I photograph a lot of proposals at The Don CeSar, and there’s a reason my clients keep choosing it. It’s the most iconic coastal beach architecture on Florida’s west coast—and arguably one of the best places in the country to watch the sunset.
The Don Cesar says luxury. It says, “We’re going to have an amazing wedding, and our friends and family should start getting excited.”
Planning Your Proposal
Not local? No problem—I guide every client through the full process so everything feels natural and stress-free. This includes:
Choosing the exact location spot for your proposal
Timing your proposal to catch the perfect sunset glow
Making sure the whole experience feels effortless and genuine
You don’t have to figure this out on your own—I handle all the details.
The Don CeSar: Not Your Average Beach
No—it’s not the local public beach access. The Don CeSar is a private luxury resort, and they don’t just let anyone roam the property with a professional photographer.
Yes, to have a session inside the property you are required to pay for a permit with the catering department. If you have a pro photog with you on the property without a permit – yes they will shut it down.
Does that mean you can’t propose here? Absolutely not. We know the rules, we know what works, and that’s exactly what a professional proposal photographer brings to the table. We walk you through the process and plan it all out so your moment is perfect.
Your Proposal Photographer at The Don CeSar
Our standard service includes:
A 1-hour session
A shareable gallery with unlimited downloads
We know our competition—and how they operate—but the difference is clear: we are the original proposal photographers on St. Pete Beach. Since 2020, we’ve photographed over 200 proposals (lost track after that), created the standards and trends, and set the bar that other photographers follow.
Many new photographers are booking based solely on their social media content. With us, you get focus, attention, and an experience built around you—not just Instagram content.
A Husband & Wife Team: Twice the Coverage, Twice the Peace of Mind
One of the biggest advantages of working with us is that we’re a husband-and-wife team—two photographers who know each other’s style inside and out.
Having two photographers on site means:
Full coverage of your proposal from multiple angles
Backup in case of emergencies (lighting, equipment, or anything unexpected)
A smoother, more relaxed experience for you
Even if your booking is just for one photographer, sometimes we both attend to make sure every moment is captured perfectly.
And yes—if you choose to book a second shooter, we can also offer additional content and video, giving you even more ways to relive your proposal.
Some of our clients prefer Kyle, and some prefer myself – Xina. Sometimes one of us is already booked and the other gets assigned. Sometimes you get both of us. Lots of options here.
If you’re thinking about proposing at The Don CeSar, we’d love to help you plan it and capture it perfectly.
Reach out today and let’s make your proposal unforgettable. Use the Contact form at the bottom of the page or text (727) 537-0754 – ask for Xina!
Xina was amazing to work with and helped me plan my engagement perfectly! She was very easy to communicate with and fast to respond. The photos look amazing!
Xina did professional headshots at an event for us. The experience was great, she took time and did several poses with everyone. The photos turned out fantastic, best headshots I've ever had!
Xina Scuderi Photography was amazing to work with! Very easygoing, professional, and incredibly creative. Everything was done on time, and I absolutely loved my pictures. Highly recommend!
Had the most wonderful experience being photographed by Xina with my family for a Fall photoshoot at Gallaghers. She is so easy to work with, makes everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera and is a ton of fun to be around. Highly recommend her for your next event or photoshoot. Her turnaround time was fantastic and the vast array of images presented to us was amazing. Can’t speak more highly of her, both in her technical skills/shooting/editing etc and also her as a person/artist/creative. Five stars all day long! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just received the most incredible photos from Xina! She captured my beach yoga class so BEAUTIFULLY—the colors of the sky and ocean stood out in such a powerful way and truly elevated our presence. I was blown away by her dedication and artistic approach—she put so much passion and effort into shooting from different angles to capture the energy of our yoga and sound bath class. She even edited out a distracting sign in the background and enhanced the colors so everything looked even more magical. The turnaround time was so fast, and I felt completely supported by her throughout the process. Xina isn’t just a photographer, she’s an artist, and I’m so grateful to have her talent behind the lens. If you’re in St. Pete—especially if you’re dreaming of stunning sunset photos at Upham Beach—you absolutely need to connect with her!
We setup a sunset photo session, we like to have family photos every couple of years, and Xina made this session so special. We could not be happier with the pictures, and with her directions and her professional attitude on having fun while getting these bits of history inked in digital medium. If you want a great set of pictures during the sunset she is the one to call.
We booked a session while on vacation and really appreciated how easy she made the process. She met us right outside our hotel, which fit perfectly into our schedule and made it effortless on our part. She blended into our day without any stress or time-consuming planning. The photos captured our trip nicely and were a convenient way to get some family shots without having to arrange a big photo session.
Response from the owner 13:41 13 Aug 25
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I’m so glad the session felt easy and stress-free—that’s exactly what I aim for. While some photographers spend a lot of their clients’ time on outfit planning, props, and storytelling concepts, I keep my sessions simple so you can enjoy the moment without extra calls, consultations, or preparation. I want the process to fit naturally into your day, capture authentic memories, and give you beautiful photos without taking you away from your vacation. You are such a beautiful family, and your photos turned out absolutely spectacular—it was a joy to capture those moments for you!
Xina took our engagement photos in Clearwaters, on the beach, during sunset, and it went so well ! We were first timers and never had gotten our pictures done professionally, and she was very patient with us . She worked very well with our awkwardness haha . if we are ever back in Clearwater , we would book her again and I recommend her to anyone else interested in getting their pictures done
Response from the owner 01:49 07 Aug 25
You were awesome. Love a couple with beautiful eyes! So easy to direct. Thank you for booking.
Xina did an excellent job photographing our baby girl for her 1/2 birthday! We had family portraits taken with her at The Vinoy in the tea garden which was a perfect location! Xina was very professional and knew exactly where we should pose to get the best results. She even sang silly songs to our baby to get her to look at her and it worked!
We were so impressed with the quality of the photos we received. They came out better than we expected and will be treasured forever! We are going to have to get some of them printed to hang up in our home. They are worth every penny! We can’t recommend Xina enough for any of your professional photography needs.
Response from the owner 01:48 07 Aug 25
Cutest session ever! So glad I mentioned this location and we went with it.
