Sunrise Proposal and Engagement Session on Great Head in Acadia National Park

Is there a better way to start your day than by sitting on the cliffs of Acadia, watching the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and Schoodic Peninsula? There is when you share it with person you want to spend the rest of your life with, and they say “Yes!”

Couple cozies up sitting on the cliffs watching the autumn sunrise over the Atlantic ocean off the Great Head Trail with Great Head in the background

Nick and Maddy met in Colorado a few years ago and spent a lot of time hiking together there. They had always wanted to visit Maine, but hadn’t yet had the chance. They had a trip planned for October, and Nick felt the timing was right.

Glowing red autumn sunrise from Great Head in Acadia National Park

Nick wanted a spot that would offer a great sunrise view, some privacy, and not be a long hike from the car.

Kneeling in front of her, he proposes to his girlfriend at sunrise on the cliffs near Great Head in Acadia National Park

Over a phone call we talked through different locations that would work for his vision, and he settled on Great Head.

A newly engaged woman hugs her fiancee on the cliffs over the Atlantic during sunrise after he proposed in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine.
A couple backlit by the sunrise embraces after an oceanside surprise proposal in Acadia National Park.

Once Nick and Maddy arrived, Brian signaled that he was ready and it was up to Nick to find the right moment. As the sun crested the horizon over the Atlantic, Nick slid the ring out of this pocket and kneeled in front of Maddy.

A golden sunrise reflects off the ocean between a couple holding hands and smiling at one another after a surprise proposal in Acadia near Great Head.

Nick was right - Maddy had no idea what was coming, and she was literally jumping for joy!

A newly engaged couple backlit by a fiery sunrise shares a kiss on the cliffs near Great Head in Acadia National Park.
He wraps his arms around her waist as they smile during an engagement session in Acadia National Park.
A couple shares a laugh and a special moment after a surprise proposal at sunrise on the cliffs near Great Head in Acadia.
The water swirls around the rocks at the base of the cliffs as the couple poses in the glow of the sunrise during their engagement photos in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine.

Thinking of proposing in Bar Harbor or Acadia National Park? Let’s talk! No matter how much (or how little!) planning you’ve done, we’re happy to jump in and make sure your special moment is captured beautifully. We live on the island year round and spend most of our time in the park; one of our favorite things to do is find little hidden corners of beauty.

Craig & Tawnee - Surprise Proposal and Engagement Session in Acadia National Park on the Ocean Path

Boyfriend kneels with an engagement ring in front of his girlfriend during a surprise proposal in Acadia National Park on the Ocean Path with Sand Beach in the background.

We love proposal shoots almost as much as we love early morning shoots on the Ocean Path. Put them together and you have two happy photographers.

Girlfriend delighted by boyfriend's surprise proposal in Acadia National Park on the Ocean Path

Craig reached out to us wanting to surprise his girlfriend with a proposal at the end of their Acadia trip. Luckily, he was up for an Ocean Path morning early enough for beautiful light and empty vistas before the summer crowds arrived. We headed out a few days before the shoot to scout our favorite spots in order to see which would be the best fit for lighting the morning of. Finding a spot with a) beautiful views, b) accessibility (we don’t want our fiance-to-be stumbling over too many rocks to get to the spot…), and c) ample places for us to hide is always a fun challenge we embrace. We found a spot we knew would work, snapped a quick video of how to get there, and passed it along to Craig.

Newly engaged couple smiles during an engagement session after a surprise proposal in Acadia National Park

It worked out perfectly, Tawnee was surprised, and the happy couple officially became engaged :)

Newly engaged couple smiles at each other while posing with their dog during an engagement session after a surprise proposal on the Ocean Path in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine

After giving them a few moments to let it all sink in, we took some engagement photos along the coast (adorable dog included, of course!).

Newly engaged couple poses with their dog on the Ocean Path in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor after a surprise proposal

So excited for this happy couple and so honored they trusted us to capture this moment :)