Dillon and Leah - Surprise Long Beach,NY Proposal (Long Island)

When Dillion reached out asking me to take his proposal photos, I couldn’t have been more excited to be a part of this special moment. For Dillion and Leah, the beaches of Long Beach, NY define their relationship. In the summertime, every weekend they are on the beaches of Long Beach and every evening after work they are at a Long Beach bar trivia night.

Naturally, these two wanted to have their engagement photos taken in a place that holds SO much meaning to them — Long Beach. After meeting on Bumble, Dillion and Leah were an instant match, and quickly connected over their love of the beach and the ocean.

With the family all together for Thanksgiving, Dillon was ready to take the jump and propose to his girlfriend Leah. Since Dillon and Leah both live in Long Beach, NY and with Dillon’s parents coming to Long Island for the first time, it was sure to be a Long Island Thanksgiving to remember.

Planning this Long Island Thanksgiving Proposal

Down the street from Dillon’s house in Long Beach, NY is a private boardwalk leading to the beach. We chose this location to propose for its privacy and unobstructed view of the beach. We knew this spot would serve as the perfect spot to drop down on one knee, propose, and take great photos.

The week leading up to the proposal, Dillon and I scouted the location and discussed all the details: How he would get Leah out on the walkway, where I’d be discreetly positioned to photograph the moment, and where their families would be hiding nearby to watch the proposal.

The day-of, I arrived in Long Beach early to make sure the location was ready and the stage was set.
As Dillon and Leah walked up the boardwalk, I let them pass and waited until Dillon was in position. When he dropped to one knee I snapped away.

Photographing their post proposal Champagne Toast and mini-engagement session on the beach to celebrate.

With family and friends around we took advantage of the beautiful Long Island Gold Coast and took some group family photos on the beach. Ending with a champagne toast and photos of Dillon and Leah on Long Beach’s famous jetties.

Photographer: Trent Campbell

Mike and Amanda - Long Island Gantry Plaza NYC Proposal

Congrats Amanda and Mike!

Mike and I started planning how and where he’d propose week ago. Since Amanda and Matt live together, planning the secret proposal was done mostly while Mike was at work or while he was in the car commuting to his job as a teacher on Long Island.

Photographing a New York City Proposal at Gantry Plaza makes me love NYC that much more. The view.

Together, Mike and I scouted the area and sent texts discussing how he’d propose. We watched the weather, planned the day prior to the proposal as well as their post-proposal celebration at a nearby wine bar.

The day finally arrived and I made sure to get to Gantry Plaza early.

As I saw Mike and Amanda approach the pier, I asked several people if they wouldn’t mind moving to the side for a proposal.

Capturing a mini-engagement session after your proposal provides you not only additional photos, but different looks (jacket or no jacket, different poses, and different locations)

We took full advantage of the the beautiful New York skyline throughout our post-proposal shoot. My favorite part about a Gantry Plaza proposal is photographing the Long Island sign behind the couple if they are from, or live, on Long Island, NY.

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Robert and Alexis Proposal - Thomas' School of Horsemanship

Fiancé and a Horse!

There’s no horsing around when you’re going to propose to your girlfriend!

Robert had secretly made arrangements to purchase his girlfriend’s horse “Hudson”, which she houses at Thomas’ School of Horsemanship in Melville. The two of us planned out how to get his fiance-to-be, Alexis, to the stable on a Saturday morning; coordinating around the weather, family, and making sure that Alexis had just happened to get her nails done that week!

Helping to plan a secret proposal

Robert came to me with a plan. “So Trent, my girlfriend is an equestrian and a horse trainer. I’m thinking of proposing to her at the stable she works at…oh, and I’m also going to buy her a horse. I need you to photograph the proposal and help coordinate the setup”

The pathway to this Long Island Proposal

On the day of, Alexis would arrive to find the pathway leading to Hudson’s stable lined with flowers and a plaque engraved “Owned and Loved by the Future Mrs. Rothman.” As if that wasn’t surprise enough, Robert then dropped down on one knee. Prior their arrival, I photographed the details Robert had arranged.

Once Robert and Alexis arrived, and turned around the barn Alexis quickly saw the surprise. I was ready to capture her excitement and photograph Robert as he proposed.

How could Alexis say no?

Congrats Robbert and Alexis!

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!

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.

Central Park Proposal - Patrick and Maggie

Congrats on your engagement Patrick and Maggie!

A “picture perfect quintessential New York City Fall proposal” is how I’d describe photographing Patrick’s proposal to Maggie in Central Park. Patrick was confident in knowing where and how he’d propose. Choosing Central Park’s Model Boat Pond first thing in the morning on a Saturday was ideal for lighting, foliage, and limited crowds.

Proposing in central park during the fall is one of the perfect places to propose in nyc

Just on time Patrick and Maggie approached the pond like we discussed. Maggie didn’t suspect a thing. They took in the views and watched the sailboats whisk around the pond. Then, Patrick got down on one knee and it was clear Maggie was in shock.

As a proposal photographer with years of experience, i still get excited every time i photograph a proposal. Photographing each proposal feels like a new and unique experience.

Post proposal, their family and friends rushed in for hugs and a proper champagne celebration. Once emotions settled, I photographed a mini-engagement style shoot with the newly engaged couple around the pond. We switched up the look by dressing down (jackets off).