Secret marriage proposal

Justin's Private SoHo Rooftop Proposal

As a professional NYC Proposal Photographer, I am often asked to photograph secret marriage proposals in some of New York City's most iconic spots; Central Park, Grand Central, The Edge at Hudson Yards. However, every here or there I am asked to photograph a truly unique proposal, a rooftop proposal. On tonight's proposal, Justin proposed on the penthouse deck of the Soho Grand Hotel.

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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Hampton and Anne-Marie's NYC Brooklyn Rooftop Proposal

It’s no surprise New York is one of the top destinations to propose. Couples travel thousands of miles to make their special moment that much more special. From the iconic Brooklyn Bridge to the peaceful serenity of Central Park to the dazzling lights of Times Square, New York City is truly the most romantic city in the world. It makes our job as NYC Proposal Photographers amazing and easy.

A private nyc rooftop proposal, Amazing.

To date, we’ve photographed hundreds of proposals all throughout New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey. However, one of our favorite types of proposals to photograph is a rooftop proposal. For Hampton, there was no better location to propose than the rooftop of his Williamsburg, Brooklyn apartment terrace with its unobstructed views of all of Manhattan.

How to pick where to propose in NYC?

I always recommend the best place to propose as the one with meaning and significance. For Hampton, besides his awesome view of NYC, his apartment was where the two of them spend the most time together. It’s where they unwind after a long day of work, it’s where they make dinner together, and it’s where they shared their first apartment together.

Secret proposal Photographer, 007.

As a secret proposal photographer, I often don’t actually have to hide. In New York City, every resident and every tourist walks around with a camera. I’m just another guy. However, for a rooftop proposal the element of surprise can be hard, but there are exceptions. Often, I use this cover, “I’m with the building’s marketing team photographing the view. Just ignore me” or I just hide behind furniture.

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT HIRING A PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHER IN NYC

Lyndon's Central Park NYC Proposal

Congrats to New York City’s newest engaged couple, Lyndon and Alissa!

Planning to propose in New York City? Where in NYC is the best place to propose?

When discussing where Lyndon was going to propose, I showed Lyndon some of my favorite locations in Manhattan. Instantly, Lyndon knew he wanted to propose in Central Park. However, he wasn’t sure where in the park would be best. I suggested the area just after Central Park's Bow Bridge near the iconic Bethesda Fountain, as seen in the above photos.

As a Central Park Proposal Photographer I know where and when iT Is best to propose!

No matter the time of the day, month, or year, Central Park offers a timeless backdrop for proposal or engagement photography. During Winter, a couple can stand in the middle of a quiet Bow Bridge looking over an elegant sheet of ice covering The Lake. In the summer, Central Park offers an escape from the concrete jungle with its shaded walking paths and deep green foliage creating amazing dramatic lighting. Central Park’s different moods, views, and looks all offer an amazing backdrop for your marriage proposal photos.

Setting the mood - Hiring a musician for your proposal

Lyndon really knocked it out of the park by also hiring a guitarist to learn and then play Alissa’s favorite song. Grant, the guitarist, played as the couple walked towards the cove to checkout the view. Lyndon hugged Alissa and then dropped down to one knee.

Guitarist: Grant Swift

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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

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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 and Rhea - The Cloisters NYC Proposal

The Cloisters: Love and History in New York City

Many times my job as a New York proposal photographer is to help the guy or the girl pick select a spot to propose to their loved one. For a New York City proposal, we’ll often pick a quiet spot in the park or a breathtaking view of the skyline. When Nihar came to me to book a secret proposal photographer he had something quite different and special in mind.

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!