Castle Hill Lighthouse Summer Proposal | Sarah + Julius

I had the opportunity to be in Newport, Rhode Island over the Fourth of July weekend, capturing Grace and Ryan’s rehearsal dinner boat cruise and wedding! To ensure everything went smoothly, I arrived early to beat potential traffic and weather delays. It also gave me a chance to scout locations for their photos!

Newport is among my favorite places in the world. I lived there for a summer during college and fell in love with this coastal New England town. I knew I wanted to take some portraits along Ocean Drive, and Grace mentioned she’d love to have their first look at the Castle Hill Lighthouse, but I had never been! Castle Hill Lighthouse is on the property of the Castle Hill Inn, a historic Newport hotel built in 1875, and is situated along the Narragansett Bay at the end of Ocean Drive.

The day before their wedding, I drove down Ocean Drive and made my way over to the lighthouse. It was a little tricky to find, but eventually, I found the pathway leading to it. While I was there, I walked around to determine the best lighting and positioning for where I’d have Grace and Ryan stand.

As I explored the area, I heard a small group of people nearby chattering. I walked past, said hello, and a mom greeted me, telling me her daughter just got engaged! I stood and chatted with them, met the couple, and kicked myself for not bringing my camera to the lighthouse with me. After a while, I left to walk back to my car. I was tired and not wearing the proper shoes to be walking on a dirt pathway, but as I was walking back, I debated whether or not to go back up and offer to take a few photos.

When I returned to my car, I found a pair of sneakers in my trunk, grabbed my camera, and ran back up the hill to the lighthouse, hoping the couple was still there. I was pleased to find out they were, and I asked if they’d like me to take a few photos of them to celebrate! They eagerly said yes, and we spent the next few minutes running around the lighthouse, capturing this memory for Sarah and Julius.

I always knew there was something special about Newport! I left Sarah and Julius feeling grateful for all the places I’ve been to and the people I’ve met through photography. Being a part of these couple’s most precious memories is a joy.

Sarah and Julius, I wish you all the best during your engagement and hope you enjoy this time together as you begin your wedding preparations!