Marriage Proposal

Kalil's Madison Square Park Morning Proposal in New York City

Should I Propose In The Morning Or Afternoon?

Proposing in the morning has so many great benefits, especially in New York City. My top reasons to propose in the morning are as follows:

  • Get it done and have the rest of the day to celebrate! Plan a post proposal brunch and then call your family/friends to share the news.

  • Beat the crowds - Most NY’ers and tourists alike don’t really start their day until noon. That’s when all the good spots start to get busy.

  • Lighting - The morning has GREAT light and lets us photograph in places we could not otherwise.

I know not everyone is a morning person, however the best way to get your partner out and about is by promising a coffee and a pastry. Real New Yorkers can’t say no to a good pastry and a coffee. Walk the park or that special place with a coffee in one hand and your partners hand in the other. I know it may be a bit cliche, but nothing beats a morning coffee and an empty city. Your partner will forget about the early wakeup when you ask the big question.

Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of Professional New York City photographers specializing in photographing private NYC proposals, as well as engagement sessions and weddings.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HIRING A PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHER IN NYC

David and Elise - Grand Central Park (Manhattan, NY)

New York’s Central Park: A Beautiful Location to propose in any season.

Just because there is snow on the ground and a nip to the air doesn’t mean you can’t propose. In fact, the snow makes the moment that much better for memories and for photos. It’s an ideal and picturesque New York City proposal! In the city that never sleeps love has no season and no reason to stop, a winter Central Park Proposal can be a beautiful way to start the next chapter.

How to Plan a Last-Minute Secret Proposal

David got in touch with me to photograph the big moment just a few days before he wanted to propose. The plan was, he and his now fiancée-to-be, Elise, would be walking Central Park before their date at the MET. Little did Elise know, David had picked the perfect spot in the park to pop the question: Cleopatra's Needle.

Even though the day was closing in fast, David and I coordinated the logistics making sure I would be waiting to capture the moment and Elise’s friends would be waiting nearby to celebrate afterward!

Winter Engagement Photo Shoot Magic:

Hidden in the snow I waited for David and Elise to walk up the stairs to the Needle and when David dropped on one knee I was there to capture it.


She said Yes!


Elise’s friends jumped out with balloons and champagne in hand! After a toast with friends, we walked through Central Park for a mini-engagement session capturing the winter wonderland. We finished up with a few photos on the steps of the MET and then David and Elise were on their way to Celebrate.

Congrats you two!

Photographer: Trent Campbell

Will and Anne Secret Central Park Proposal

Where to propose in NYC’s central park

Will and I decided on a location in Central Park just past the Bow Bridge in an area known as “the Ramble”. Will chose this specific area because it’s an area him and Anne often visit on their weekend strolls through the park.

Leading up to Saturday’s proposal we closely watched the weather as it bucketed rain, and we hoped for the best. The rain ended late Friday night, and in the morning some foliage remained, the winds died down, and the sun shined bright. Saturday morning turned out to be a beautiful day.

This Central Park Proposal Photographer is always ready

A few minutes before Will and Anne arrived I politely asked a few lingering tourists if they could move. “A couple is about to come and propose. Do you mind moving to the side?”, I asked. Precisely on time (11am) Will and Anne arrived. They admired the view of the famous Dakota building, and Will dropped down on one knee. Without even asking “Will you marry me?”, Anne said “YES!”

After the big moment, both Anne and Will took it all in. There was crying. There was laughter. There was happiness. And, there was also some runny mascara!

Engagement mini-session photos

After capturing the proposal and they took it all in, I introduced myself. We then took a few posed photos, a few close ups of Anne’s new ring, and walked around for a few minutes. We headed towards the Bow Bridge and then towards the Bethesda Fountain hunting for the remaining foliage.

Congrats Will and Anne!

Pier 26 NYC Marriage Proposal - Robert and Dani

Congrats to New York City’s newest engaged couple, Robert and Dani!

proposal photographer or weather man?

After a long and cold rainy Fall day, photographing a secret marriage proposal in Lower Manhattan on Pier 26 on the Hudson River was what I needed to brighten the gloomy day. I discreetly photographed Robert and Dani from a fairly close distance prior Robert asking Dani to marry him. Then, when Robert got down on one knee I walked closer.

Photographing proposals in NYC just never gets old!

Post proposal we did a mini-engagement shoot. Just as my shutter snapped the last photo of the session the sky opened up, and it started raining once again.

Pier 25 Hudson River Park Marriage Proposal - Phil and Baylee

Proposing in New York City with a waterfront view

On any given summer or fall night one of the most perfect places to photograph a secret proposal in NYC is on Pier 25 on Lower Manhattan’s West Side. Along the Hudson River as the sun starts to set a warm light touches everything and everyone in its path to the horizon. On Pier 25, you’ll find unobstructed views of the World Trade Center, Statue of Liberty, and the Jersey City skyline as you watch the sun set.

Congrats Phil and Baylee!

The plan. Every guy has to have a plan on how he is going to propose and how he will have it photographed. Phil’s plan was to get drinks at Pier 25’s Grand Banks on the Hudson River, and then propose. Prior Friday evening, we discussed the location of where he’d pop the question, the pros/cons of each location, and variables. We decided to make final a game time decision that evening based upon how busy the pier was. If the end of the pier was busy we’d move the marriage proposal down the pier to here. If the end of the pier was not busy, Phil would propose just feet away from their table after paying the bill.

With Pier 25 being fairly empty for a beautiful mid September evening (at sunset none the less) we texted one another and confirmed he’d propose at the end of the pier.

Post proposal and candids, I congratulated NYC’s newest engaged couple, and then we did a mini-shoot.

Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of Professional New York City photographers specializing in photographing private NYC proposals, as well as engagement sessions and weddings.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HIRING A PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHER IN NYC