John and Maylen Marriage Proposal - The Edge at Hudson Yards

Secret Proposal At The Edge In Hudson Yards

Just about every way you look in NYC you’ll see the perfect backdrop to propose. So, when the time comes to to drop down on one knee, pop the question, and propose, choosing can be tough. However, what if you could chose all of the view in New York City?

Proposing on The Edge..

John was looking for a secret proposal photographer who wasn’t afraid of heights and could coordinate proposal photography at THE EDGE Observation Deck in Hudson Yards. With our experience coordinating logistics and working with venues, planning this proposal was no different than capturing a proposal on the ground. Coordinating with the Staff at the Edge to plan the perfect “sky-high” secret proposal session was effortless. They were as excited about this secret marriage proposal as I was to capture it.

ON ONE KNEE 1000+ FEET UP

On the day of John’s proposal, I was waiting at the top of The EDGE at least 30 minutes before their arrival. Once they arrived on the deck, I followed behind them covertly with cameras in hand. I was ready to photograph the proposal the second John got down on one knee.

And then, it happened.

She said Yes! (How could you not?!)

After the moment I approached John and Maylen, we took the time to photograph a mini-engagement with all of New York City as a background.

Congrats you two!

Photographer: Trent Campbell

Nihar & Rhea — A Historic Proposal at The Met Cloisters, NYC

The Cloisters: Love and History in New York City

The MET Cloisters prohibits professional photographers - posed photo sessions! Professional photographers are NOT allowed here anymore. This session is from 2021. We now photograph at Fort Tryon Park (Example here) down the street and elsewhere through New York City (Checkout some of our favorite NYC proposal locations linked here!)

There’s something deeply romantic about being surrounded by history, architecture, and lush gardens—all in one place. For Nihar and Rhea, the Met Cloisters provided just that setting. He planned a full romantic day, but the highlight was the surprise proposal among the Cloisters’ gardens—stone pathways, ancient walls, and blooming greenery giving every moment a timeless feel.

A HISTORICAL BACKDROP TO A HISTORICAL MOMENT

Nihar reached out to me the weeks before he wanted to propose. He had the perfect plan in mind for a full romantic day, the pinnacle of which would be his proposal to his girlfriend Rhea with the MET Cloisters serving as a historical backdrop. With the MET Cloisters currently operating on a reservation-only basis, Nihar and I had to plan everything in advance, making sure that I would be there to capture the moment when Nihar dropped to one knee in the beautiful Cloisters Gardens.

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT TO photograph THE PERFECT secret marriage proposal SHOT:

I arrived at The Cloisters about 30 minutes before I knew Nihar and Rhea would arrive, scoped out the point in the Gardens that would make a great backdrop for Nihar to drop on one knee.
Through text, I communicated to Nihar that I was in position and waited in plain sight posing a tourist for the two of them to round the corner.
As they did Nihar passed, he recognized me and when the time was right, he popped the question!

Rhea said Yes!

After giving the couple some time to take in the moment, we took some more photographs in the Gardens before going outside to use the Clositers’ beautiful stone exterior as a background.
After mini-photo engagement sessions, I left Nihar and Rhea to go on and enjoy their special day. Later sending them some photos just of the moment shortly after.

Congratulations Nihar and Rhea!

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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

Doug and Mackenzie - Christopher Street Pier Proposal (Manhattan, NY)

Planning a Manhattan Proposal in New York's Unpredictable Winter Weather.

Sometimes, even in the face of disaster, everything just comes together and works out. Such was the case with Doug’s plans to propose to his girlfriend Mackenzie last week.

Doug reached out a few weeks before “taking a knee” looking to hire a proposal photographer to photograph his NYC proposal.

He had already set things in motion: unbeknownst to Mackenzie, her best friends would be in town the day of to surprise her, Doug and I had picked her favorite view of the city skyline (Christopher Street Pier on the West side of New York City). Doug had ordered food from her favorite restaurant, which his brother would pick up while we were out, and make sure both the friends and food were waiting at their midtown apartment when they returned! With every detail thought out All that was left to do was… propose!

However, New York weather had other plans.

Cloudy with a chance of a Ring - Planning a proposal no matter the weather.

As the date got closer and closer ,so did the torrential rain headed to NYC, which might ruin this perfectly planned Manhattan proposal.

Doug and I watched the weather, I helped him develop Plan As, Bs, and Cs…we consulted different locations that might be better if the weather turned sour: A Grand Central Station Proposal, A High Line Proposal, A Washington Square Park Proposal. Anything that would stand out as a beautiful and meaningful New York City proposal spot that Mackenzie would remember forever.

Finally, the day came and with some stroke of luck or love, the skies cleared just in time for us to move forward with our original plan of a sunset proposal at Christopher Street Pier.

Mackenzie said “yes!”.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside…but not too cold for a Mini-Engagement Session.

Although the temperature was rather cold as the sunset, I had arrived early and scouted a few spots on the edge of the Pier for us to quickly take some posed photos with the Freedom Tower and downtown New York skyline as the backdrop. Within 15 minutes, Doug and Mackenzie were off to celebrate their engagement with friends and food.

Congrats Doug and Mackenzie!

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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

Mike planned a secret proposal for Amanda at Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City. He chose this location because of its strong skyline views, waterfront piers, and more privacy compared to many Midtown spots.

Together, Mike and I scouted the area in advance and tracked weather. He planned the proposal while balancing work and commuting, arranging all the logistics beforehand. The day of, I arrived early to pick vantage points and confirm lighting and framing.

As Mike and Amanda approached one of the piers, I asked a few nearby people to step aside so the view would be clean. Mike proposed out by the pier with skyline and water in the frame. After the proposal, we moved through nearby locations for mini engagement portraits—changing angles, removing or adding jacket layers, capturing expressions, and using the Long Island sign in the background (a meaningful detail for them).

Why Gantry Plaza Works Well for a Proposal

• Clear skyline views (Midtown, bridges, waterfront) make photos instantly recognisable.

• The waterfront provides reflective surfaces that add depth and variety to images.

• Gantry has piers and open walkways that allow multiple composition options (wide shots, close-ups).

• Better privacy than many Manhattan locations, especially during off-peak times.

• Meaningful details (like the Long Island sign) can be integrated into the photos if relevant to the couple.

Tips for Planning a Gantry Plaza Surprise Proposal

• Scout ahead of time: identify the pier or vantage point, test light, check if skyline is visible from that spot.

• Arrive early so you can set up quietly and manage crowd flow.

• Plan backup options in case weather or lighting change (cloud cover, glare, etc.).

• Use layers: jackets, accessories—these help change looks for portraits post-proposal.

• Work with a photographer who knows Gantry Plaza: familiarity with angles, light reflecting off water, how to avoid unwanted background clutter is helpful.

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