There’s something about Guernsey the day before Pride that feels extra special. The island is buzzing with excitement, and you can feel the energy in the air. On September 6th, right before the Pride celebrations, I had the privilege of photographing Brenna and Millie’s surprise engagement near the iconic Guernsey bathing pools. The day was bright, the sea calm, and with Castle Cornet watching over the scene, it was the perfect backdrop for their unforgettable moment.

Setting the Stage

Brenna first reached out to me months earlier, asking if I’d capture her proposal to Millie. It was clear from her email just how important this moment was going to be—not only was this a huge day for them, but Millie happened to be a fan of my work which is always really sweet to hear. The initial location was Fermain Bay, but after a last-minute change, Brenna chose a spot closer to the bathing pools, with sweeping views of the castle and the sea.

The Proposal: Capturing the Moment

Brenna had chosen the "incognito" approach for the shoot, meaning I’d capture everything discreetly as the moment unfolded naturally. I arrived a bit before 4:30 p.m. and found a spot that allowed me to blend in with the landscape while keeping the proposal area in view. The light was soft, creating a gorgeous glow on the water and casting just the right amount of warmth onto the scene.

Then came the moment. Brenna and Millie arrived, and after a short walk, Brenna led her to the spot she had picked out in advance. Brenna dropped to one knee, and Millie’s reaction was priceless—complete surprise, followed by laughter and happy tears. As they embraced, I was able to capture everything from their first reactions to the intimate moments after Millie said yes. There’s something so real and raw about photographing a proposal—those first few seconds where it feels like the world has stopped, and it’s just the two of them.

Post-Proposal Photos: Love and Laughter

After the proposal, we took a short walk around the area to capture some more intimate portraits of just the two of them. The space around the bathing pools gave us a mix of rocky shorelines and lush greenery, which worked perfectly for the kind of candid, natural shots I love to create. Brenna and Millie’s chemistry was obvious—they were relaxed, laughing together, and full of that post-engagement joy that made the photos practically shoot themselves.

The Family Connection

Once we had a few shots of just the couple, we headed to meet their families at Copenhagen Bar and Grill for some group photos. The walk through Guernsey’s scenic backstreets was perfect for capturing more relaxed moments between Brenna and Millie, as well as a few extra shots of them walking hand in hand. Their families were already celebrating by the time we arrived, and we took some beautiful family portraits with the castle in the background, adding an extra layer of meaning to the photos.

Bonus: Birdwatching and a Little Fun

Brenna had one more request that was a little different—she asked if I could capture a few photos of local birds during the shoot. Her family are avid birdwatchers, and she thought it would be a fun personal touch to the day. While bird photography isn’t exactly my speciality, I managed to snap a couple of shots of Guernsey’s ever-present seagulls loitering around water, which gave the collection a playful, unique twist. It was a small detail, but it added a personal touch that hopefully made the shoot even more meaningful for Brenna.

A huge thank you to the team at Copenhagen Bar and Grill for being such wonderful hosts after Brenna and Millie’s engagement! Your warm atmosphere and beautiful location added the perfect touch to their special day. The stunning setting made for some incredible post-proposal photos.