Max and Abby's Central Park New York City Proposal

New York City is the perfect getaway no matter where you are from. Even native New Yorkers living outside of the city limits (Long Island, Westchester or the Hudson Valley) will plan staycations in NYC. So, it’s no wonder why people travel from far and wide to visit New York City for just a weekend, and there’s no better time to visit New York than in early fall.

For Max and Abby, of Miami Florida, this was the perfect weekend to visit NYC. The leaves were mid-foliage and the temperature had yet to drop. This weekend’s getaway trip was going to be a memorable one.

Propose first thing in morning so you can enjoy the day!

We love photographing surprise proposals all throughout New York City, and getting to meet new people over and over again. Max and Abby’s proposal was emotional, passionate, and surely genuine. As I photographed their moment, I quickly looked around to see a crowd cheering, and even some women wiping back tears. Photographing proposals in NYC is such a rush.

When helping Max plan his proposal I suggested proposing first thing in the morning for the following reasons:

• You won’t be nervous all day leading up to the moment!

• The morning light makes for great photos!

• You’ll have the whole day to celebrate.

Where to propose in central park?

As a proposal photographer, I’ve photographed countless moments all throughout New York. I always recommend picking a place that offers the following:

• Intimate and private setting - Find somewhere off the beaten path. Even in New York City, it’s possible! (Ladies Pavilion, Just after the Bow Bridge, or by the Gapstow Bridge)

• Somewhere with meaning - For some couples, the routine and normalcy of a typical Sunday morning is what they’re looking for because it has meaning. Last week, we photographed a proposal in Central Park at a couple’s usual Sunday morning bench where they drink coffee and play with their dog.

• Go for a view! - The Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, Long Island City Gantry Plaza, The Edge in Hudson Yards, and Williamsburg, all offer amazing views of the city, which make a perfect backdrop to your proposal.

Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of New York City photographers specializing in photographing private NYC proposals, as well as engagement sessions and weddings.

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Devin and Lindsay's Central Park Gapstow Bridge Proposal

Proposing to your partner in New York City’s Central Park can feel like something out of a movie. Whether your proposing in a secluded area or in the wide open, with a single conic building in the background or with all of the midtown Manhattan as your backdrop the moment is surreal. For Devin and Lindsay’s proposal, Devin chose the Gapstow Bridge in the southern part of Central Park.

I helped Devin decide where around the Gapstow Bridge to propose based upon a few concerns. We didn’t want other people in the photos, he wanted some privacy, and he wanted to capture the bridge in our photos. So, we decided the best spot to capture the Gapstow Bridge and to give them some privacy was just below the bridge. Here we I photographed the foliage, the bridge, and most importantly their intimate moment. Post proposal, we were able to wonder around for additional photos without having to walk all that far.

How do you propose to your partner in New York City? How do you even get them to wear something nice?

“Date night in New York City” is how Devin convinced his girlfriend, Lindsay, to wear something nice and how /when he was going to propose. However, the next part was the real challenge. He wanted to propose at the Gapstow Bridge in the southern part of Central Park. How was he going to convince her to walk into Central Park wearing heels? As we discussed his proposal plans, I recommended that Devin arrive super early for their dinner reservation, which was across from the park. Then, as a way to kill time, go on a quick walk through the park. Mission accomplished!

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

Photographing a Proposal in Central Park's Shakespeare Garden

As I reflect back on Capturing Thomas’s proposal in Central Park’s Shakespeare Garden 4 years later, I recognize this was a first for the Jonathan Heisler Photography team. Shakespeare Garden (location here) is a four-acre landscape designed to feel like an English countryside garden, with winding pathways, blooming flowers, rustic benches, and charming wooden fences. This hidden spot is just off of the main loop near the 79th street Central Park West entrance. However, it’s beautiful with all of the woodworking, well manicured gardens, and a quiet setting. For some reason the Shakespeare Garden is not well traffic.

Why Choose Shakespeare Garden for Your Proposal?

Making Your NYC Proposal Unforgettable

Every proposal in Central Park tells its own love story, but Shakespeare Garden is one of the more unique and private backdrops for popping the question. Its mix of natural beauty, seclusion, and ease of access makes it ideal for couples who want a personal and romantic moment in the heart of New York City.

If you’re planning to propose in Central Park, consider the charm of Shakespeare Garden. As your New York City proposal photographer, I’ll help you plan the details, choose the best location, and ensure every moment is captured beautifully.

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

Photographing Anthony's Brooklyn Bridge Proposal

“Iconic” is the word we use to describe proposing on the Brooklyn Bridge. When Anthony reached out for helping planning his mid-October secret morning proposal we knew his morning proposal was going to be beautiful. Proposing to that special someone on the Brooklyn Bridge, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn, with the NYC Skyline behind you is so romantic. It captures New York City so well.

Whether you are visiting New York or are a native, this proposal location is just breath taking. It’s one of the best places to propose in New York City. The photos we can capture on the Brooklyn Bridge and then in DUMBO go well beyond just photographing the proposal moment.

Proposing on the Brooklyn Bridge in the morning with the New York City skyline behind you is one of my favorite places to photograph a secret marriage proposal. Here’s why:

• The city is not busy in the morning! You’ll have unobstructed views on the Brooklyn Bridge without people staring or walking in to your photos. It’s way more intimate.

• New York City Skyline and an icon - In all of your photos you’ll have the NYC Skyline behind you and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

• Light is amazing. We can capture even, soft, and warm lighting.

• Celebrate Away! - The early bird catches the worm. You’ll have the whole day to celebrate.

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

Photographing Emma and Thomas’s Secret Twilight Proposal around Central Park’s Ladies Pavilion

Photographing Emma and Thomas’s marriage proposal was one of the most perfectly timed proposals I’ve photographed in awhile. The couple had been dating for 7 years, and although Emma was expecting Thomas to propose, she had no clue Thomas was going to propose tonight.

Thomas couldn’t have chosen a more perfect evening to pop the big question, as this late October evening felt more like an early September day. I’m so glad I was chosen as their proposal photographer to document their moment in Central Park. Both of their reactions were so genuine, and their connection with one another so apparent.

Proposing in Central Park, NYC at the Ladies Pavilion

The best place to propose at sunset is Ladies Pavilion on Central Park’s West Side. Here you’ll take a short trip in and out of the park from Manhattan’s West Side, you’ll have bits of the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop to your moment, and water from the boat lake surrounding you.

Tips about working with a Proposal Photographer at Dusk

For tonight’s proposal I was chasing daylight from start to finish. Luckily, Thomas arrived right on time (No what, matter we always come prepared with a small flash). On tonight’s secret proposal, I still had some daylight to work with as the couple approached and I did not need to use flash, so the element of surprise remained. Once Thomas got down on one knee and popped the question I used my flash to light the moment. Later, for our mini-engagement session with the posed photos I used flash.

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

John's and Mary's Lincoln Center Proposal | Secret NYC Proposal Photographer

John and Mary's Lincoln Center Proposal was a quintessential New York City proposal. When you combine a great couple and an iconic venue, you’re going to capture amazing photos. It’s a recipe for success. Photographing moments like this is why I love photographing in NYC.

How we planned to photograph John’s Lincoln Center Marriage Proposal

John reached out several weeks before his proposal with a plan. He planned to take Mary to see a show at Lincoln Center, on Manhattan’s West Side. Then, on the way to the entrance of Lincoln Center, he’d stop in front of the fountains and ask her to marry him. Next, like all proposals we photograph, the second biggest question at hand remained, “What if it rains?”.

The weather looked good all week, and then the morning of John’s proposal, rain entered the forecast. However, the forecast did not just call for rain throughout the day or just in the evening. The rain was scheduled for precisely 1 hour before and 1 hour after John’s proposal, with the chance of light rain during.

What if it rains during my marriage proposal?

We planned to proceed anyway, and if it was raining, they’d either walk with an umbrella or John would propose under the building’s overhang, safe from the rain. In the end, the rain stopped for a perfect 30 minutes. Enough time for John to propose to Mary, and for us to capture several post-proposal, amazingly beautiful, posed photos of New York City’s newest engaged couple.

Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of New York City photographers specializing in photographing private NYC proposals, as well as engagement session and weddings.

learn more about hiring a proposal photographer