Blog Post

Where is the best place to propose in NYC?

"Where to propose in NYC" is often the #1 question our inquiries ask, so please read through our top suggestions and recommendations below. After having photographed over 2500+ secret proposals throughout NYC, we decided to create a go-to guide of our favorite spots.

As Professional New York City Proposal Photographers, our top 12 favorite places to secretly photograph a proposal in NYC are (not listed in any specific order) list below. When creating this list we thought about places that were private, with views, and locations that were quintessential New York City! - Thinking of Central Park read about our Top Central Park Proposal Locations here!

1) Ladies Pavilion - Central Park NYC

“Find somewhere off the beaten path where you’ll have privacy” is what we tell clients when helping them plan their proposal. Ladies Pavilion on Manhattan’s West side is a great location to propose and to have your moment photographed. It’s a quick walk in to the park, it’s not too busy, you’ll have a view of the city, and there are plenty of places in the area for post-proposal photos.

*Recommended Time Of Day to propose | Late afternoon - Dusk

2) Shakespeare garden - Central Park NYC

CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS

Shakespeare Garden on Manhattan’s West side is a little known spot with a ton of beauty. It’s a quick walk in to the park, it’s not too busy, and it will allow you to have privacy. It’s one of the most private places in Central Park to propose.

*Recommended Time Of Day to propose | Anytime

3) Gantry Plaza - long island city

Gantry Plaza in Long Island City is one of our favorite places to photograph proposals. The unobstructed views of New York City and the Empire State Building are unrivaled. If you love New York City and it is a part of your story, then Gantry Plaza is the place to propose. It’s also not a busy NYC location for tourists. This spot beats Brooklyn Bridge Park if you’re looking for views of NYC and a private place to propose.

*Recommended Time Of Day to propose | Mornings and Sunset

4) Brooklyn bridge Park - DUMBO

Whether you are visiting New York or you are a native, this proposal location is just breath taking. Proposing on the Brooklyn Bridge with the NYC Skyline behind you first thing in the morning is one the best places to propose in all of New York City. The photos we can capture on the Brooklyn Bridge and then in DUMBO go well beyond just photographing the proposal moment.

*Recommended Time Of Day to propose | Mornings before the crowds grow

5) The Edge at Hudson yards

The Edge Proposal Photographer Hudson Yards NYC

Photographing at The Edge in Hudson Yards, with its stunning views of NYC, is special. Your proposal photos at The Edge will have unobstructed views of New York City, whether that’s looking uptown, downtown, towards Brooklyn, New Jersey, and Long Island. Even though this proposal spot is a NYC go to for tourists, it’s spacious and crowds are kept in check with pre-purchased timed tickets.

*Recommended Time Of Day to propose | Mornings and late afternoon.

6) Manhattan’s pier 25 or 45 at Hudson river park (West side)

With Pier 25 and Pier 45 being fairly long it’s often pretty empty. This location is great for choosing a sunset proposal. Pictured above is a beautiful July morning proposal we photographed.

*Recommended Time Of Day to propose | Anytime

7) Manhattan’s pier 17 (East side)

Photographing proposals at Pier 17 on Manhattan’s East Side provides you that iconic view of the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s also a great location for brunch and an easy excuse for getting them out of the house, and looking nice.

*Recommended Time Of Day to propose | Mornings and afternoons

8) LIncoln center

Lincoln Center NYC Proposal Photographer

We are always helping people come up with a convincing plan on how to get him/her out of the apartment, and out of the apartment dressed up. The best way to get that special person dressed up is to go to a show at Lincoln Center and plan an evening they’ll never forget.

Proposing outside of Lincoln Center puts on a show she’ll never forget!

*Recommended Time Of Day to propose | Late afternoon

9) Rooftop proposal

It’ll feel like you’re on top of the world when you propose on top of a NYC rooftop with the bustling city below you. We’ll help you secure a roof top spot of your own or photograph the moment on a rooftop / balcony of your choosing.

More rooftop proposal locations

*Recommended Time Of Day to propose | Anytime - Just depends on location.

10) Bow Bridge landing - Central park

Bow Bridge marriage proposal Central Park Photographer

Just past the iconic Central Park Bow Bridge is our favorite late afternoon spot called the “Bow Bridge Landing”. Tourists will walk to the Bow Bridge just to check it out and stop. They don’t go past it. A few people will go past the bridge and take a look at the landing, but not go down the path. This keeps the spot private and generally open. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall the afternoon here is perfect for a proposal. Another benefit of this spot is it’s central location within the park.

More proposals at the Bow Bridge Landing in Central Park

*Recommended Time Of Day to propose | Late afternoon - We can NOT photographed here until the late afternoon due to lighting. Imagine taking an iPhone photo in front of a very bright window, the background will be bright and you will be dark.

Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of 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

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Where to Propose in NYC - COVID Update

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The best place to propose in New York City, COVID or no COVID, is outdoors. New York City provides countless iconic locations with uniquely New York backdrops. Outdoor Zoos (Central Park Zoo, Brooklyn Zoo, and the iconic Bronx Zoo), Botanical Gardens, skyline vistas, and parks (Central park, Gantry Plaza, Washington Square Park…) are some of the most popular places to propose, and the safest during COVID.

While proposing in a restaurant is romantic, it entails logistics and careful coordination with the restaurant staff. Most restaurants or indoor facilities will not allow you to take off your mask with others around. They also have ugly dividers and makeshift precautions that will be in your photos. While Grand Central Terminal is usually my go to indoor location when it rains or there is bad weather, during COVID you must wear a mask while in the terminal. This means, you’re going to have masks on in all of your photos.

Currently, there are no tourists in New York City. New York is now for the real New Yorkers, and because of this we now have unobstructed access to the city’s treasures; Central Park Bow Bridge, Gantry Plaza, Brooklyn Waterfront DUMBO, Brooklyn Promenade. When photographing your proposal we no longer have people staring, looking, and gathering with awkward faces in the background.

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Been Working R-overtime Lately

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Virginia Land Rover Defender 110 For Sale

Explor’n

The official vehicle of Jonathan Heisler Photography makes its debut in Virginia.

Lately, I've just been trying to find stuff to photograph and work to, well, work on. The Corona Virus epidemic has decimated the event photography industry, just like other industries. While in Roanoke, Virginia I’ve been updating my website, puppy raising our future service dog Ruby, and planning for the return of business post-Corona Virus. I’ve also been working on my 1992 Land Rover Defender 110 pictured here. This is the truck’s first time venturing around these parts. It's been a blast!

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How to volunteer as a photographer

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Volunteer Service Dog Raiser _ America's VetDogs

"Do something good. Find a way to be productive." is what I tell people when they say things are "just very slow right now".

With my downtime, between jobs and under quarantine, I am helping raise future service dog Ruby for America's VetDogs - Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind. Ruby has taught me a whole variety of new skills, and not just how to raise a dog. Skills such as how to be more patient and never being afraid to ask for help. Raising a future service dog can require a lot of patience, it certainly requires some time, and it definitely requires a great community of other raisers who are always willing to help.

As an individual I am volunteering my time to care for and train Ruby, and as a professional photographer, I am volunteering my photography to create countless photographs. My work will be used in the organization’s marketing and advertising pieces. However, most importantly Ruby will go on to help a veteran.

How to survive the Corona Virus as a photographer

March was supposed to be a great month. As any New York photographer will tell you, New York City is the best in the Spring. As the weather gets warmer the photography business gets going. It’s full speed ahead until Thanksgiving. Warm weather = more photography jobs. Heck, it was supposed to be the best season yet! I had projected it to be the best month yet and I had the jobs booked to prove it. I had several full day conferences to photograph, a wedding, several corporate headshot days with all new clients, and more.

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Hiring a Conference Event Photographer In NYC

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How to find a professional Event photographer to photograph your conference.

The most common questions/ statements I receive from prospectus customers about hiring an event photographer or conference photographer are:

  • When do we receive the photos? I need to issue a press release and post on social media ASAP.

    • Same day images | My background is in marketing and I understand the importance of relevance. This is why I always deliver same day highlight images. As a group or individually, these photos answer the 5 Ws of your event. Who, What, Where, Why, and When did your event happen.

  • Can you stage photos with attendees in between the sessions?

    • Yes! Between speakers or sessions is NOT down time. In fact, it is my GO-GO-GO time. I’m always looking for moments to photograph and people to pose. During this time I’m politely asking people to pose in groups and acted engaged. Maybe they’re demoing a product, catching up with someone, or they’re just talking about their new puppy, I make moments look inviting, interesting, and organic.

  • “We need to incorporate branding and logos in to the photos, and be mindful of name tags.”

    • Of course! This is your event and it should be known that this is your event. Your images should include branding and cues easily identifying both your event and your brand. The photos below are from Finastra Universe in New York City, a full day FinTech conference right here in New York City. I was mindful to capture anything with Finastra’s brand (logos and colors) and incorporate it into the story of the day.

“Please don’t photograph people looking bored… We don’t need photos of people looking bored and unengaged at our event.”

This is a common email and talking point. No matter how serious the event is, there are always a few light moments. For example, someone is always guaranteed to crack a joke or do something goofy, and instantly the crowd goes wild. No matter how “instant” these moments are I am ready. As a photographer, I am always hunting for those split second events. I am always ready to photograph smiles and laughs.

And don’t worry, the serious moments will also be captured as well.

Large and Small NYC EventsI photograph events of all sizes and with varying restrictions; no flash, no moving during the presentation, and only photograph the first few minutes. During speeches I can either be a fly on the wall or I can quietly walk…

Large and Small NYC Events

I photograph events of all sizes and with varying restrictions; no flash, no moving during the presentation, and only photograph the first few minutes. During speeches I can either be a fly on the wall or I can quietly walk around capturing reaction photos and new perspectives of the event. It’s up to you.

Business Conferences and MeetingsLike a secret agent on a mission I am quiet, stealthy, and unnoticed. Regardless of your conference location, in a large ballroom or in a tiny office, I will get close, engaged, and enthusiastic images. My photograph…

Business Conferences and Meetings

Like a secret agent on a mission I am quiet, stealthy, and unnoticed. Regardless of your conference location, in a large ballroom or in a tiny office, I will get close, engaged, and enthusiastic images. My photographs are perfect for marketing and advertising pieces.