Last-Minute Marine Proposal at La Jolla Gliderport | Ami & Nahomy's Surprise Engagement Story
When Ashley reached out just four days before her son Ami planned to propose, we knew we had to help make it happen. Stationed at Camp Pendleton, Ami was flying his girlfriend Nahomy in from Texas for the weekend and wanted to create a proposal she would never forget. After discussing locations, timelines, and proposal ideas, we landed on one of San Diego's most iconic coastal locations: La Jolla Gliderport. The day before the proposal, we scouted the area and decided to surprise the couple with our Signature Yes setup as a small thank-you to a Marine serving our country. With sweeping ocean views, golden light, and an emotional proposal overlooking the Pacific, this last-minute engagement became one of our favorite La Jolla proposal stories to date.
Some of our favorite proposal stories begin with a simple message.
On the late afternoon of May 19th, we received an inquiry from Ashley. Her son, Ami, a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, had decided he wanted to propose to his girlfriend, Nahomy, during her upcoming visit from Texas. The proposal was only four days away, scheduled for May 23rd in San Diego.
With such a short timeline, there wasn't much room for overthinking.
Stephanie and I immediately jumped on a call with Ashley to start planning.
We shared examples from previous surprise proposals, discussed different lighting options throughout the day, reviewed several proposal locations throughout San Diego, and began building a game plan that would fit Ami and Nahomy's story.
After discussing several possibilities, we all agreed on one location that never disappoints: La Jolla Gliderport.
Perched high above the Pacific Ocean, the Gliderport offers sweeping coastal views, dramatic cliffs, and some of the most beautiful sunsets in Southern California. It felt like the perfect backdrop for a proposal.
For Ashley, planning everything from hundreds of miles away wasn't easy.
She was trusting two photographers she had never met, in a city she wasn't familiar with, to help pull off one of the most important moments in her son's life.
That trust is something we never take lightly.
Whether a proposal is planned a year in advance or only a few days before, every client who reaches out is placing an incredible amount of faith in us, and we feel a responsibility to deliver.
As the planning continued, Stephanie and I wanted to make this proposal even more meaningful.
The day before the proposal, we drove to La Jolla Gliderport to scout the location.
We walked the cliffs, studied the lighting, watched how the crowds moved through the area, and searched for the perfect place to create something special.
That's when we found it.
Tucked along the coastline was an ideal spot for our Signature Yes setup, complete with our arch, florals, candles, and rose petals overlooking the Pacific.
The idea felt right immediately.
As a small gesture of appreciation for the men and women who serve our country, we wanted to gift the setup to Ami and Nahomy.
The Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis — "Always Faithful" — represents loyalty, commitment, and devotion. As we thought about Ami preparing to ask Nahomy to spend the rest of his life with him, the meaning couldn't have felt more fitting.
We shared the idea with Ashley.
She loved it.
The plan was set.
The morning of the proposal, we were already in San Diego photographing another surprise proposal. Once that session wrapped up, we headed straight to La Jolla to secure the location and begin setting up.
As the afternoon turned into evening, the Pacific Ocean glowed beneath the cliffs while we added the final touches to the setup.
Then we saw them.
Ami and Nahomy slowly made their way toward the overlook.
Before a single word was spoken, Nahomy immediately noticed the setup.
The surprise on her face said everything.
As she approached the arch overlooking the ocean, surrounded by flowers, candles, and the sound of waves crashing below, Ami got down on one knee and asked the question he had traveled, planned, and prepared for.
Without hesitation, she said yes.
The moment was emotional, genuine, and exactly what a proposal should be.
After giving them a few moments to soak everything in, we captured the celebration that followed—laughter, happy tears, hugs, and the excitement that comes from starting a new chapter together.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, we finished the evening with a short engagement session around the cliffs of La Jolla Gliderport, making the most of the final golden light before it disappeared behind the Pacific.
Looking back, it's hard to believe this entire proposal came together in only four days.
But sometimes the best stories aren't the ones planned for months.
Sometimes they're built on trust, a little creativity, a lot of teamwork, and people coming together to make something unforgettable happen.
Ashley trusted us.
Ami trusted us.
And we're grateful we were able to play a small role in helping tell their story.
From military deployments and long-distance relationships to cross-country flights and weekend visits, we've helped couples turn limited time together into unforgettable proposal stories. If you're planning a surprise proposal in San Diego, La Jolla, or anywhere along the Southern California coast, we'll help you find the perfect location, create a seamless plan, and capture the moment your next chapter begins.
Choose Your Proposal Experience
Why La Jolla Gliderport Is One of the Best Places to Propose in San Diego
If you're searching for the best proposal locations in San Diego, La Jolla Gliderport consistently ranks near the top of our list.
With panoramic ocean views, colorful sunsets, soaring paragliders, dramatic coastal cliffs, and easy access to nearby beaches and trails, it's one of the most versatile locations for surprise proposals, engagement photos, and couples sessions.
Whether you're planning something simple and intimate or a fully decorated proposal experience with family and friends nearby, the Gliderport offers an unforgettable backdrop for one of life's biggest moments.
More La Jolla Proposal Stories
Thinking about proposing in La Jolla? You're not alone. Between the ocean views, dramatic cliffs, golden sunsets, and endless scenic overlooks, it's one of our favorite places to photograph surprise proposals in Southern California.
Here are a few other La Jolla proposal stories that may help inspire your own:
A Surprise Proposal at La Jolla Gliderport: When Last Minute Becomes Meant to Be
Another proposal that came together on a short timeline, proving that some of the best moments aren't planned months in advance.
A Last-Minute Pivot That Led to a Perfect Yes | Surprise Proposal at the La Jolla Coastal Trail
When plans changed unexpectedly, our clients trusted the process and ended up with one of the most beautiful proposal experiences imaginable overlooking the Pacific.
Surprise Proposal Photographer San Diego | A Bluffside Yes at La Jolla Cove
A stunning proposal overlooking the coastline at one of San Diego's most iconic locations, followed by an unforgettable engagement session along the cliffs.
Each proposal is different, but they all share one thing in common: a moment that changes two lives forever. Whether you're planning months ahead or only have a few days, La Jolla offers some of the most breathtaking proposal locations in California.
Planning a Surprise Proposal in La Jolla or San Diego?
Whether you're planning months ahead or only have a few days to pull everything together, we help couples create and capture unforgettable proposal experiences throughout La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs, Balboa Park, Coronado, Del Mar, and across Southern California.
From location recommendations and timelines to photography, proposal planning, decor setups, and day-of coordination, we're here to help make sure your moment unfolds exactly the way you've imagined.
Because sometimes the best proposals happen at the very last minute.
Ready to start planning? Contact Last Minute Photoshoot and let's create a proposal story you'll never forget.
Last-Minute Malibu Proposal at Busch Trailhead | Ben & Allie's Surprise Engagement Story
Looking for a Malibu proposal photographer who can step in when plans change? This surprise proposal at Busch Trailhead in Malibu is the story of Ben and Allie, a couple whose engagement almost went undocumented after their original photographer became unavailable just days before the proposal. With only three days' notice during Memorial Day weekend, we packed our gear, drove up the California coast after another proposal in San Diego, camped overnight in Malibu, and woke up before sunrise to scout the perfect location. From candid moments along the trail to the unforgettable moment Ben dropped to one knee, this Malibu proposal story highlights why preparation, reliability, and experience matter when planning one of the biggest moments of your life.
A Last-Minute Call We Couldn't Ignore
Three days before he planned to propose, Ben reached out to us with a problem.
His photographer had fallen through at the last minute, and he suddenly found himself searching for someone who could make it to Malibu on Memorial Day weekend to photograph one of the biggest moments of his life.
The proposal was scheduled for Saturday morning at Busch Trailhead in Malibu.
When we read his message, Steph and I looked at each other and immediately said, "We're down."
No hesitation.
When another photographer falls through, we almost feel an obligation to help if we can.
A proposal isn't just another photoshoot.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
It's a story that deserves to be preserved.
And when someone reaches out to us in a pinch, we do everything we can to make it happen—even if it means rearranging our schedule, sacrificing sleep, or making some personal sacrifices along the way.
Ben reached out just days before proposing to Allie after his original photographer fell through. That's exactly why Last Minute Photoshoot exists. We help couples navigate unexpected changes, tight timelines, and last-minute planning challenges without sacrificing the experience. From hidden coastal trails and scenic overlooks to beaches, wineries, and gardens, we'll help you create a proposal that feels effortless—even when the planning window isn't.
Choose Your Proposal Experience
Memorial Day Weekend Logistics
There was just one challenge.
It was Memorial Day weekend.
We were already booked for multiple surprise proposals throughout Southern California.
The night before Ben's proposal, we had a sunset proposal scheduled at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.
After looking at the logistics, we realized driving home after the shoot and then turning around a few hours later to make the drive to Malibu simply wasn't realistic.
So we made a decision.
After finishing our proposal at Sunset Cliffs, we packed up our gear and made the three-hour drive north along the California coast.
Our plan?
Find a safe place to camp out, grab whatever sleep we could, and wake up early enough to scout the proposal location before Ben and Allie arrived.
It wasn't exactly glamorous.
Sleeping in a vehicle isn't easy.
Especially after a long day of shooting.
But when you care about the outcome, you do what needs to be done.
A 5 A.M. Start in Malibu
By 5:00 a.m., we were already awake.
As soon as Starbucks opened, we grabbed coffee and started our day.
With caffeine in hand and very little sleep behind us, we headed toward Busch Trailhead to begin scouting.
One thing we never like doing is showing up blind.
Even when we're tired.
Even when it's last minute.
We want to understand the light, the landscape, the foot traffic, and the story before our clients arrive.
After exploring the trail system and surrounding viewpoints, we identified several ideal proposal locations.
We mapped out a plan, sent photos and recommendations over to Ben, and waited for his approval.
A few minutes later, we got the thumbs up.
Everything was set.
Now all we had to do was wait.
The Moment Everything Changed
When Ben and Allie arrived, we stayed discreet and began capturing candid photographs from a distance.
The two of them walked together along the trail, completely unaware that this ordinary morning was about to become one of the most important days of their lives.
As planned, Ben eventually approached us and asked if we could take a few photos of them together.
Of course, we said yes.
We started with a few casual images to help everyone relax.
Nothing felt rushed.
Nothing felt forced.
Just two people enjoying a beautiful morning in Malibu.
Then came the cue.
We positioned them facing each other.
Holding hands.
Looking into each other's eyes.
And in a matter of seconds, the entire story changed.
Ben dropped down onto one knee.
He asked Allie to marry him.
And she said yes.
The smiles.
The tears.
The shock.
The excitement.
Those are the moments we live for as photographers.
Engagement Photos Throughout Malibu
After the proposal, we spent the next hour exploring the area together and capturing engagement portraits around Busch Trailhead.
One of the things we love most about Malibu proposals is the variety.
You get rolling hills, mountain backdrops, coastal views, open trails, and beautiful natural light all within a relatively small area.
The morning light was soft.
The weather was perfect.
And with the pressure of the proposal behind them, Ben and Allie were able to simply enjoy the moment together.
Those post-proposal photos always feel different.
The energy changes.
The smiles become effortless.
And that's where some of our favorite images are created.
Why Busch Trailhead Is a Great Malibu Proposal Location
For couples searching for a Malibu proposal location, Busch Trailhead is often overlooked compared to the beaches.
But it offers several advantages:
Beautiful mountain and canyon views
More privacy than many Malibu beaches
Great sunrise and morning light
Scenic trails perfect for candid engagement photos
Multiple proposal spots within a short walking distance
For couples who love the outdoors and want something that feels adventurous without requiring a difficult hike, Busch Trailhead is an excellent choice.
Ben's Review
Nothing means more to us than hearing from our couples after the experience.
"Last Minute Photoshoot is great! They shot my proposal and it went so well. They were very kind and diligent the whole way through - they sent an itinerary, had multiple calls with me before the day of the proposal, and showed up to the site of the ask early to scout. If you need any photo services for an engagement, proposal, or any other big event, I would 100% recommend Last Minute Photoshoot!"
— B.C.
More Malibu Proposal Inspiration
This wasn't our first time photographing a surprise proposal in Malibu.
In fact, Malibu continues to be one of our favorite places for engagement and proposal photography because of its combination of ocean views, rolling hills, scenic trails, and dramatic golden-hour light.
If you're researching the best places to propose in Malibu, you may also enjoy reading about another proposal we photographed in the Malibu hills:
A Malibu Hills Surprise Proposal: Capturing Juan & Alanis' Unforgettable Yes
Every proposal is different, but one thing remains the same: thoughtful planning, great communication, and choosing a location that reflects your story can make the experience even more meaningful.
Whether you're envisioning a private trail proposal, an ocean overlook, or a scenic Malibu engagement session afterward, Malibu offers some of the most beautiful proposal locations in Southern California.
Final Thoughts
When people hear the name Last Minute Photoshoot, they often assume it simply means we're available on short notice.
But to us, it means something more.
It means showing up when people need us.
It means finding solutions when plans fall apart.
It means doing everything we can to help preserve moments that can never be recreated.
Ben's proposal is a perfect example.
A photographer fell through.
The timeline was tight.
The holiday weekend made logistics difficult.
And yet, a few days later, Ben was on one knee in Malibu, Allie was saying yes, and a memory that deserved to be documented was captured forever.
Sometimes the best stories aren't the ones that go perfectly according to plan.
They're the ones where people come together and make the impossible happen.
Planning a Malibu Proposal?
If you're planning a surprise proposal in Malibu, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Temecula, or anywhere in Southern California, we'd love to help.
Whether you're planning months in advance or your photographer just canceled three days before the proposal, we'll do everything we can to make it happen.
If you're looking for a photographer who is reliable, communicative, arrives early, helps with timelines, scouting, and execution—and most importantly, won't cancel on one of the biggest days of your life—reach out to us.
We'll walk you through the process, help build a plan, and make sure the moment is captured exactly the way you'll want to remember it years from now.