Matt’s Hudson Yards Vessel Proposal

Congrats, Matt and Abigail!

This was my first time visiting New York City’s newest neighborhood, Hudson Yards and seeing the Vessel. So, it was certainly my first time photographing a proposal at the Vessel. Matt and I scoped out the area a few weeks prior, just as the area opened to the public, which was super cool! We discussed where he’d enter, how he was going to propose, and why they were going all the way to the West Side.

Proposing in Hudson Yards at the Vessel, a first.

I arrived an hour early and checked out the area. I texted Matt a few photos of the current scene and to assure him I was in position.

Matt and Abigail arrived, and Matt asked a passerby for a photo, but no one agreed to take a photo (CRAZY!?!?). Matt slowly started to tell Abigail about their first date, why he cared about her, and what she meant to him. Then, he got down on one knee. A crowed gathered and cheered!

Hudson Yards proposal photographer, i’ll add that to my resume

The big moment was a success. Once emotions settled, I spent some time with the couple photographing them with the Vessel in the background. Then, we walked right on to the High Line, which runs by Hudson Yards, for additional photos to provide several different looks/styles to their photos.

Kiro + Rebecca Washington Square Park Proposal

Kiro reached out to me in late March with his plan to propose to Rebecca in June. “There’s going to be a sketch artist, and rose petals, and a pianist… and it’ll be in Washington Square Park.. and while her friend gets her to sit down for a sketch, I’ll be setting up the proposal scene behind them.”

Helping you plan your NYC proposal and Photographing it

It was a vision alright, and it sounded like a dream, a dream I suggested Kiro simplify. “How are you going to ensure she sits for the sketch artist?” I asked. And he agreed with me. Most New Yorkers would not sit down for a sketch artist. That’s a NYC tourist thing. But, Kiro was adamant about his vision and he ensured me Rebecca’s friend would make it happen.

The day arrived. As Rebecca and her friend entered Washington Square Park, “on their way to a friend’s birthday party”, a sketch artist offered a free sketch session. After some convincing, Rebecca and her friend sat down. Rebecca thought the artist was sketching the two of them. Instead, she was finishing a pre-made sketch of Kiro proposing to Rebecca. The artist just needed a final look of Rebecca to complete the photo.

As a photographer this washington square park proposal is one of the most memorable nyc proposals I have photographed

Behind Rebecca was Kiro, friends, and family laying out a rose filled walkway lined with photos and candles. The crowds started to gather. After 10 minutes, the sketch artist revealed her sketch to Rebecca. She was confused until she turned around. She was in shock.

Rebecca slowly walked down the rose petal walkway picking up and reading the notes Kiro had written. The pianist played, the crowed snapped photos and cheered. Rebecca met Kiro just at the fountains edge. He asked the big question.

Vendors:

Videography: ProperPix

Pianist: Mikhail Romanov

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Matt + Erica Gantry Plaza Proposal

Congrats, Matt and Erica! About a month ago, Matt and I started planning how and where he’d propose. Since Matt and Erica live in Long Island City, near Gantry Plaza State Park, Gantry Plaza, with its awesome views of the New York City skyline, only made sense.

Photographing a Long Island City Proposal makes me love NYC that much more. It is quintessential New York

Together, Matt and I scouted the area, sent texts and emails with screenshots of the area, watched the weather, created a Plan A and a Plan B, and decided on a post proposal restaurant for brunch.

The morning of Matt’s proposal, the weather was “iffy” with rain in the forecast. I arrived at Gantry Plaza a whole 90 minutes early to send Matt final photos of our Plan A location. I also sent a Plan B location, which was under an awning. Finally, with 40 minutes to go and the raindrops subsiding, we said “Plan A is a go!”. The skies cleared.

As I saw Matt and Erica approach, I cleared the pier. It was a HUGE surprise for Erica.

capturing a mini-engagement session provides variety in the images i can deliver (posed and candid photos)

We took full advantage of the Spring flowers on our post proposal shoot.

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Lincoln Center Fountain Marriage Proposal

Lincoln Center is one of my favorite spots to walk around, to photograph, and to capture marriage proposals. Whether you come to Lincoln Center to see jazz, The Metropolitan Opera, the City Ballet or a concert at the Beacon Theater nearby, there’s something for everyone.

When Aaron approached me about photographing his Valentines Day proposal he asked for suggestions on where to propose. He thought about proposing in a restaurant, but due to logistics of hiding a photographer in a restaurant and it being valentines day (no restaurant would allow this) I suggested doing it elsewhere. Grand Central is beautiful, but there a lot of people. It would not be intimidated. Knowing Aaron lived on the Upper West Side I suggested Lincoln Center, right in front of the fountain.

Aaron and I went back and fourth planning this special moment. No detail was too small. Aaron ordered flowers and sketched out how they should be laid out. We spoke with Lincoln Center Security to guarantee we could lay out flowers around the fountain and to ensure we’d have an unobstructed space.

The day came and the weather was perfect. We texted back and fourth waiting for the time to arrive.

At 6:30 they arrived. He asked, she said “Yes!”.

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Bryan and Nicole Central Park Proposal

Proposing in NYC is iconic.

Rain, Rain, Go away… and maybe come back another day? For two weeks, Bryan and I planned how he was going to propose and where. We decided on Central Park just past the Bow Bridge at around 12:30pm. And then, 3 days before the big day the weather headed South with rain in the forecast. I made several suggestions for a plan B location (Grand Central, Holiday Shops, The Oculus). However, we stayed positive and we kept watching the weather hoping for the best. Our concern was “would Nicole go on a walk through the park if it was raining?”. Creating a story and convincing her to go is always a challenge.

photographing their proposal reminded me of why i love new york city.

In the end it all worked out! The rain ended earlier in the morning and Nicole agreed to go on walk throughout the park with Bryan.

Just a few minutes before Bryan and Nicole arrived, I politely asked several lingering tourist if they could move. “A couple is about to arrive and he’s going to propose. Do you mind moving to the side?” I politely asked.

Bryan and Nicole arrived. As tourists made their way around the couple, Bryan went down on one knee and Nicole gasped!

After the big moment everyone took it all in. There was crying and there was laughter.

After a capturing the big moment. I introduced myself. We took several posed photos, a few close ups of Nicole’s new ring, and then we went for a walk throughout Central Park. Bryan and I had chosen a few locations for more photos (the Ramble, Reservoir…). It was great!

Congrats Bryan and Nicole!

Matt’s Montauk Marriage Proposal

Proposing at the end, montauk NY .

Matt and Sarah live for their summertime Montauk weekends. For Sarah, this just another weekend on the East end of Long Island. For Matt it was thee weekend. For several weeks Matt and I planned how he was going to propose. We decided the beach across from Gosman’s would be a great spot. From Gosman’s family and friends could watch as he asked the big question. I was stoked as I drove out East to Montauk and picked up a few “supplies” for the couple.

Planning an outdoor proposal can feel like a race

Our biggest concern was the weather. Throughout the day I constantly checked the weather report. Matt and I were texting back and fourth all day, and finally at 4pm we said “IT’S A-OKAY! The weather will be fine.”

Proposal Photographers don’t miss their shot

Once I arrived to the spot I put the supplies (champagne in a cooler and flowers) in a safe spot and waited. The light and the weather were amazing and so were the views of the Atlantic Ocean. Matt and Sarah arrived right on time, and walked down to the beach. They sat on a blanket and after a few moments Matt stood up. As he started to ask the big question Sara stood up as well. Matt then got down on one knee.

Congrats Matt and Sara!