Today, we have a very special engagement session to share with you all! I also wanted to take this opportunity to talk a bit about how the process works for getting engaged on The Channel Islands and how to incorporate a photography session into your trip out to the islands!
These two cuties were making the mission up from San Diego for a couple nights out backpacking on Santa Cruz Island which is a part of our beautiful chain of islands off our coastline here in Ventura called The Channel Islands. “R” reached out looking for a partner in planning his wonderful surprise out on the islands and I could not be more excited to help bring his vision to fruition! The Channel Islands are a place that I hold near + dear to my heart personally and I LOVED his idea to have his proposal on the islands. Quite honestly, it sounded like something I would personally do myself – ha! I am always up for a fun proposal idea, especially if there is an adventure involved with a hike! Truly, a perfect day in my book. So needless to say, I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to help plan this magical moment for the two of them.
As far as the logistics go for getting out to The Channel Islands and finding each other — it was actually quite smooth! We came up with a really great plan for them to have their moment in an intimate & meaningful way, while still capturing some really dreamy memories to commemorate their time out on the islands together! R & N had their boat + camping permit booked with Island Packers coming out of the Ventura Harbor, which is the best way to get out to the islands! There are also options to depart out of Oxnard Harbor as well if Ventura Island Packers availability is tight. You can also get on their cancellation list, which I’ve personally had good luck with in the past to secure a ticket out to the islands. You can find info for the trip you’re planning on their website at https://islandpackers.com/
I then coordinated with R to get myself a day-pass ticket getting me out to the islands in the late morning and returning later that afternoon. The plan was for the couple to have their own intimate proposal moment on The Channel Islands on one of their hikes the day before and then I would meet up with them to create some fun memories together the next day. This was a wonderful compromise for allowing the two of them to really soak in this moment together, on these dreamy islands, with another surprise in store the next day.. being a fun photography session to commemorate their engagement! R thoughtfully packed one of N’s favorite dresses, secretly tucked away in his pack, along with an outfit for himself which was perfect to have an alternative look to their hiking clothes. How perfect right?! I honestly just wish I brought some champagne for them to celebrate with! Also, I will be adding a hair brush to my kit for the next one 😉
After riding the ferry over to the islands, I saw two glowingly radiant folks waiting on the beach for me there (which R and I had coordinated in the days leading up). We all met up on the docks there, I shared some congratulatory hugs with them, and we headed out on our hike for the day! The energy was so high + so warm and we were so excited to spend a fun day exploring The Channel Islands together!
We started out the session in their hiking outfits to still capture a bit of the adventurous spirit intertwined into their trip to get engaged on The Channel Islands. Then they changed into their cute outfits for the rest of our hike on top of Santa Cruz looking out at the beautiful ocean below. We had such a fun time dancing, frolicking, and traipsing around the islands! I’m sure that you all will enjoy looking back on the dreamy memories we captured throughout the day.
After finishing up our hike at Potato Harbor, we headed back to Scorpion Cove for the ferry ride back to Ventura with our beloved Island Packers cruises. I let the two of them have some space to grab their gear and get ready for the trip back and had myself a lovely moment of gratitude for the day as I watched the subtle waves lap up on the beach there. I would love to plan more adventurous moments such as this one! So please reach out if you are looking for a photographer out on The Channel Islands who’s up for the adventure or if you’re just looking for some insight on how to propose on The Channel Islands! I would love to share any tips that I can offer and set up a perfect session to commemorate your engagement out on the islands. I think there’s even an option to propose out on The Channel Islands and plan a session back on the mainland. Whatever your vision is for your engagement or proposal out on The Channel Islands, please reach out and we would be so thrilled to help plan your perfect moment off our stunning coastline here in Ventura.
