DUMBO Engagement Session

Thomas' Brooklyn Bridge Park Proposal

As a New York City proposal photographer, I can confidently say, “I LOVE MY JOB and I so dearly love this city”. Being able to be the first person to say “Congrats” and to be able to document the moment, and the moments that follow, is amazing. The Brooklyn waterfront from Brooklyn Bridge Park to Williamsburg is a great place to capture your big moment with context. Our favorite spot in Brooklyn Bridge Park is right near the carousel , as the World Trade Center and Brooklyn Bridge lineup perfectly behind you. Anik chose the perfect place with the perfect weather and lighting for his surprise proposal.

Planning Tips for a Proposal Here

  • Best Time of Day: Sunset is ideal because the light softens and the skyline begins to glow. Nighttime proposals also work well with the city lights.

  • Crowd Levels: Weekdays are quieter. Weekends can be busy, especially near Jane’s Carousel, so timing matters.

  • Photography Considerations: Choose a spot with a clean view line to the skyline, and allow for space around you so the photographer can capture wide, medium, and close shots.

  • Accessibility: The park is easy to reach by subway and offers multiple pathways along the waterfront for flexibility in choosing a proposal spot.

Why Brooklyn Bridge Park Works Well for Proposals

  • Strong skyline elements (Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Center) provide instantly recognizable backdrops.

  • The waterfront gives reflections, open vistas, and natural spacing that help with composition.

  • The spot near the carousel is visually interesting yet accessible, balancing backdrop and privacy.

  • Timing near golden hour or sunset helps soften light, reduce harsh shadows, and enhance color contrast between sky and city.

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

Jane's Carousel DUMBO Proposal at Sunset

Omar chose a very special place for his surprise proposal. He worked with Celestine DUMBO to use their back patio on the one night of the week they are closed for his secret Brooklyn Bridge proposal. This private space allowed Omar to decorate and be out of site. The cover of the restaurant also gave him a reason to get dressed up nicely, a place to go, and a reason to be there at a set time without raising suspicion.

Why This Location Works Well

  • The combination of Jane’s Carousel, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge in view offers iconic NYC landmarks in the background, which makes photos instantly recognizable.

  • Using a private patio (Celestine DUMBO) that’s closed to the public gave Omar control over privacy and décor, reducing surprises and crowd interference.

  • Sunset light adds warmth and softer shadows, improving skin tones and giving a dramatic glow to skyline elements.

  • The juxtaposition of architectural elements (bridge, buildings), the carousel, water views, and twinkling city lights brings visual variety to the photos.

Tips for Planning a Proposal Here

  • Pick a restaurant or venue with private or semi-private space if possible; it offers better control.

  • Time the proposal around sunset for warm light and softer contrast.

  • Scout angles in advance—carousel, bridge, skyline—and plan where both wide shots and close-ups will work best.

  • Decorate minimally but meaningfully so the environment enhances the moment without overwhelming it.

  • Coordinate with your photographer ahead of time so they know when and where to position for both natural and city lights.

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

An Afternoon Proposal in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Deciding where to propose in New York City - Think about this…

I always recommend choosing a place with meaning. Perhaps it’s your favorite spot in a park, that place you went on your first date, or where you made one of your best memories. For Justin, the hilltop overlooking Lower Manhattan and the Manhattan Bridge was that spot.

Proposing in Brooklyn Bridge Park at Sunset is the best place to propose in Brooklyn

DUMBO and the area around the Brooklyn Bridge Park facing West is a great option for a sunset proposal and photography session. The lighting in DUMBO provides a ton of spots and angles to photograph as the warm sun sets. This part of Brooklyn has so much character in the look and feel of the buildings, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the park that your photos will be guaranteed unique.

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

Late September Evening DUMBO Proposal

DUMBO and the area around Brooklyn Bridge Park, facing west, is a great choice for a sunset proposal. Brooklyn Bridge Park is not only well-maintained and not terribly busy, but iconic for its views of lower Manhattan, the World Trade Center, and, of course, the Brooklyn Bridge. The lighting in Brooklyn in the late afternoon provides a ton of locations and angles to photograph as the warm sun sets. This part of Brooklyn has so much character in its look and feel of the buildings, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the park that your photos will be guaranteed to be unique.

Why This Location Works Well

  • The view includes major NYC landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge, the World Trade Center, and the lower Manhattan skyline, which make images feel instantly recognizable.

  • Brooklyn Bridge Park facing west gets good late afternoon/sunset light, which produces warm tones and softer shadows.

  • The park is maintained and clean; features like walkways, piers, and architectural elements add variety in backgrounds.

  • Because it’s in DUMBO, there is a combination of urban texture (brick, steel, industrial architecture) and natural elements (water, sky) that contribute to visual interest.

  • It tends to be less crowded in late September evenings compared to peak summer, helping with privacy and flexibility.

Tips for Planning a DUMBO Sunset Proposal

  • Time your proposal so you arrive at or slightly before sunset—this gives you warm light and a window for both wide and close-up shots.

  • Scout the area in advance: identify piers, viewpoints, and walkways that frame the skyline well.

  • Dress in colors that pop against the skyline and water—solid, complementary tones work best.

  • Be ready to move: there are many vantage points, so having flexibility helps if one area gets blocked by people or lighting shifts.

  • Work with a photographer who knows how to handle both natural light and city lights—bridges, windows, and reflections can all affect exposure.

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

,

Ben and Jenn's Brooklyn Bridge Park Sunset Proposal

,

Why Brooklyn Bridge Park is the perfect place to propose NYC

Brooklyn Bridge Park offers magnificent views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center, and a glimpse of the Empire State Building. This iconic NYC destination is a top destination for tourists and locals alike for obvious reasons. So, why choose DUMBO’s Brooklyn Bridge Park for your proposal? Simply put, your photos will have NYC in them.

Photographing a DUMBO Brooklyn Bridge Park Proposal

DUMBO and the area around the Brooklyn Bridge Park facing West is a great option for a sunset proposal and photography session. The lighting in DUMBO provides a ton of spots and angles to photograph as the warm sun sets. This part of Brooklyn has so much character in the look and feel of the buildings, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the park that your photos will be guaranteed unique.

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


Brian and Arielle's Brooklyn Bridge Park Proposal

When Manhattan comes to Brooklyn to propose.

Brooklyn Bridge Park offers magnificent views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center, and a glimpse of the Empire State Building. This iconic NYC destination is a top destination for tourists and locals alike for obvious reasons. However, from the Upper East Side, Brooklyn can seem a world away. If you’re looking to propose to your partner in Brooklyn, or elsewhere, and it’s a bit of a trek, think about the how, why, and when of your proposal. For tonight’s proposal, Brian convinced Arielle that they were going to a dinner in DUMBO.

Brian and Arielle arrived at Brooklyn Bridge Park in the late afternoon. The route from DUMBO gave them a walk over cobblestone paths and views of bridges and water that set the stage. As light softened, the skyline’s reflection in the East River became visible, and lampposts warmed into an amber glow. Brian chose a spot along the waterfront with open view lines to Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the WTC. When he proposed, the ambient city backdrop and river added to the scene. The photographer used wide frames to capture the skyline and park, and closer frames for the emotion between them. Because it was evening, fewer people were around, and the light was flattering without harsh midday sun.

Why Brooklyn Bridge Park Works Well for Proposals

  • Very strong skyline features — Manhattan, bridges, the WTC — are visible from many vantage points.

  • Waterfront setting gives space for reflections and open frames that emphasize place and view.

  • Paths, piers, benches, and other architectural elements offer flexibility in framing: wide, medium, and close.

  • At sunset/evening times, crowd levels often drop, allowing more privacy.

  • Lighting shifts in evening (sunset) help with softer shadows, color in sky, and balance between ambient (city) light and natural light.

Tips for Planning a Proposal at Brooklyn Bridge Park

  • Time the proposal for late afternoon / just before sunset when light is warm and crowds start to fade.

  • Scout out key view spots in advance so you know where skyline landmarks align best.

  • Choose a path or pier with minimal clutter in the background for cleaner frames.

  • Wear colors that contrast with the city skyline and river — avoid tones that blend into background.

  • Work with a photographer experienced with waterfront lighting and low-light conditions.

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