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!

Photographer: Trent Campbell

learn more about hiring a proposal photographer

Washington Square Park Proposal | Joel and Alexa

Secrets Marriage Proposals are in-fact a secret.

Photographing Joel and Alexa's proposal at a private wine bar overlooking Washington Square Park was a once in a lifetime experience. It was definitely a moment I will not forget as a photographer. Alexa did not a expect a thing as they entered the bar and as Joel proposed. It really was a true surprise proposal.

Washington Square Park Engagement Session

To be the first to wish a newly engaged couple a congratulations is always an honor. So is photographing the couple’s first photos as a newly engaged couple. Post proposal I always offer my clients a “mini-engagement session”. Because we were right along Washington Square Park and the weather was a 10 out of 10 we used the park for their engagement photos.

Matt’s Hudson Yards Vessel Proposal

Congrats, Matt and Abigail!

This was my first time visiting New York City’s newest neighborhood, Hudson Yards and seeing the Vessel. So, it was certainly my first time photographing a proposal at the Vessel. Matt and I scoped out the area a few weeks prior, just as the area opened to the public, which was super cool! We discussed where he’d enter, how he was going to propose, and why they were going all the way to the West Side.

Proposing in Hudson Yards at the Vessel, a first.

I arrived an hour early and checked out the area. I texted Matt a few photos of the current scene and to assure him I was in position.

Matt and Abigail arrived, and Matt asked a passerby for a photo, but no one agreed to take a photo (CRAZY!?!?). Matt slowly started to tell Abigail about their first date, why he cared about her, and what she meant to him. Then, he got down on one knee. A crowed gathered and cheered!

Hudson Yards proposal photographer, i’ll add that to my resume

The big moment was a success. Once emotions settled, I spent some time with the couple photographing them with the Vessel in the background. Then, we walked right on to the High Line, which runs by Hudson Yards, for additional photos to provide several different looks/styles to their photos.

Kiro + Rebecca Washington Square Park Proposal

Kiro reached out to me in late March with his plan to propose to Rebecca in June. “There’s going to be a sketch artist, and rose petals, and a pianist… and it’ll be in Washington Square Park.. and while her friend gets her to sit down for a sketch, I’ll be setting up the proposal scene behind them.”

Helping you plan your NYC proposal and Photographing it

It was a vision alright, and it sounded like a dream, a dream I suggested Kiro simplify. “How are you going to ensure she sits for the sketch artist?” I asked. And he agreed with me. Most New Yorkers would not sit down for a sketch artist. That’s a NYC tourist thing. But, Kiro was adamant about his vision and he ensured me Rebecca’s friend would make it happen.

The day arrived. As Rebecca and her friend entered Washington Square Park, “on their way to a friend’s birthday party”, a sketch artist offered a free sketch session. After some convincing, Rebecca and her friend sat down. Rebecca thought the artist was sketching the two of them. Instead, she was finishing a pre-made sketch of Kiro proposing to Rebecca. The artist just needed a final look of Rebecca to complete the photo.

As a photographer this washington square park proposal is one of the most memorable nyc proposals I have photographed

Behind Rebecca was Kiro, friends, and family laying out a rose filled walkway lined with photos and candles. The crowds started to gather. After 10 minutes, the sketch artist revealed her sketch to Rebecca. She was confused until she turned around. She was in shock.

Rebecca slowly walked down the rose petal walkway picking up and reading the notes Kiro had written. The pianist played, the crowed snapped photos and cheered. Rebecca met Kiro just at the fountains edge. He asked the big question.

Vendors:

Videography: ProperPix

Pianist: Mikhail Romanov

Matt + Erica Gantry Plaza Proposal

Congrats Matt and Erica! About a month ago, Matt and I started planning how and where he’d propose. Since Matt and Erica live in Long Island City, near Gantry Plaza State Park, Gantry Plaza with its awesome views of the New York City skyline only made sense.

Photographing a Long Island City Proposal makes me love NYC that much more. It is quintessential New York

Together, Matt and I, scouted the area, sent texts and emails with screenshots of the area, watched the weather, created a Plan A and a Plan B, and decided on a post proposal restaurant for a brunch.

The morning of Matt’s proposal the weather was “iffy” with rain in forecast. I arrived to Gantry Plaza a whole 90 minutes early to send Matt final photos of our Plan A location. I also sent a Plan B location which was under an awning. Finally, with 40 minutes to go and the rain drops subsiding we said “Plan A is a go!”. The skies cleared.

As I saw Matt and Erica approach I cleared the pier. It was a HUGE surprise for Erica.

capturing a mini-engagement session provides variety in the images i can deliver (posed and candid photos)

We took full advantage of the Spring flowers on our post proposal shoot.

Bryan and Nicole Central Park Proposal

Proposing in NYC is iconic.

Rain, Rain, Go away… and maybe come back another day? For two weeks, Bryan and I planned how he was going to propose and where. We decided on Central Park just past the Bow Bridge at around 12:30pm. And then, 3 days before the big day the weather headed South with rain in the forecast. I made several suggestions for a plan B location (Grand Central, Holiday Shops, The Oculus). However, we stayed positive and we kept watching the weather hoping for the best. Our concern was “would Nicole go on a walk through the park if it was raining?”. Creating a story and convincing her to go is always a challenge.

photographing their proposal reminded me of why i love new york city.

In the end it all worked out! The rain ended earlier in the morning and Nicole agreed to go on walk throughout the park with Bryan.

Just a few minutes before Bryan and Nicole arrived, I politely asked several lingering tourist if they could move. “A couple is about to arrive and he’s going to propose. Do you mind moving to the side?” I politely asked.

Bryan and Nicole arrived. As tourists made their way around the couple, Bryan went down on one knee and Nicole gasped!

After the big moment everyone took it all in. There was crying and there was laughter.

After a capturing the big moment. I introduced myself. We took several posed photos, a few close ups of Nicole’s new ring, and then we went for a walk throughout Central Park. Bryan and I had chosen a few locations for more photos (the Ramble, Reservoir…). It was great!

Congrats Bryan and Nicole!