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Carolina + Jack’s Surprise Proposal
Melissa Rodriguez Melissa Rodriguez

Carolina + Jack’s Surprise Proposal

Jack and Carolina were visiting from out of town when Jack reached out with plans to propose in Santa Monica. Wanting something private and meaningful, we chose Palisades Park as the perfect spot, tucked away with ocean views and a quieter feel.

The day came with rain, and for a moment it looked like we might need to change plans. In the end, we stuck with our original location, and everything came together beautifully. Even with the weather, the proposal felt intimate, heartfelt, and full of emotion, a reminder that the most meaningful moments don’t need perfect conditions to be unforgettable.

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Laura’s Griffith Park Engagement Session
Melissa Rodriguez Melissa Rodriguez

Laura’s Griffith Park Engagement Session

Laura Airo and her fiancé were an absolute joy to photograph, sweet, easygoing, and effortlessly fun to be around. Their engagement session took place on August 18, 2025, tucked away in Cedar Grove at Griffith Park, a hidden woodland spot reached by a short hike that feels straight out of a fairytale.

With their wedding planned for May 31, 2026 in Sequoia National Park, they wanted an engagement location in Los Angeles that echoed the same forested, nature-filled atmosphere. Cedar Grove was the perfect match, offering towering trees, soft light, and a quiet sense of intimacy that reflected both their story and the adventure ahead.

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Vi + Josh’s Surprise Proposal
Melissa Rodriguez Melissa Rodriguez

Vi + Josh’s Surprise Proposal

Vi and Josh’s surprise proposal session took place on November 16, 2025, at Point Vicente Lighthouse in Palos Verdes, with sweeping ocean views and coastal cliffs setting the scene. The moment unfolded quietly and beautifully, surrounded by sea air, soft light, and the steady rhythm of the waves below. From the surprise itself to the joy that followed, the session was filled with genuine emotion, tender reactions, and the kind of connection that made the moment feel both intimate and unforgettable.

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Iris + Sam’s Wedding Day
Melissa Rodriguez Melissa Rodriguez

Iris + Sam’s Wedding Day

Iris and Sam’s wedding at Tuscan Rose Ranch felt like stepping into a hidden garden, timeless, romantic, and quietly magical. Surrounded by European chateau architecture, lush greenery, and blooming lavender fields, the setting created a dreamy backdrop for a day that felt both elegant and deeply personal.

Their focus was on authenticity and connection. From a private first look and intimate vow exchange in the gardens to golden hour portraits filled with soft light, laughter, and genuine emotion, every moment unfolded naturally. With no wedding party, the celebration stayed centered on their love and the people closest to them. Thoughtful details like Charlie as their ring bearer, surprise In-N-Out and ice cream trucks, lawn games, heartfelt parent dances, and a sparkler exit added warmth and joy to the day. The result was a seamless flow of love, laughter, and meaningful moments, blending an elegant garden celebration with a relaxed, joy-filled gathering of their favorite people.

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Amanda + Preston’s Engagement Session
Melissa Rodriguez Melissa Rodriguez

Amanda + Preston’s Engagement Session

Amanda and Preston’s engagement session took place on November 23, 2025, in Santa Monica, with the park setting offering a relaxed and open backdrop for their time together. The session felt easy and unforced, focusing on natural moments, quiet connection, and the kind of laughter that comes from simply being yourselves. It was a laid-back, meaningful way to capture this season of their story.

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Emanuela and Josh’s Wedding Day
Melissa Rodriguez Melissa Rodriguez

Emanuela and Josh’s Wedding Day

Their wedding at the Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga was intimate, nature-filled, and full of quiet emotion. Surrounded by trees, flowing water, and soft canyon light, the day unfolded with ease on October 4, 2025. From gentle glances to shared laughter with their closest people, every moment felt intentional and deeply connected, a beautiful continuation of their story.

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Ben + Grant’s Couple’s Session
Melissa Rodriguez Melissa Rodriguez

Ben + Grant’s Couple’s Session

Ben and Grant’s connection is rooted in ease, humor, and genuine affection. After getting engaged during a trip to Santa Monica in July 2023, they’ve continued to show up as their most authentic selves together, playful, relaxed, and deeply connected.

Grant brings an easygoing, go-with-the-flow energy, never hesitating to lean into the moment, even when that meant braving cold ocean water. Ben balances that with quiet tenderness and playful gestures, sneaking in nose nibbles and lighthearted teasing throughout the session. Together, they create candid, natural moments that feel full of warmth, laughter, and real connection, the kind that’s effortless to photograph.

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Ritika + Rohan’s Surprise Proposal
Surprise Proposals Melissa Rodriguez Surprise Proposals Melissa Rodriguez

Ritika + Rohan’s Surprise Proposal

Rohan planned a quiet, thoughtful proposal for Ritika at the Getty, a place deeply woven into their story. It’s where they shared their first date and first kiss after reconnecting in Southern California, years after meeting in high school in Northern California and going to prom together. For them, the Getty holds some of their earliest and most meaningful memories.

The day unfolded effortlessly. By coincidence, we parked at the same time and rode the elevator up together, which made it easy to blend into the surroundings while Ritika remained completely unaware. Rohan had carefully chosen the exact spot for the proposal, somewhere beautiful, intentional, and true to them. When he asked her to take a selfie, it became the perfect cue. I stayed back, giving them space, and captured the moment as it naturally happened.

Her reaction was pure shock and joy. After giving them time to soak it all in, we continued with relaxed portraits while wandering through the Getty together. The entire experience felt calm, genuine, and deeply personal, just like the photographs that came from it.

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“Melissa is professional, creative, communicative, and delivers high quality work. Honestly, book her. You will not be disappointed!”

Tori + Alex