(And the Story of How I Accidentally Photographed My Own Engagement)
Fun fact about me: I accidentally photographed my own engagement.
At the time, I had absolutely no idea it was about to happen! Truly - I know people say this, and YES of course I thought Brody would propose one day. But, there was not a single part of me that thought it would happen on this trip (I saw he still had money in his account put aside because I ended up loving a ring that was cheaper than what he was saving for, but I thought that meant he hadn't bought a ring at all LOL).
We were travelling through Croatia, exploring the island of Hvar. The light was unreal — that soft golden kind photographers dream about. So naturally, I grabbed my camera.
When the light is that good, you take photos. It’s basically muscle memory at this point.
At the time my husband and I were actually travel content creators, so photographing our trips was just part of what we did. Golden sunset somewhere beautiful? That’s content. So, after having an absolute melt down over thinking I looked bad & accidentally ruining the proposal earlier on in the day because I was scared of a butterfly (don't come at me for this), we went up to the Hvar Fortress for a sunset session. I set up my tripod and we started taking photos up on the fortress wall.
Completely convinced I was just photographing a cute travel moment.
Not realising I was actually documenting the moments right before my own engagement. In the photos, you can see me saying "take your hand out of your pocket" and little did I know, a ring box was pulled out.
Looking back now, it feels wild that the photos I took that evening ended up capturing the moments right before one of the biggest milestones of my life.
And honestly? That’s part of why I love photography so much.
Because sometimes the photos you take without thinking end up being the ones that mean the most.
Why Destination Engagement Sessions Feel So Magical
There’s something about travelling together that just brings out the best energy in people. Vacation Sara is the person I want to be all the time!
You’re exploring, getting lost in little streets, finding random cafes, chasing sunsets… everything feels a bit more relaxed and spontaneous. Which is exactly the kind of environment where the best photos happen. Instead of standing still and posing for the camera, couples are moving, laughing, discovering places together. The photos start to feel more like memories than a photoshoot.
Travel Makes Photos Feel More Like Real Life
One of the biggest things I notice when couples are travelling is that they naturally relax. There’s less pressure to perform for the camera. You’re just doing things together — walking along the water, stopping somewhere beautiful, sitting down for a drink, laughing about getting lost. Those little moments are what make photos feel alive. And honestly, those are the photos people end up loving the most.
The Best Engagement Locations Are the Ones That Mean Something
People often think engagement photos have to happen in the most dramatic or famous locations. But the best locations are usually the ones that mean something to you. Maybe it’s:
- the place you got engaged
- a country you travelled to together
- your favourite beach
- a city you fell in love with
For me, that place will always be Croatia. Every time I see those photos I’m instantly back in that moment — golden light, salty air, and the very funny realisation later that I had unknowingly documented the lead-up to my own proposal.
The Photos You Don’t Plan Are Often the Best Ones
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a photographer, it’s this: The moments you don’t plan often end up being the most meaningful. The laughter that happens between photos. The wandering. The quiet moments. Those are the memories that stick. And sometimes — if you’re really lucky — you end up accidentally photographing the beginning of your own love story.
Thinking About a Destination Engagement Session?
Whether it’s exploring somewhere incredible like Croatia, travelling through Europe, or planning something closer to home in Australia, destination engagement sessions are such a beautiful way to capture your story.
The best photos happen when you slow down, explore together, and let the moments unfold naturally.
