proposal-photos\/\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Redondo-Beach-Pier-Redondo-Beach-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-11-scaled.jpg?fit=1707%2C2560&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"card-img-top wp-post-image\" alt=\"surprise proposal blindfold reveal with family member and dog at Redondo Beach\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Redondo-Beach-Pier-Redondo-Beach-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-11-scaled.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Redondo-Beach-Pier-Redondo-Beach-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-11-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Redondo-Beach-Pier-Redondo-Beach-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-11-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Redondo-Beach-Pier-Redondo-Beach-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-11-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Redondo-Beach-Pier-Redondo-Beach-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-11-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Redondo-Beach-Pier-Redondo-Beach-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-11-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Redondo-Beach-Pier-Redondo-Beach-Engagement-c-Stephanie-Ip-Photography.-All-Rights-Reserved.-11-scaled.jpg?w=1306&amp;ssl=1 1306w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/>        <\/a>\n\n                    <!-- Shape -->\n            <div class=\"position-relative\">\n                <div class=\"shape shape-bottom shape-fluid-x svg-shim text-white\">\n                    <svg viewBox=\"0 0 2880 48\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M0 48h2880V0h-720C1442.5 52 720 0 720 0H0v48z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <!-- Body -->\n        <a class=\"card-body\" href=\"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/why-location-scouting-can-make-or-break-your-proposal-photos\/\">\n\n            \n                        <!-- Heading -->\n            <h3 class=\"card-body__heading d-box box-orient-vertical post__title overflow-hidden\">\n                Why Location Scouting Can Make or Break Your Proposal Photos            <\/h3>\n                        \n                        <!-- Text -->\n            <p class=\"card-body__excerpt post__excerpt overflow-hidden mb-0 text-muted\">\n                Redondo Beach \u2022 California            <\/p>\n            \n        <\/a>\n            <!-- Meta -->\n        <a class=\"card-meta\" href=\"https:\/\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/why-location-scouting-can-make-or-break-your-proposal-photos\/\">\n\n            <!-- Divider -->\n        <hr class=\"card-meta-divider \">\n            <!-- Avatar -->\n        <div class=\"avatar avatar-sm mr-2\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" data-del=\"avatar\" src='https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/photography.stephanieip.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/011721-StephanieHeadshots-3.jpg?fit=256%2C256&ssl=1' class='avatar pp-user-avatar avatar-256 photo avatar-img rounded-circle' height='256' width='256'\/>        <\/div>\n            <!-- Author -->\n        <h6 class=\"text-uppercase mr-2 mb-0 text-muted\">\n            Stephanie Ip Photography        <\/h6>\n            <!-- Date -->\n        <p class=\"h6 text-uppercase mb-0 ml-auto text-muted\">\n            <time datetime=\"2026-03-20T23:34:13+00:00\">Mar 20<\/time>\n        <\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <\/div>            <\/div><\/div> <!-- \/ .row -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Santa Monica \u2022 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