A January Morning Proposal with Winter Sun at Pier 45

January mornings along the Hudson can feel unexpectedly warm when the sun is out. The light sits low, casting a soft yellow tone across the river and the skyline beyond. With the snow still on the ground, the contrast between winter and sunlight creates a look that feels clean and calm rather than cold.

Erik chose Pier 45 for his proposal, drawn to its open space and clear view toward Lower Manhattan. With One World Trade Center rising in the background, the setting felt unmistakably New York while still offering room for a quiet moment.

Planning and Capturing the Moment

The proposal took place in the morning, when the winter sun adds warmth without harsh shadows. Pier 45’s wide layout kept the scene open and uncluttered, allowing the skyline to stay present without overpowering the moment.

A few elements defined the feel of the proposal:

  • Low January sun, creating soft yellow winter light

  • Snow still on the ground, adding seasonal texture

  • Pier 45’s open waterfront, keeping the moment calm and unhurried

  • One World Trade Center in the background, anchoring the scene in Lower Manhattan

As Erik got down on one knee, the river and skyline framed the moment naturally, with the light doing most of the work.

After the proposal, we moved into the West Village for staged portraits. Walking through the streets allowed the session to stay relaxed and natural, capturing movement rather than posed moments. We photographed along the sidewalks and paused on classic brownstone stoops, using the steps and railings to create intimate, everyday-feeling images that contrasted nicely with the open waterfront.

Why Pier 45 and the West Village Work in Winter

Pier 45 offers clean sightlines and open space, which works especially well in winter when the light stays lower and the crowds thin out. Pairing the proposal with portraits in the West Village adds texture and warmth — narrow streets, historic buildings, and familiar neighborhood details.

For couples looking for a winter proposal that feels bright, relaxed, and grounded in the city, this combination is a strong choice.

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

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Including Your Dog in Your Proposal: A Thoughtful Look at the Pros and Cons

Your dog isn’t just part of the house like a lamp or the fridge — they’re part of your relationship (call it a “thruple”). They are there on all of your walks, quiet evenings on the couch, and everything in between. So it’s no surprise that more people are choosing to include their dog in one of the biggest moments of their lives: the proposal.

Over the years, we’ve photographed proposals where dogs played a central role — sometimes wearing bandanas with messages like “Marry Me?” or “Mom and Dad Got Engaged,” and other times simply showing up as themselves. Your pup adds a layer of personality that makes your proposal even more unique.

Why Couples Choose to Include Their Dog

When a dog is part of a proposal, the moment often feels instantly familiar and grounded. It reflects real life — not a staged version of it. They too are jumping around for joy, and not quite sure what is going on. Some of the reasons to include your dog:

  • The dog is already part of your daily routine, making the proposal feel natural - “Let’s take Sparky for a walk in Central Park, it’s such a nice day and meet friends”.

  • Dogs add genuine, unscripted reactions that can’t be planned.

  • The photos feel personal in a way that’s hard to replicate.

In many cases, your dog acts as a bridge — something familiar that gently guides the moment into something unexpected. When the timing and environment are right, it can turn a proposal into something that feels uniquely yours.

The Practical Challenges to Consider

As meaningful as it can be, including a dog also adds an element you can’t fully control — and that’s not always a bad thing, but it’s important to be realistic.

Some considerations to keep in mind:

  • Dogs don’t follow scripts — excitement, distraction, or nerves can shift the moment

  • Busy or unfamiliar environments can overwhelm some pets

  • A dog may require another person nearby to help manage leashes or attention - We can hold your pup and photograph! Don’t worry about it. WE LOVE DOGS!!!!

The key is understanding your dog’s personality. A calm, people-friendly dog in a familiar setting is very different from a high-energy dog in a crowded location. When these pieces are in place, the dog becomes part of the story rather than the focus of it.

A Personal Choice, Not a Requirement

Including a dog in a proposal isn’t about doing something trendy — it’s about reflecting the life you share. For some couples, it adds warmth and authenticity. For others, keeping the moment between two people feels more honest. Both choices are valid.

The most memorable proposals aren’t defined by who’s there or what’s included, but by how true the moment feels to the couple experiencing it.

This proposal is a good example of how including a dog can feel natural and personal.

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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Corporate Headshots in Manhattan: Mobile Headshot Station at a Team Offsite

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When companies bring their teams together for an offsite meeting, it’s the perfect opportunity to gift everyone an updated professional headshot for both their individual LinkedIn profile and for the company bio page. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph 40 team members during their company offsite in New York City at the Crosby Street Hotel. The assignment came together within 24 hours of the session.

I worked quickly to secure a location that could hold 40 people with a space that was conducive for portraits. Being a NYC photographer, I’m very efficient and proficient in building a mobile headshot - portrait studio. For established fortune 500 companies and startups alike, consistent and professional corporate headshots are essential.

Bringing a Mobile Headshot Studio to Manhattan

Instead of sending employees across New York City to a photographers studio, I bring my studio directly to my clients. Inside this meeting venue, I set up a complete mobile professional headshot station, including:

  • Studio lighting designed for clean, natural results

  • Seamless backdrop options aligned with their brand / vision

  • Tethered shooting from my camera to a big screen monitor for real-time review

  • A streamlined workflow to photograph 40 individuals efficiently

  • Professionalism and friendliness to make everyone comfortable

My setup requires minimal space and is ready to go within 20-30min — ideal for me to come to you, and for when time is limited, and space is limited.

Professional Headshot Photographer in New York City

As a New York City corporate headshot photographer, I specialize in on-location photography for companies hosting:

  • Corporate offsites

  • Leadership summits

  • Team retreats

  • In office events

  • Conferences

  • Updating their About Us page

Whether photographing a single individual, 10 executives or 100+ employees, the process is structured, efficient, and designed to reflect your company’s professionalism and brand ethos.

How We Approach Every Corporate Event: From Panels to Galas

Corporate events come in all shapes and sizes — from focused panel discussions to elegant galas, fast-paced networking mixers to carefully branded step-and-repeat moments. But no matter the format, our approach remains rooted in the same set of principles we’ve refined over years of photographing New York’s most dynamic professional experiences: presence, storytelling, and intentional coverage that reflects both the energy of the moment and the goals behind the event.

Below, we break down how we work with four common corporate event formats, what we focus on at each, and why these approaches help organizations make the most of their visual storytelling.

Panel Discussions

Panel discussions are equal parts information and interaction — framed by speakers, enriched by audience engagement, and defined by transitions from wide scene-setting shots to the small, human moments in between. What we do well here is observe first, document second:

  • Capture wide shots that establish the stage, panelists, and environment

  • Zoom in on speaker expressions, gestures, and audience reactions

  • Photograph side conversations and breakout moments that reveal engagement and idea exchange

  • Integrate visuals for post-event marketing and internal communications that go beyond the formal program

With this mix of big picture and detail, images become assets that can support press coverage, reports, social content, and future event promotion.

You can see an example of this approach in a recent panel discussion we photographed in New York.

Galas and Fundraisers

Galas and fundraisers have a unique rhythm all their own — guests arrive, energy builds, speeches or presentations take place, and connections form throughout the night. Our work here focuses on balance:

  • Documenting arrival and registration moments as the first impression

  • Capturing key moments on stage — honorees, speeches, awards

  • Photographing candid interactions between guests during cocktail hours

  • Shooting details that matter — décor, branded elements, ambiance

  • Delivering a gallery that’s ready for press, newsletters, and donor relations with a fast turnaround

During a recent gala we covered, we blended wide architectural views with candid interactions and key ceremony moments — giving the event a visual narrative from start to finish.

Here’s an example of how we approach coverage for a formal gala.

Networking Events

Networking events are all about connection, and our approach reflects that. Instead of waiting for staged looks, we prioritize lived moments:

  • Anticipate authentic interactions — two people laughing, introductions in mid-motion, meaningful handshakes

  • Use movement and architecture to frame conversations in environments like hotel lounges or restaurant spaces

  • Photograph both individual headshots and group interactions that show the event’s energy

  • Keep coverage flexible — not everyone connects on schedule, but everyone has a story worth documenting

These events tend to generate some of the most natural imagery: the connections and conversations reveal more about an organization’s culture than the formal agenda ever could.

This networking event is a good example of how we focus on candid interaction and movement.

Step and Repeats

The step and repeat is one of the few moments in a corporate event that’s both intentional and public friendly. While it’s straightforward in setup, doing it well means keeping it dynamic and usable across platforms:

  • Position lighting for even, flattering coverage that avoids harsh shadows

  • Keep transitions quick so guests stay comfortable in a live setting

  • Capture both posed portraits and in-the-moment reactions

  • Deliver images that are press-ready, brand-ready, and social-ready

Rather than simply “checking the box,” our step and repeat coverage aims to create images that reinforce brand identity — polished, consistent, and unmistakably linked to the event experience.

This event offers a clear example of how we photograph step and repeat moments in a live setting.

What Ties It All Together

Across panels, galas, mixers, and step and repeats, a few constants drive our approach:

  • Preparation and presence — anticipating moments before they happen

  • Storytelling coverage — mixing candid moments with key staged shots

  • Fast turnaround and usability — delivering galleries that work immediately for press, social, and internal use

  • Adaptability to the venue and energy — whether it’s a rooftop dinner, a conference room, or a lobby reception

In every setting, our goal is the same: to capture not just what happened, but how it felt. The laughter, the tension, the applause, the quiet moments between conversations — that’s the story companies use again and again long after the event has ended.

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A Shared Moment or a Private One? Including Family and Friends in Your Proposal

Should Family and Friends Join Your Proposal?

A proposal is one of the most personal moments you’ll ever share with your person — and deciding who, if anyone, should be there can shape the entire experience. Some couples imagine celebrating immediately with family and friends, while others want the moment to belong only to the two of them. There’s no right or wrong choice — just what feels most honest to your relationship.

Over the years, I’ve photographed proposals that went both ways. Some unfolded quietly, with no one else around. Others quickly erupted with “CONGRATS!”, with hugs, with happy tears, and a group rushing in to celebrate. Each approach creates a very different kind of memory.

What It’s Like When Family and Friends Are There

When family and friends join a proposal, the energy shifts quickly from intimate to communal. The moment becomes something shared — not just remembered, but witnessed.

Often, the proposal itself stays focused and personal, followed by an immediate wave of emotion once loved ones step in. You can have your moment and tell people to meet you nearby, or to give you a few moments before rushing in. The reactions are unfiltered and genuine: surprise, laughter, tears, and that feeling of everything clicking into place all at once. Those first few minutes afterward tend to be some of the most candid and emotionally rich moments of the day. Group photos naturally follow — a mix of spontaneous embraces and more structured portraits — capturing not just the engagement, but the people who helped shape the couple’s story.

Reasons Couples Choose to Include Family and Friends

There are many reasons couples decide to make their proposal a shared experience:

  • You want to celebrate immediately, without waiting hours or days to tell everyone

  • Family and friends play a central role in your life together

  • You value collective memories and shared milestones

  • You know your partner would love having loved ones present

Reasons Couples Keep It Private

On the other hand, many couples intentionally choose privacy — and that choice can be just as powerful.

A private proposal allows the moment to unfold slowly, without external energy or expectation. There’s space to react freely, speak honestly, and sit with the experience before sharing it with anyone else.

Couples often choose privacy when:

  • They want to stay fully present with each other

  • One partner prefers low-pressure, intimate moments

  • The proposal feels deeply emotional or personal

  • They plan to celebrate later in a separate way

In these cases, the absence of others doesn’t make the moment smaller — it often makes it more focused.

There’s No “Better” Choice — Only the Right One for You

The most meaningful proposals aren’t defined by who’s there — they’re defined by how true they feel to the couple. Whether family and friends are waiting just out of sight or not involved at all, the proposal should reflect your shared dynamic.

Some couples want the joy to ripple outward immediately. Others want to hold it close first. Both are valid. Both are unforgettable in their own way.

If you’re unsure, ask yourself one simple question:
Do we want to share this moment as it happens — or savor it together first?

The answer usually becomes clear.

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

BOOK NOW!