Meatpacking Proposal NYC | Rice + Sarah

The Best NYC Proposal Photographer …

Photographing a marriage proposal involves a great guy, an amazing girl, and a plan. How and where will you propose are the top questions I ask clients. From the start, Rice knew how he was going to propose and where. He made my job of planning and photographing their proposal in the Meatpacking District of NYC easy and fun.

Knowing when to propose

The second Rice and Sarah stopped walking, passing by New Yorkers and tourists alike knew Rice was going to propose. Sarah on the other hand did not. She was SHOCKED as Rice got down on one knee! Photographing their proposal was genuinely exciting.

Engagement Session Photos

Post proposal, I photographed the newly engaged couple along the iconic cobble stone streets with a few simple poses. Having the honor of photographing a just engaged couple is a lot of fun and super easy. I never have to ask a couple to smile. The energy I capture in my photos is 100% real.

Luke and Maria Proposal | The Plaza Hotel NYC

Congrats Luke and Maria! … And a big “thank you” Ana for your help planning everything!

NYC Suprise proposal

Luke surprised Maria, his high school girlfriend, while on her work trip in New York City. The couple Is from Washington D.C. and rarely comes up to New York City. Luke told me it’s been their dream to stay at New York City’s The Plaza Hotel and he wanted to incorporate The Plaza in to the moment. So we chose just outside The Plaza in front of the Pulitzer Fountain.

How to surprise her with your proposal

Leading up to the proposal, Luke had Maria’s dad tell Maria that their friend was going to give her tickets to a special Ellen DeGeneres taping in New York City on Friday night. All Maria had to do was meet the friend outside The Plaza Hotel at 4pm. Unfortunately, there was no show and no tickets.

Luckily, Luke had something better.

I photographed every moment leading up to Luke’s proposal. I photographed Luke pacing until he saw Maria at a distance. I photographed Maria approaching Luke and the moment she saw him, and was shock he was in New York City. Photographing proposals are some of my favorite photo assignments!

After the question was asked and the couple had their time, we did a mini-engagement photo session in Central Park. On our way to the park, which is right across from the Plaza Hotel, they told me they’re “super awkward” in front of the camera. (Aren’t we all?!?). Once in Central Park, I had them just walk and forget I was there. I photographed Luke and Maria doing their thing and then I slowly worked in some easy posing.

Photographing at the Plaza hotel

From there we took a few photos outside The Plaza on the step and a few photos inside. Once inside the historic Plaza Hotel Luke had another surprise to share. The couple would be staying at the hotel for the weekend!

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Ryan + Hannah | Central Park Winter Proposal

Congrats to the newly engaged couple, Ryan and Hannah!

HOW I PHOTOGRAPHED A CENTRAL PARK PROPOSAL

The back story to photographing this iconic NYC proposal | Ryan and I, worked out a day and a location for his marriage proposal. The location would be Central Park’s Bow Bridge and the Bethesda Fountain on Saturday. Both locations are great places to photograph proposals in New York City and both capture iconic NYC points of interest. However, as we got closer we saw it was going to rain/ snow on Saturday. Although, we had a plan B indoor location, it wasn’t what either of us had planned. Most importantly, it wasn’t what Ryan wanted.

I <3 BEING A NYC PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHER

I reassured Ryan that I could photograph in the rain if he wanted to go ahead with his original plan. In fact, I’ve photographed countless marriage proposals in Manhattan and Brooklyn in the rain, sleet, snow, and extreme heat. But we agreed to reschedule and it was going to be for the better.

The solution was moving the proposal to Friday. Ryan and I were in constant contact about the new date, new time, and even the new location. This new location was where they went on one of their first dates and had great views of Manhattan looking South.

Hank + Kristen Madison Square Park Proposal

Congrats, Hank and Kristen! The plan: After brunch with Kristen’s parents, her sister Kasey, and their friend Alex, would all walk through Madison Square Park where Hank would propose. The Spot: The northwest corner of the park in front of the fountain with the clocktower in the background.

MY PLAN ON HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH A nyc proposal

At 2:30pm just as we planned, the group walked in to the park. As they all approached the fountain, Kristen’s family and Alex stopped, and Kristen and Hank walked ahead.

Hank proposed.

POST PROPOSAL ENGAGEMENT STYLE SESSION PHOTOS ARE MY FAVORITE

After a few candid moments, several posed shots, and a family photo, we captured a great mini-session throughout Madison Square Park. This area of Manhattan really captures the essence of NYC and the Flatiron District. We took full advantage of the perfect late Fall afternoon light, remaining foliage, and the Christmas lights throughout the proposal 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.

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Justin's Madison Square Park Proposal

Justin proposed late Wednesday night just before his now fiancé, Ashley, left work for a long 4 day Thanksgiving break. Justin chose to surprise Ashley outside of her office in Madison Square Park and have me photograph the moment for several reasons. First, Madison Square Park is where they ended many of their first dates. Next, Ashley and Justin work opposite schedules, and Justin knew he had to catch Ashley when she’d least expect it. So, after work going in to a holiday weekend when they were both off was a perfect time.

But, how would Justin know when and where Ashley would be after work? Well, Ashley always texts Justin when she’s leaving work. Second, Ashley leaves work at the same exact time everyday, so she can catch her commuter train home. Lastly, Ashley always walks to the train the same exact way everyday.

With the help of Justin’s sister we laid rose pedals around the area Justin would ask Ashley to marry him. A few minutes before Ashley left work I made sure my cameras and flashes were set correctly for the very low-light proposal. Justin’s sister held their dogs and watched from afar.

Right on the dot, at 5:30pm Ashley left her office and by 5:35pm she was saying “Yes” to Justin’s big question.

Steven + Rebekah’s Proposal | Plaza Hotel NYC

Congrats, Steven and Rebekah! | Steven’s choice of proposing outside of the Plaza Hotel and in front of the fountain was purely his idea. The couple lives just a few blocks and Steven knew he could convince Rebekah to go that way while heading to their favorite restaurant. Rebekah was in shock and in complete disbelief.

Post proposal we walked to a restaurant where both of their families were waiting.

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