Sometimes you go on a photo shoot and the weather cooperates and you feel lucky. Other times it goes beyond that, and the weather is so unexpectedly phenomenal that you can’t even believe your luck.

The last Friday in August of 2012 was like that. After being foggy all day, the clouds parted and blue skies emerged just before we started Sarah & Jeff’s engagement session at Lover’s Point in Monterey. Then the weather continued to improve through the day.

Our luck continued when we ended our engagement session at the beach in Carmel at the spot where Jeff proposed. We spotted whales swimming offshore, a sight that Jeff had hoped to see his whole life. Sarah told me that every time they drove down the coast, Jeff told her he hoped they saw whales that day — but the day didn’t arrive until we were shooting photos on the beach for their Carmel engagement session.

Check out the photos below.