The Cloisters: Love and History in New York City
The MET Cloisters prohibits professional photographers - posed photo sessions! Professional photographers are NOT allowed here anymore. This session is from 2021. We now photograph at Fort Tryon Park (Example here) down the street and elsewhere through New York City (Checkout some of our favorite NYC proposal locations linked here!)
There’s something deeply romantic about being surrounded by history, architecture, and lush gardens—all in one place. For Nihar and Rhea, the Met Cloisters provided just that setting. He planned a full romantic day, but the highlight was the surprise proposal among the Cloisters’ gardens—stone pathways, ancient walls, and blooming greenery giving every moment a timeless feel.
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!