Phillip and Shiny's surprise engagement photoshoot in Gougane Barra

Many travellers visit Gougane Barra for a wedding or to enjoy the tiny church in the middle of the lake, but as one of Ireland's most romantic wedding locations along the Wild Atlantic Way, it also makes for the perfect backdrop for a romantic proposal.

So when Philip contacted me to said he wanted to photograph and plan a surprise Irish proposal, I was all for it!

Except for when he said he wanted to do it on a boat, on a lake, in Gougane Barra! I was like dude, you are nuts. You could fall in or lose the ring in the water. But Philip had this idea in his head and wanted me to capture it so I am glad he did.

Boat rental at the lake is only available to guests of the gorgeous Gougane Barra Hotel, which is a 5th generation family-run hotel hidden in this stunning valley. A hotel filled with old-world charm, I highly recommend it.

Philip and Shiny had planned a morning paddle across the lake before enjoying breakfast at the hotel and travelling along the Beara Peninsula. I hid in the bushes until I saw my cue (which was shiny taking a panoramic video of the lake) at which point when she reached Philip, he would have the engagement ring out.

I ran from my cover onto the small pier and took lots of stunning photos of their magical moment, the water's reflections only briefly rippled with squeals of "It's so huge". Thankfully she was referring to the ring and nothing else!