From “Can We Help for Free?” to Fully Booked: The Full-Circle Story of Betting on Ourselves
There’s a certain magic in full-circle moments. Back in April, we were the photographers sliding into inboxes offering to work for free just for a chance to learn. We didn’t have proposal experience, we didn’t know how to style a picnic setup, and we didn’t have the portfolio to prove our vision yet. We simply had grit, hunger, and the humility to start at the bottom. Out of hundreds of messages, only one vendor said yes. And we treated that single yes like our big break. Six months later, we’re fully booked weeks in advance for surprise proposals and proudly launched our own picnic proposal package. This chapter reminds us why you bet on yourself, why you keep showing up when the world says no, and how consistency, late nights, and uncomfortable growth moments compound into something bigger than you imagined. We didn’t get lucky. We got relentless.
From offering free help to becoming fully booked — growth takes belief, community, and people who root for you. If you’re planning a shoot, dreaming about proposals, elopements, or milestones, or simply want to connect and chat creative business — we’d love to hear from you.
📅 Connect or Book With Us
Wild how life loops back, right? One moment you’re sending out what feels like a thousand cold DMs hoping someone out there sees your hustle, and the next… you’re booked weeks out for the very thing you once begged to practice for free.
Back in April, we were hungry. Like, “we-don’t-care-if-we-’re-doing-this-for-free-we-just-need-experience” hungry. We’d never shot a surprise proposal before. We’d never touched a picnic setup. We didn’t have the resume or the fancy portfolio for it yet. But we knew one thing: if we got the chance, we’d deliver. So we messaged hundreds of picnic vendors, wedding vendors, planners… anyone with a foot in the world we wanted to enter. Nine out of ten never replied. The rest politely declined.
One said yes.
Our first surprise proposal and boho picnic collaboration in Southern California. The moment that sparked our journey into offering meaningful surprise proposal and picnic experiences across San Diego, Temecula, and beyond.
One vendor took a chance on us. One opportunity cracked the door open. And that was all we needed.
We showed up like our life depended on it. We held candles against the wind. We fluffed pillows, placed florals, smoothed blankets. We learned angles that would make the moment feel cinematic, not staged. We didn’t get paid with money that day, but we got paid with something bigger: belief, experience, proof.
Fast forward six months…
Booked out weeks in advance for surprise proposals. Launching our own picnic proposal package. Couples trusting us with one of the biggest moments of their life. A calendar full of “She said yes!” smiles. A business that went from “please give us a shot” to “we only take limited bookings.”
People love to talk about luck, but let’s be real. This wasn't luck.
It was grit. It was “we're going to figure this out, even if it means driving two hours for one photo.” It was asking strangers if we could photograph them just to get better. It was late nights editing when our eyes burned. It was showing up to networking events nervous but excited. It was tweaking our website at midnight because better visibility means more opportunity. It was deciding that no one was going to hand us the life we wanted, so we built it anyway.
That first vendor didn’t just give us a chance. They gave us momentum.
Now we’re here. And it feels full circle.
Our first proposal with our own picnic setup. After photographing many proposals since our first collaboration, this moment marks the beginning of our own curated picnic and proposal experience in Southern California.
To anyone grinding quietly, wondering if anyone sees the effort: someone always does. Sometimes it’s the future version of you. The one who’s standing where you once dreamed of being. The one who gets to look back and whisper, “We did it.”
We’re not done. Not even close. But this chapter? This reminder that hard work compounds? We’re hanging onto that.
Hard work pays off. Determination pays off. The “we’re going to make it or die trying” mentality pays off. Take the shot. DM the people. Show up early. Stay late. Be proud of where you are and even hungrier for where you're going.
Because full circle moments don’t just happen.
You earn them. 🥂
Start Your Journey With Us Here
A Sunset Cliffs Surprise Proposal With a Custom Picnic: When a DM Became a Dream Moment
Planning a surprise proposal at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego is already a dream. But when Thomas messaged us asking not only for proposal photography but also a romantic picnic setup, we knew this moment needed extra heart. Even though we were new to luxury picnic design, we committed to delivering an unforgettable experience. We researched permits, sourced décor, and ran multiple test setups until everything felt intentional, elevated, and worthy of the moment. On November 1, under warm golden light, Thomas led Bridget along a trail of flowers to a custom boho picnic overlooking the ocean. He got down on one knee, she said yes, and the cliffs erupted in applause. This story isn’t just about a proposal. It’s about growth, creativity, and saying yes to building beautiful experiences for couples who value intentional, meaningful celebrations. If you're planning a Sunset Cliffs surprise proposal and want stress-free photography with thoughtful styling, you're in the right place.
It started with a DM.
Early October. Instagram. Simple, direct, and absolutely our kind of message:
“Hi, I was interested in a proposal at Sunset Cliffs on Nov 1. Are you available? Also, do you offer decorative services like flowers?”
We’ve shot countless proposals at Sunset Cliffs. It's a place we know like home. But decor? Picnics? Floral setups and candles? That was new territory. We’ve always been a photography-first business, and we only take on new things when we know we can deliver them at a high standard.
Still, more couples were asking. More Pinterest boards were coming our way. We could feel where the market was moving. If we want to grow, evolve, and stay competitive, sometimes you don’t wait until you’re fully “ready.” You start. You figure it out. You give a damn and deliver anyway.
So we got curious and did our homework:
sunset cliffs picnic permits
cost of setups without photography
what other vendors were charging (everything from $400–$800 for setup alone, no photos, no food)
Then we made Thomas an offer that felt aligned and fair:
Book our mid-tier proposal package + one additional hour for setup and breakdown time, and we’d handle the picnic setup for free.
He’d only cover snacks and wine at cost.
Why? Because charging full price for something we were practicing didn’t feel right. This wasn’t about squeezing every dollar. It was about learning, testing, and serving.
When the right moment meets the right plan, magic happens. From securing the perfect oceanfront spot to styling a romantic boho picnic and capturing the surprise — we help bring your vision to life effortlessly. If you're ready to turn a message into a memory, your dream proposal starts here.
✨ Explore Picnic Proposal Package
Planning, Trial Runs, and “More Flowers, Please”
We ordered items.
We staged test setups at a local park.
Shot mock layouts, sent photos to Thomas, waited for feedback.
First trial? “Love it, but can we do more flowers? And candles?”
Fair.
Second trial? Closer, but still not it.
Third trial? Green light.
We layered textures, changed floral colors, created depth, and learned how important focal points and angles are in picnic styling.
Little things we didn’t notice at first suddenly mattered a ton.
This is why real creative growth happens in the doing, not the imagining.
Proposal Day: Nov 1 at Sunset Cliffs
The day arrived faster than expected. We drove down early, aiming for a 3 PM arrival so we could scout, secure a private spot, and set up with intention.
We walked the cliffs, said no to spaces that didn’t feel right, and finally found the one. Private, tucked away, ocean shimmering, enough room for décor without crowding nature. Perfect.
We set up.
People gathered.
Strangers watched, curious and smiling. Honestly? It felt unreal knowing we were setting the stage for someone’s life-changing moment… and doing it in a way we’d never done before.
Thomas arrived, parked, and followed the GPS pin we sent.
I met him at the top and quietly guided him toward the setup, while he followed the trail of flowers we had placed.
He turned the corner.
Steph popped out to begin photos.
The light was warm and golden.
He dropped to one knee.
She said yes.
Cheers. Applause.
Even the sunset seemed to clap for them.
We shot a mini engagement session after, then disappeared so they could enjoy the picnic and the last light of the day together.
It was wholesome. It was new. It was a challenge that turned into a win for everyone.
What We Learned Taking On Our First Picnic Proposal
Preparation beats perfection
Pinterest helps, but real-world trial runs are where skill forms
Couples genuinely value one-stop proposal support
Thoughtful details matter more than over-styling
And yes… candles and flowers go further than you think
This wasn’t just a proposal. It was the moment we said yes to expanding what we do and who we are.
And honestly? We can't wait to do more.
Thinking About Proposing at Sunset Cliffs?
Whether you’re looking for photography only or a curated, thoughtful picnic moment like this one, we’re here to help make it personal, stress-free, and unforgettable.
Tap here to explore our surprise proposal packages.
Or DM us like Thomas did. Sometimes the simplest message starts the best stories.