Ryan and Sydney's Proposal Photography Session July 23, 2025 Oxnard Beach, California

Tom Keene
Jul 27
3 min read

Updated: Aug 8

Engagement and Proposal Photography LAdigitalPhoto - Life Event Photography by Tom Keene ©

Engagement Photography Location - Oxnard Beach, Oxnard, CA

In all my years of capturing couples, I think this is my first to shoot at Oxnard Beach.

A couple embracing, smiling in sunlight. Wind tousles hair, creating a warm, joyful moment. Bright, blurred background enhances mood.

Ryan and I were in contact with each other several times to make sure we were both ready for him to take the knee.

Man kneeling proposes to woman in blue dress on sandy beach with ocean waves in background, creating a romantic, joyful scene. — This is a really wide open beach. It wasn't easy to figure out where to hide to be able to not have Sydney see me.

You want to be close enough to capture this moment but far enough away not to be seen. I had looked at an aerial map of the beach and decided it was best to have my wife Cindy there with me to make it look like we were doing a shoot. Honestly I could have been standing next to them, because once he takes the knee she is not looking anywhere else but at Ryan.

A couple embraces on a sandy beach, with ocean waves in the background under a blue sky. Shoes are left on the sand nearby.

I am guessing she said yes! I was too far away to hear it and the wind made it even harder. Let's go see the ring!

A hand with a diamond ring and pastel nails is shown against a background of sand. The person wears a blue dress, suggesting a beach setting.

Yep, she said yes! What a ring! What a moment for them! Sydney was still a bit shaken by the time I walked up to them. Usually at this time, I have the couple walk a bit to give them a moment to reflect and relax.

Couple walks hand in hand on a sandy beach. Blue sky, gentle waves, woman in light blue dress, man in black shirt. Peaceful, sunny day.

It really was such a beautiful day. Bright sun on the beach but cool enough not to bring them to a sweat. Just perfect. So I made them run a bit and captured this moment.

Couple holds hands, smiling while walking on a sunny beach. Blue sky, waves, and distant mountains create a serene backdrop.

The joy on Sydney's face tells the story. Keep that excitement going you two!

Woman kisses smiling man in front of wooden wall. Soft focus on tall grass in foreground, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere.

It can be hard to just capture a couple at the beach. Often you want to break it up a bit, with a lifeguard station or something. Luckily for us these million dollar homes were just behind us and clearly security is not a concern for them. Their walkway path was protected by a "gate" of plants, so I got them on the property and captured this moment.

A couple embraces and kisses outdoors, her in a blue dress, him in black shirt. Wooden panel background, tall grasses in foreground.

I fully expected a voice to ring out, "hey what are you doing on my property". But no one was home. It was odd because we were in a precarious place and only a wild grass wall to protect them from the public, but it was at this moment when they both finally relaxed and just let the moments happen.

A smiling couple embraces in front of ornate iron gates. The woman wears a light blue dress; the man wears a black shirt. Romantic mood.

It was also time to get Sydney's glasses off! Behind those glass was a shy woman, a Clark Kent really. Once the glasses came off, I got to see who Sydney really was... A confident and radiant smile came screaming out.

Young couple smiling, embracing forehead-to-forehead in sunlight. Wind blows their hair. Background shows blurred buildings and palm trees.

Way more relaxed and letting herself be in the moment, the two of them were really not needing any of my input. I just let them go and it showed.

When it comes to capturing proposal and engagement photography on Oxnard Beach or any other location, it really has little to do with the location and a lot to do with the couple. Sure, some moments might have made the photos look different or I may have composed them differently here and there, but in the end, taking the knee, asking for someone to share your life with and hearing them say yes it what it is all about.

At this point I had over 600 images captured. Right on the dot of the one hour mark. We had plenty and they could not go celebrate alone.

Come see the rest of their engagement photos

Location of shoot: Oxnard Beach

Details of the shoot: Shoot Time - approximately 60 minutes, over 600 images captured, 3 hours of driving, 1.5 hours of editing, one hour to type this blog page... and a lifetime of amazing moments like this to come.

I can't wait to see their wedding day!

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