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McAfee's Knob Full Moon - Sunrise Hike

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Hiking McAfee Knob on the Appalachian Trail near Roanoke, Virginia at sunrise is a bucket list item for any hiker or adventure seeker. Hiking “the knob” is an easy accomplishment for any solo hiker or a family with little kids as it’s only 3.5 miles each way and 7 miles round trip along a fire road or trail.

a guide to Hiking mcAfee’s knob at sunrise

For a sunrise hike in May, you’ll have to be at the parking lot no later than 3:45am. So, bring a headlight and a thermos of your favorite coffee. The hike although not strenuous for most takes 4+ hours, so prepare to bring a bottle of water, a small snack, and sturdy hiking boots as the trail can be muddy. Alight top to keep you warm upon summiting (even in the summer) is recommended. The knob with its sweeping views is exposed to the elements and always has a breeze.

is mcafee’s knob a hard hike?

The hike to Mcafee Knob is a slow and steady uphill hike up Catawba Mountain. The trail, is a part of the larger Appalachian Trail, which is wide and well groomed with easy to denote markers. The only exception is when you reach the top.

some of roanoke virginia’s best hikes are 1/2 day hikes

When you reach the top of Catawba Mountain you can easily go past the iconic McAfee Knob rock overlook. The overlook’s sweeping panoramic views of the Catawba valley beneath you are not to be missed. Make sure you look for trail signs and breaks in the brush, which will lead you to McAfee’s knob overlook. It’s very easy to continue on the Appalachian Trail and not walk the extra 50 feet to the overlook.

hiking mcafee’s knob 1-2-3 information

Quick information about hiking McAfee’s Knob in any season:

  • Bring a water bottle

  • The hike takes about 3.5-4 hours of moving time round trip.

  • Total distance is about 7.2 miles

  • Go early! - The parking lot at the top of 311 in Catawba fills up quick and parking signs are strictly enforced.

Joshua & Alyssa FIDI NYC EMS Proposal

“9-1-1, What is your emergency?” I need a NYC Proposal Photographer ASAP!

When two first responders come to New York City for the very first time. Their experience can be described as larger than life. For Josh, knowing he was going to propose to Alyssa and not being sure when put the pressure on. As a first responder he assured me he’d keep cool.

where to propose in nyc?

I told Joshua about all of the typical spots (Central Park, Grand Central, Battery Park), but he assured me those proposal locations were not true to him. After learning about Joshua and Alyssa’s career as first responders Josh asked about Downtown Manhattan.

The Perfect Place to Propose in New York - Ladies Pavilion Central Park, NYC

New York’s Central Park, A beautiful location to propose in any season: Part II

This past February, I wrote about photographing a secret proposal in Central Park at Cleopatra’s Needle in the dead of NYC winter. A few days ago as I photographed another marriage proposal at Ladies Pavillon with peak spring bloom all around, I couldn’t help but think about how great of a location Central Park is for a secret proposal photo session.

A Photographers Playground: Proposal Photos Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

No matter the time of day, month, or year, Central Park offers a timeless backdrop for proposal or engagement photography. During Winter, a couple may stand in the middle of a quiet Bow Bridge looking over an elegant sheet of ice covering The Lake, small snow flakes fall around them.

In Spring, they’ll walk through Cherry Hill surrounded with pink and white pastel tones of the Cherry Trees in bloom. On a Summer Eve, They’ll sit in Denne Summerhouse watching the sunset while listening to the Crickets start to signal dusk. Fall, they’ll perch atop of Cat Rock looking over the autumn foliage that fills the park, NYC Skyline peaking through in the distance.


Central Park has hundred of iconic spots like this, each with its own hidden beauty and special meaning for couples that may choose it as the place to signify starting a new life together.

Having an NYC secret proposal photographer hidden nearby to discretely capture this special moment is nearly priceless.

Central Park in Spring = A Sign of Life and New Beginnings

A few days ago I watched Rohan and his fiancée-to-be Nikita enter Ladies Pavilion and Rohan drop to one knee with the cheery blossoms behind them I was reminded why Central Park really is the perfect place to propose and how grateful I am to be a proposal photographer in NYC.

Nikita of course said yes!

It felt only fitting that the two of them start their next cycle of life together as nature starts its own.

Congratulations Nikita and Rohan here is too many more cycles and Springs together.


Make sure photos are captured of your Special Moment

Whether you need a secret proposal photographer in NYC, an engagement session photographer on Long Island, or anything in between, Jonathan Heisler Photography can help plan your moment.

Photographer: Trent Campbell

learn more about hiring a proposal photographer

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Escatawba Farms Fly Fishing

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A great day trip fly fishing has to be at Virginia's best fly fishing stream, Escatawba Farms located just outside of Roanoke, Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Escatawba has streams stocked with trout and other fish species, which will test anglers of all skill levels.

Virginia’s Best Fly Fishing is in Roanoke, VA

Whether you’re a beginner going out with a guide or a skilled fishermen with many lores under your belt, Escatawba has something to offer everyone.

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Leah's Long Island Bat Mitzvah

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A Pandemic Won’t Stop this Bat Mitzvah!

Last week I photographed Leah’s Bat Mitzvah in Bethpage, NY. Her Long Island Bat Mitzvah was different than her cousins, friends, and what she had envisioned thanks to the pandemic. So, Leah and her parents did everything they could to still recognize the important moment and meaning of the day.

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While the synagogue was not packed, Leah still had family and a few friends in attendance to celebrate her becoming a bat mitzvah woman, and even some attendees made the event via Zoom!

Capturing a New York Bat Mitzvah

Spring on Long Island, NY means unpredictable rain and while the days leading up to Leah’s Bat Mitzvah were looking good, the day of her Bat Mitzvah was a different story. While torrential rain outside meant we couldn’t do family photos in the Bethpage park before the ceremony as planned, I was able to pivot and set up a nice spot in the synagogue. Inside the synagogue, I setup a mini studio with my lights for family photos and photos of Leah.

A Professional Bat Mitzvah Photographer knows what to do

For Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s to-be, the ceremony itself can be a little nerve-racking and the last distraction you need while reading Torah is a loud photographer. Knowing this, I set my camera to “silent shutter” mode and quietly photographed from the back of the synagogue, while still capturing all the important moments! I was conscious not to block the view of guest both physically attending and virtually attending.

After the ceremony was Leah was officially a Bat Mitzvah! And as if to celebrate the occasion, the skies briefly opened up long enough for me to take some nice portraits of her outside with a green nature backdrop.

Afterward, Leah and her family and friends were off to celebrate this great accomplishment!

Congrats Leah!

Photographer: Trent Campbell

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY!

Sachet and Lina's Lincoln Center Proposal

Finding the Perfect Proposal Spot During COVID-19 - It’s complicated.

Even with restrictions in New York City slowly easing up, it can still be difficult to find a great location to propose. With this in mind, both Jonathan and I work personally with every one of our clients to find the perfect location to propose and have the moment photographed by a professional secret proposal photographer. Being New York City proposal photographers, we have extensive knowledge of all areas of NYC, and can help you find / think about a spot that is meaningful. Photographing the moment is a lot of fun, but so too is planning the moment.

A True Lincoln Center Performance


A few weeks ago we helped Sachet plan his surprise proposal to his long-time girlfriend Lina. After looking into various locations, we found most had limitations due to COVID. We decided Lincoln Center would serve as the perfect backdrop for their surprise proposal and for their post-proposal photos. Sachet and I planned for a near sunset proposal in the square with the iconic Lincoln Center Theater in the background.

The day came, Sachet rocked it. Lina said yes!

No matter the place or time, in midtown New York City or beachside on Long Island, we guarantee the same professionalism, results, and helping hand in planning your secret marriage proposal. We always:

  • Help you a chose a location and time convenient for the both of you.

  • Arriving at least 30 minutes before the proposal.

  • Capture our proposal discretely

  • A mini-engagement session after the moment

  • Deliver 5-7 quickly edited photos after the proposal for you to share with the world!

  • Remainder of the photo complimentary retouched and delivered by email just days after


Jonathan Heisler is a New York City photographer who specializes in photographing private proposals, as well as engagement session and weddings.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HIRING A LONG ISLAND PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Photographer: Trent Campbell