Boca Grande Proposal Session | Ari + Kelly

Kelly and her family have been visiting Boca Grande for years and on her vacations Banyan Street became one of her favorite places. So when Ari was planning his proposal, he knew there wasn’t anywhere else he’d rather ask her to marry him.

As a Southwest Florida proposal photographer, this was my first session on Boca Grande. I just adore when couples choose locations that are meaningful to them. Banyan Street is one of the island’s most iconic roads, where enormous banyan trees arch over to create a tunnel of twisting branches. After recent hurricanes, some of the trees had unfortunately died and been removed because of salt damage. I told Ari my concerns with the removals and we talked about whether another location might be a better fit. Ari visited ahead of time to see how the missing trees would affect the location and together we decided it would still be the best spot. Because this was Kelly’s place. And truly, it still turned out amazing! The tree removals didn’t affect it much at all. I’m so happy Ari got to propose in a meaningful location and I’m grateful I got to capture these photos for them.

Kelly kissed him, said yes, and afterward she was literally shaking with excitement. I always like to give couples a few quiet moments together after the proposal before we begin portraits. Those first few minutes are something you’ll never get back, and they deserve to simply soak it all in.

I asked Ari what he and Kelly would be doing on this vacation if he weren’t proposing and he said reading together on the beach. I loved that answer and invited him to bring some books for the photos. Instead of only taking traditional engagement portraits, we spread out a blanket beneath the lighthouse and photographed them doing something they genuinely love together. Those images are some of my favorites from the entire evening because they feel so effortlessly them.

As the sun dropped lower, Boca Grande absolutely showed off. The Gulf turned an incredible shade of bright blue while the sky exploded into bright orange. We wandered through the grassy paths around the Gasparilla Lighthouse, photographed the lighthouse towering above them, and glowing sunset portraits surrounded by tall sea grass. It was the kind of Florida sunset you hope for but can never guarantee. In all directions there was clouds showing off in bright orange or thunderstorms far off in the distance with lightning strikes. You absolutely have to scroll all the way to the end to see the clouds behind the lighthouse!

Looking for a Boca Grande Photographer?

Whether you’re planning a surprise proposal, engagement session, or simply want beautiful photos during your Boca Grande vacation, I’d love to help you create images that feel like you. The best sessions aren’t about checking poses off a list. They’re about choosing meaningful places and creating photographs that remind you exactly how this season of your life felt. If you’re looking for a Boca Grande photographer, you can reach out here.