Blog | Debbie Markham Photography in Cambria // Wedding Photographer // Family Photographer // Cayucos Photographer // Morro Bay Photographer // Los Osos Photographer // Templeton Photographer // California Central Coast

May 2, 2026May 2, 2026

Surprise Proposal and Engagement in Morro Bay

Surprise Proposal and Engagement Photos in Morro Bay

Anoop’s surprise proposal and engagement in Morro Bay on the sand dunes was the kind of moment photographers dream about… soft high fog natural light, nervous excitement, and a tiny secret village of friends working behind the scenes. Ten of his friends came early to set up the arch in the sand, then tucked themselves away behind a sandy berm, waiting for the big moment like a chorus of very invested desert mice. And me? I was lying flat on my stomach in the sand, trying my best to disappear in my tan pants and jacket. YES, I really did dress to match the sand dunes. Commitment, camouflage, and candid photography all in one outfit.

This is my favorite type of job: the real reactions, the unposed joy, the split-second expressions before anyone remembers a camera exists. The surprise, the laughter, the happy tears, the friends popping out after the “yes,” and the whole scene unfolding under the wide-open sky made it unforgettable. Congratulations, Anoop! What a beautiful beginning, and what a joy to capture it.

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Surprise Proposal and Engagement Photos in Cambria

March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

Cal Poly and Cuesta Graduation Portraits

As a San Luis Obispo photographer, I love capturing college graduation portraits that honor not only the achievement itself, but also the energy, pride, and possibility that come with this season of life. Logan graduated from the nursing program at Cuesta College, Nate and friends graduated from Cal Poly, and David graduated from Cal State East Bay… allexciting milestones worth celebrating in a big way.

These graduation sessions in San Luis Obispo are such a fun way to celebrate. Bring a friend or a whole group of friends, a few bottles of champagne, or any props that feel personal to you. The photos are beautiful, but the best part is the memory of being together, laughing, celebrating, and documenting this unforgettable chapter with college graduation portraits you’ll always treasure.

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January 31, 2026January 31, 2026

Cambria Family Photographer

Cambria photographer, family photographer, family of 6 photo session, kids, beach, vacation, fun, family friendly, family photos, Debbie Markham

As a Cambria family photographer, I get a front-row seat to the kind of joy you can’t stage, you can only catch. This week’s session was a family of six with four kids under ten, tumbling through a beach morning like a happy little weather system: salty hair, sand-speckled cheeks, and that unstoppable vacation energy. And honestly, vacation is the best time to take photos. Everyone’s already exhaling. The schedule is softer, the mood is lighter, and the ocean does half the work by turning even “regular moments” into something frame-worthy. We wandered the coastline, paused where the cliffs curve just right, and let the kids be kids, because the best family images usually happen in the in-between: the hand squeeze, the giggle attack, the sprint back to mom.

One pro tip that saves the day (and your patience): bring treats. Photo shoots are fun, but they can feel long for little bodies after posing eight times in eight different spots along the beach and coastline. A small stash of easy snacks, a favorite candy, or even a “photo shoot treasure” can turn the whole experience into a game instead of a grind. I’ll guide you through the posing quickly, then we’ll keep moving, keep it playful, and keep the focus on connection over perfection. The result is a gallery that feels like your family, not a stiff version of you, and that’s the magic I feel lucky to document again and again here on the Cambria shore. 🌊📷

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