What started as a love-story photo-shoot, ended up with Roma on his knees holding a ring!
These two love-birds joined a recent Surf Еxpedition to Mozambique via Kruger Park, South Africa, organised by Unravel Surf Travel, June/July 2014.
Being an organiser and photographer for Unravel Surf Travel, Roma approached me in advance and told me about his plan to propose to his girlfriend, Anya, during our Surf Tour.
At more or less the same time Anya contacted me and booked a couple’s photo-shoot during the Surf Tour.
Obviously this was the perfect setup for a proposal! Anya would be convinced that she was getting ready for their couple’s photo-shoot, while Roma and myself were preparing for something far more special!
After an hour of taking beautiful photographs of the couple, we moved to a little beach-restaurant where Anya thought we would simply carry on shooting.
But as we moved onto the beach, in the gentle light of a setting sun, I stepped aside and Roma’s eyes started glinting mischievously.
He took Anya’s hand and opened his hand onto hers. At first she had no idea what was happening.
But then she saw the ring. At first there were no words. She had had no idea, but now it was clear. Roma wanted to marry her! She was surprised. She was happy. And I was quietly saying to myself “please say yes, please say yes!”
After a few moments, but what seemed like ages to Roma and myself, she finally said it. Softly. Yes.
There were lots of tears. There was laugher. And there were hugs all around!
It felt incredibly special to be a part of such an important moment in their lives!
They spent the rest of the night alone at their private dinner table on the sand, surrounded by nothing other than stars and the warm Indian Ocean waters along the coast of Mozambique…
All photographs by Jenya Zhivaleva
Place: Barra, Mozambique
Jenya Zhivaleva Photography - Garden Route. South Africa. 