Meet Me in Montauk

I was incredibly honored when Pete reached out to me about his plan to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Abby. He was so filled with genuine excitement and joy that I could hear it in his voice and in his plans for the proposal. My fiancé overheard one of our phone calls and said "that boy is IN LOVE."


The plan was Montauk. Maybe in the spring, maybe in the winter, but definitely sometime around their 5th anniversary. He wanted it to happen on the beach, by the Montauk Point lighthouse. He wanted perfect weather and for his plan to play out exactly how he imagined it.


I'd never been to Montauk and never really beyond Nassau County, Long Island, but it was always at the top of my NY bucket list. (I blame Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.) Although it was almost a 4-hour drive from NJ, I was totally up for the adventure.


The day comes, and the weather is perfect. 50 degrees AND sun, in mid-January?! Unheard of, but it felt like a sign. I went out to the beach early to make sure I was in position. I checked out the bluffs, pocketed some rocks and sea glass, and kept alert for Pete and Abby's arrival. Soon enough, not long after all the other beachgoers left, they showed up hand in hand. I tried not to be too obvious with my camera and long lens, taking photos of the lighthouse and other random things on the beach. Next thing I know, Pete is down on one knee and Abby has her hands clasped to her mouth with excitement.


She said "Y-E-S"!


We walked along the beach for a while snapping photos of the two of them with their just-got-engaged glow. Realizing they now get to call each other "fiancé," we put the ring (THE RIIIIINGGGGG) in all its glory in its own spotlight for a few photos. And once we strolled the beach at sunset for long enough, we parted ways so they could enjoy their celebratory dinner.


It was such a wonderful day and a wonderful proposal to be a part of. Congratulations, Pete and Abby!

A surprise proposal moment captured on a beach with crashing waves in the background in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
A black and white portrait of a couple sharing an intimate moment on a beach in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
A couple walks along a beach path with a majestic lighthouse towering behind them in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
A tender moment between a couple with a lighthouse visible in the background in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
Close-up of an engagement ring on a hand resting against a brown jacket in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
A couple laughs together while sitting on rocky coastal terrain wearing casual fall clothing in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
A romantic kiss shared between a couple on a rocky beach in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
A romantic embrace on a rocky beach with sunset lighting in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
A couple shares an intimate moment near a lighthouse on a rocky shore in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
A joyful embrace on a beach with ocean waves in the background in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
A black and white portrait of a couple embracing on a beach in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
Taking photos of a lighthouse from rocky shoreline on a cloudy day in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
Close-up shot of an engagement ring with cream sweater and olive jacket details in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
Dancing together on a rocky beach in casual winter attire in Montauk, Long Island, New York.
Close-up of hands holding with engagement ring and bracelet visible in Montauk, Long Island, New York.