As a Charleston photographer, I’m lucky to witness love stories unfold in some of the most beautiful places on the East Coast—but Lauryn and Ariana’s proposal under the pier on May 25th, 2025, was truly unforgettable. It was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and despite the bustling beach crowds, we created a peaceful, intimate moment just for them—one filled with laughter, surprise, and so much joy.
Lauryn first reached out to me a few weeks before the big day through my website because she was looking for a Charleston LGBTQ+ photographer. She wanted help planning the perfect Charleston proposal, and together we went over all the little details to make it just right. We debated whether I should pose as a stranger on the beach capturing candids or pretend to be a photographer hired for a “birthday photoshoot” gift for Ariana. Because of the holiday weekend and how busy Folly Beach tends to get, we decided on the latter—and it worked flawlessly. Ariana had no idea what was coming.
I arrived at the beach about 90 minutes early to scout the location, test lighting, and hold the space under the pier for their moment. As a Charleston wedding photographer, I know timing and light make all the difference, and I wanted everything to be perfect. The sky had been threatening rain all day, but just before sunset, the clouds parted, giving us a golden glow—and even the most perfect surprise rainbow—right in time for Lauryn to pop the question.
What made this day even more meaningful was the fact that it was one of the first LGBTQ+ proposals I’ve photographed. It was such a privilege to document the beginning of Lauryn and Ariana’s engagement journey, especially knowing how much love, intention, and anticipation had built up to this moment. Their connection is infectious—one of those big-smile, can't-stop-laughing kinds of love stories that makes you feel lucky to witness it.
During the session, we kept things relaxed and candid, leaning into my documentary-style approach with an editorial touch. We did capture a few posed portraits, but the focus was on emotion, movement, and celebration. I gave them prompts that felt natural—things that allowed them to stay present in the magic of the moment, rather than worrying about "perfect" posing.
When it came time to edit, I kept the tones creamy, soft, and true to color. For more posed editorial portraits, I wanted them to feel crisp and sharp, but when I approached the more candid shots with movement, I went in with just a touch of grain to give it a nostalgic, film-inspired feel. I removed beachgoers from the background to keep the focus solely on Lauryn and Ariana, and made sure the vibrant sky—complete with that surprise rainbow—was preserved exactly as they remembered it.
I’ll never forget this day, and I hope it’s only the beginning. I’d be honored to photograph their wedding someday, and continue telling their story. If you’re planning a Charleston proposal or looking for an LGBTQ+ Charleston wedding or engagement photographer who captures the real, heartfelt moments with care and intention, I’d love to connect.
Planning Your Charleston Proposal?
Whether you’re dreaming of a secret beach engagement or a full-on proposal session with champagne and sunset, I’m here to help you bring it to life. Get in touch to start planning your own unforgettable moment in Charleston by reaching out through the contact form on this website!
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