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The Best Beach for Photos on St. Thomas

Added on by sage hammond.

Now that you have decided to do a photo session with Crown Images, your first question will be: “Where is the best beach for photos on St. Thomas?” If you are anything like me, you will want to know all your options to help you find the perfect fit.

Here are my 4 favorite beaches for photos on St. Thomas:

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Magens Bay Beach

Magens Bay Beach is located on the north side of the island and is the largest beach on the island. This is my favorite beach on St. Thomas. I normally go to the left side of the beach for privacy in the evenings and more central in the morning. Magens is stunning in the morning and rarely has any seaweed. This location is awesome if you are going to spend the day at the beach after photos, they rent chairs and have a beach bar. Magens does charge a small entrance fee. The next two slideshows are of Magens, the first one was taken in the morning and the second slideshow is in the evening.

Sapphire Beach

I always recommend Sapphire Beach if you would like something more than just the beach for photos. This area has a palm tree area, that offers the perfect amount of shade for sensitive eyes and Pretty Klip Point with an epic view of the other islands, the point can be really windy. Sapphire Beach does get seaweed during the summer months and can have a lot of wind during the winter months.

Lindquist Beach

I think Lindquist Beach is the prettiest beach on St. Thomas. It has the clearest water and the whitest sand. This small beach is located on the east side of the island and photographs well any time of day. However, it is normally windy (something to consider for your hair in photos) and does get seaweed during the summer months. This beach has a small entrance fee.

Secret Harbour Beach

This sweet little beach is located on the east side of the island. It has a small resort on it and a restaurant called Sunset Grill. This beach is ideal if you are looking for a beach without wind, which is nice for your hair to stay in place but can also feel much warmer. Secret Harbour Beach is also wonderful for a surprise proposal since it has a restaurant on the beach. This beach has very limited parking and is best if you stay here or take a taxi. The next two slide shows show the lighting in the morning and evening.

Limetree Beach

Limetree Beach is located on the south side of the island and is beautiful in the morning as well as to watch the sun setting. It has an open view of the ocean and a beautiful rock formation to the right side of the beach. There is a small timeshare located on this property, as well as a restaurant. The first slideshow is during the morning hours and the second slideshow is in the afternoon prior to sunset.


Charlotte Amalie

One last idea is to do photos in downtown area called Charlotte Amalie.


You are always welcome to do photos at your resort or villa for the convenience.


5 Ways to Propose in the Virgin Islands!

Added on by sage hammond.
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Did you know it’s engagement season? Well, it is. It starts around Thanksgiving and lasts until about Valentine’s Day. I love engagement photos almost as much as I love wedding photos!!!

St. Thomas is the perfect location for engagement photos and better still the perfect place for a marriage proposal. I absolutely am in love with a surprise beach proposal while vacationing in the Caribbean.

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Now, if you’re thinking about “popping” the question on your next trip to the Virgin Islands, I have a few tips on how to go about asking. Really, it takes just a little planning and it is easier then you think.

First—email a professional photographer, you will want to capture this special moment and share it with everyone.

Second—decide how much of a surprise you would like it to be. Will you be able to tell her about the photo shoot without her getting suspicious?  I’ve had some guys arrange a couple’s photo session and she still has no idea or they plan a family photo session and it becomes a surprise proposal. If you don’t want to tell her about the photos, then you will have to find a way to get her dressed for the occasion and to the beach.

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Next—how to get her to the beach and keep it a secret. If you decide that you aren’t going to tell her about the shoot for the proposal here are my suggestions on getting the best photos for your surprise proposal:

1.     Make plans to visit the beach for a sunset walk on your way to your dinner reservations. This way you are both dressed for the occasion and it will sound natural and romantic.

2.     If you are traveling with your family or a group, arrange a family photo session or have someone in your group do a couples session as a distraction and a way to get her to the beach dressed for photos.

3. Keep things simple and plan a romantic picnic evening to watch the sunset together at the beach. Your photographer should be hiding out close by to capture you asking the big question. There are a lot of amazing locations on St. Thomas to pick from.

4.     I had one couple that planned their own photo shoot with a selfie-stick. They dressed to take photos of themselves and I was there to get it all… it worked.

5. Book a private dinner with Chef Colin right on the beach! He will set a table up on any beach and serve you champagne and dinner at your own private table, it’s as amazing as it sounds and you can find out more on his page HERE.

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Now, that you have a location and a plan to get her to the beach, how are you going to go about asking her the big question? I believe life is best when you keep things simple, so I recommend simply getting down on one knee. The trick will be to get her facing the camera she doesn’t know about. This is pretty easy if you are walking in the direction of the photographer. You can also stop and look out at the ocean together… then you can take one step back from the water, get down on one knee and she will turn from the water towards you and your sparkly ring, aaannnndddddd the camera. Boom!!!! Easy, magical, and a moment you will forever cherish & remember.

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If you feel like getting a little creative for your Virgin Islands beach proposal, here are a few ideas I’ve seen work well:

  1. Write in the sand “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” This can be written in the sand, with sea glass, or with rose petals.

  2. A wedding planner like Island Bliss Weddings can design a magical picnic spot with champagne, flowers, pillows, and candles.

  3. A florist like East End Flower Shop can design a large heart-shaped out of rose petals.

  4. There is also the idea of doing a mutual engagement, where you plan together.

  5. My favorite and go-to is the simplest of all—you just point out over the water to direct her attention away, say something like, “Look a dolphin or sea turtle!” and get down on one knee!!!!!

  6. Another idea is to ask her to marry you privately while it’s just the two of you and tell her that you have an engagement session planned the next day. This way she knows about the photo session and can pick her favorite dress and we can always recreate the proposal moment for a photograph.

  7. I also love this slim engagement box that will not be noticed in your pocket!

  8. A sunset sail can be romantic as well. I love working with Sail Meow.

I would love to hear if you have a creative idea for a surprise beach proposal.

The best part about doing a surprise proposal on a St. Thomas beach is that it instantly turns into your first engagement session.  Send me an email and we will get started on planning your perfect surprise proposal.

Tips for Better Wedding Photos #3

Added on by sage hammond.

Be on time:

Make sure you allow enough time for everything, so that you don't feel rushed and can simply enjoy yourself. Most weddings in the Virgin Islands are planned at sunset and it's so important to be on time for your wedding to make sure you get to see the sun setting. Since the V.I. is so close to the equator our sunset is very fast and it will make for better photos if you're there to enjoy it.

Delegate Tasks:

Everyone at your wedding is there because they love you, so without a doubt they would be more then happy to lend a hand and help in anyway. This can be as simple as someone being in charge of champagne while everyone is getting ready or carry your lipstick for touch ups, just so you don’t have to think about it.

Embrace the unexpected:

It's so important the day of your wedding to not let the little things bother you, like the flowers being the wrong color. Keep an open mind and go with the flow, you've done all you can at this point, and it's important to enjoy your wedding day.

Have fun:

I can't think of another reason that couples diced to get married in the U.S. Virgin Islands other then they would like to have a fun wedding! There really isn't a more relaxed way to get married then being barefoot on the beach, so plan on having the wedding of your dreams!