Engagement Photography
surprise beach proposal in Tamarindo
CostA Rica
Shanell + Victor
Five years ago, Shanell and Victor met while working at Starbucks. Little did they know that five years later, Victor would be planning a surprise beach proposal in Tamarindo Costa Rica. With the help of his dad’s coordination, they picked the date and the whole family hopped on a plane for their family beach vacation. And coinciding with the Martinez’s family trip, a low pressure system decided to camp out offshore Costa Rica in the Pacific Ocean, delivering a week of almost non stop rain. Typically in May in Rainy Season, the weather is blue skies in the morning and a passing afternoon shower. This was like a leaky faucet. So we went to plan B, crossed our fingers the low pressure system would finally move out, and postponed the proposal three days.
Finally, the rain cleared out and the blue skies moved in just in time for proposal take 2. After grabbing a sunset cocktail from Pangas Beach Club, Victor suggested to Shanell they take take a stroll down the beach. Once they got to the water’s edge, Victor slyly suggested to Shanell to walk a little ahead so he could take a photo of her looking at the ocean. With Shanell a couple paces away, Victor took out the ring, dropped to one knee, and started telling Shanell how much he loved her. That’s when Shanell turned around and was completely surprised. Giddy with excitement and disbelief, she of course said yes.
Congrats you two!

Pura Vida,
Kristen
P.S. Love these surprise beach proposal in Tamarindo Costa Rica? Check out my Lifestyle Photography portfolio!
P.P.S. You’re ready to chat? YESSSS!!! – – I’m so stoked 😁😎🙌🏻!! Fill out the form below & my assistant Gidget the Chihuahua will let me know it’s time to catch a wave in from surfing!
Let's chat!
I would love to hear what photographic ideas you have cooking, whether it be playing on the beach with your family, wandering the Spanish Moss squares in Savannah, hiking up to a beautiful waterfall, or capturing the intimate love at your wedding. I know there are countless other awesome photographers to choose from, so how about we grab a cup of delicious Costa Rican coffee and get to know each other? If the fit is right, I can’t wait to welcome you and your loved ones to the Samba to the Sea familia! Fill out the contact form or email me at hola@sambatothesea.com — you can count on me to get back to you within a day!
P.S. my clients love working with me as much as I love working with them; be sure to read their beautiful words of praise!
Recent Work
Lifestyle Family Photos in Costa Rica || Kudish Family
Want to know the dilemma when you’re a photographer? You’re not in the photo because you’re the one behind the camera. Sure, you can use a tripod and set the camera to a timer, but if you really want all those moments captured, you entrust those moments to another photographer.
So when Davina + Daniel, two very talented photographers, emailed me asking if I’d capture lifestyle family photos in Costa Rica for their family of four, I was beyond honored.
Destination Wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica || Jessie + Tanner
First comes photography class, then comes a lifetime of photos together…
Jessie + Tanner’s love story began way back in high school when Jessie was a freshman & Tanner a junior. Because both of their last names started with “W”, they were seated next to each other in photography class. They both had significant others, but there was a spark — they’d innocently flirt, but once that semester ended, they went their separate ways.
Editorial Birthday Photos in Costa Rica || Dedra
You know what they say? Costa Rica is always a good idea. Especially a special 50th birthday vacation in Costa Rica!
And the cherry on top to celebrating your birthday in paradise? A birthday photo shoot of you and your girl squad at one epic villa in Playa Ocotal!



