This Fort Lauderdale beach proposal was adorable!

Dalton + Katie both live in Kansas. They met at a tailgate that Dalton and his roommate hosted for a college football game in 2014. Katie showed up with her friend and Dalton was smitten.

The couple have been together for over 2.5 years, some of which was long-distance as Katie studied abroad for 4 months. Dalton told me he couldn’t put into words how much he missed her every day they were apart. He wanted to give her a lifetime of fun, romantic, unforgettable moments. I knew then that I had to capture their engagement.

So Dalton and I conspired via Facetime and Skype for the weeks leading up to their vacation in sunny Fort Lauderdale. Katie loves the sea and the beach so we decided Fort Lauderdale beach would be perfect. I approached them with some story about me wanting to take pictures of tourists for a random hotel’s website. I set them up in the most favorable position, and Dalton dropped to one knee.

Andrea Harborne Photography: Name 3 things you love about your partner?
Dalton: 1. Katie can make me smile and laugh no one else can 2. She treats my family like they are her family. 3. She supports and loves me unconditionally. I finally get to marry my best friend.

I mean how adorable is this?!

It was important I captured the ‘surprise’ element of the proposal photoshoot. Katie has waited a while for this moment and I wanted to ensure I captured one of the happiest moments of their lives.