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

Oyster Bay Family Photos - Sagamore Hill

Long Island Family Photographer is the best job!

I spent the last weekend of fall foliage photographing Maureen, John, and (little) John at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, NY. Our family session started off slow, as 2 year old John had just woken up from his nap. When photographing family sessions, I always start off nice slow and with no complicated poses. My goal is to get your family comfortable being photographed. So, at the start of our family session I capture a lot of candid moments (not posed photos); everyone walking, playing, talking, and being yourself. And then, throughout the session, I add suggestions and posing ideas.

Finding a place to photograph a family on Long Island can be a challenge. Many places charge photographers. They require photographers to buy costly single use permits. Oyster Bay's Sagamore Hill does not.

Long Island has countless parks, waterfront views, walking paths, and scenery. However, like much of Long Island, many places are often crowded and busy. Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay is a true gem because of its open spaces, natural meadows, and slightly out of the way location. These characteristics make it a great place to photograph a family.

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.

learn more about hiring a proposal photographer

NYC Doctor Headshot - Montefiore Medical Center

Recent headshot photography work for Montefiore Medical Center in South Bronx, NY. The above photos were photographed for a piece highlighting the researcher and her work on stem cells at Albert Einstein Medical College. When hired to photograph headshot photos I was instructed to photograph both portrait and landscape photos, as well as leave room for text or graphics.

Client: Montefiore Medical Center

Photographed on location at the Hutchinson Metro Center with the New York City skyline in the background.

NYC Doctor Headshot - Montefiore Medical Center

Recent headshot work for Montefiore Medical Center in the South Bronx, NY. The above photos were photographed for a piece highlighting the above Oncology doctor’s research and his time spent as a professor at Albert Einstein Medical College. When hired to photograph his headshot I was instructed to photograph both portrait and landscape photos, as well as leave room for text or graphics.

Client: Montefiore Medical Center

Photographed on location at the Hutchinson Metro Center with the New York City skyline in the background.

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!