Mike and Amanda - Long Island Gantry Plaza NYC Proposal

Mike planned a secret proposal for Amanda at Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City. He chose this location because of its strong skyline views, waterfront piers, and more privacy compared to many Midtown spots.

Together, Mike and I scouted the area in advance and tracked weather. He planned the proposal while balancing work and commuting, arranging all the logistics beforehand. The day of, I arrived early to pick vantage points and confirm lighting and framing.

As Mike and Amanda approached one of the piers, I asked a few nearby people to step aside so the view would be clean. Mike proposed out by the pier with skyline and water in the frame. After the proposal, we moved through nearby locations for mini engagement portraits—changing angles, removing or adding jacket layers, capturing expressions, and using the Long Island sign in the background (a meaningful detail for them).

Why Gantry Plaza Works Well for a Proposal

  • Clear skyline views (Midtown, bridges, waterfront) make photos instantly recognisable.

  • The waterfront provides reflective surfaces that add depth and variety to images.

  • Gantry has piers and open walkways that allow multiple composition options (wide shots, close-ups).

  • Better privacy than many Manhattan locations, especially during off-peak times.

  • Meaningful details (like the Long Island sign) can be integrated into the photos if relevant to the couple.

Tips for Planning a Gantry Plaza Surprise Proposal

  • Scout ahead of time: identify the pier or vantage point, test light, check if skyline is visible from that spot.

  • Arrive early so you can set up quietly and manage crowd flow.

  • Plan backup options in case weather or lighting change (cloud cover, glare, etc.).

  • Use layers: jackets, accessories—these help change looks for portraits post-proposal.

  • Work with a photographer who knows Gantry Plaza: familiarity with angles, light reflecting off water, how to avoid unwanted background clutter is helpful.

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NYC Doctor Headshot - Montefiore Medical Center

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Recent headshot photography work for Montefiore Medical Center in South Bronx, NY. The above photos were photographed for a piece highlighting the researcher and her work on stem cells at Albert Einstein Medical College. When hired to photograph headshot photos I was instructed to photograph both portrait and landscape photos, as well as leave room for text or graphics.

Client: Montefiore Medical Center

Photographed on location at the Hutchinson Metro Center with the New York City skyline in the background.

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NYC Doctor Headshot - Montefiore Medical Center

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Recent headshot work for Montefiore Medical Center in the South Bronx, NY. The above photos were photographed for a piece highlighting the above Oncology doctor’s research and his time spent as a professor at Albert Einstein Medical College. When hired to photograph his headshot I was instructed to photograph both portrait and landscape photos, as well as leave room for text or graphics.

Client: Montefiore Medical Center

Photographed on location at the Hutchinson Metro Center with the New York City skyline in the background.

Will and Anne Secret Central Park Proposal

Where to propose in NYC’s central park

Will and I decided on a location in Central Park just past the Bow Bridge in an area known as “the Ramble”. Will chose this specific area because it’s an area him and Anne often visit on their weekend strolls through the park.

Leading up to Saturday’s proposal we closely watched the weather as it bucketed rain, and we hoped for the best. The rain ended late Friday night, and in the morning some foliage remained, the winds died down, and the sun shined bright. Saturday morning turned out to be a beautiful day.

This Central Park Proposal Photographer is always ready

A few minutes before Will and Anne arrived I politely asked a few lingering tourists if they could move. “A couple is about to come and propose. Do you mind moving to the side?”, I asked. Precisely on time (11am) Will and Anne arrived. They admired the view of the famous Dakota building, and Will dropped down on one knee. Without even asking “Will you marry me?”, Anne said “YES!”

After the big moment, both Anne and Will took it all in. There was crying. There was laughter. There was happiness. And, there was also some runny mascara!

Engagement mini-session photos

After capturing the proposal and they took it all in, I introduced myself. We then took a few posed photos, a few close ups of Anne’s new ring, and walked around for a few minutes. We headed towards the Bow Bridge and then towards the Bethesda Fountain hunting for the remaining foliage.

Congrats Will and Anne!

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Where to Propose in NYC - COVID Update

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The best place to propose in New York City, COVID or no COVID, is outdoors. New York City provides countless iconic locations with uniquely New York backdrops. Outdoor Zoos (Central Park Zoo, Brooklyn Zoo, and the iconic Bronx Zoo), Botanical Gardens, skyline vistas, and parks (Central park, Gantry Plaza, Washington Square Park…) are some of the most popular places to propose, and the safest during COVID.

While proposing in a restaurant is romantic, it entails logistics and careful coordination with the restaurant staff. Most restaurants or indoor facilities will not allow you to take off your mask with others around. They also have ugly dividers and makeshift precautions that will be in your photos. While Grand Central Terminal is usually my go to indoor location when it rains or there is bad weather, during COVID you must wear a mask while in the terminal. This means, you’re going to have masks on in all of your photos.

Currently, there are no tourists in New York City. New York is now for the real New Yorkers, and because of this we now have unobstructed access to the city’s treasures; Central Park Bow Bridge, Gantry Plaza, Brooklyn Waterfront DUMBO, Brooklyn Promenade. When photographing your proposal we no longer have people staring, looking, and gathering with awkward faces in the background.

Central Park Proposal - Patrick and Maggie

Congrats on your engagement Patrick and Maggie!

A “picture perfect quintessential New York City Fall proposal” is how I’d describe photographing Patrick’s proposal to Maggie in Central Park. Patrick was confident in knowing where and how he’d propose. Choosing Central Park’s Model Boat Pond first thing in the morning on a Saturday was ideal for lighting, foliage, and limited crowds.

Proposing in central park during the fall is one of the perfect places to propose in nyc

Just on time Patrick and Maggie approached the pond like we discussed. Maggie didn’t suspect a thing. They took in the views and watched the sailboats whisk around the pond. Then, Patrick got down on one knee and it was clear Maggie was in shock.

As a proposal photographer with years of experience, i still get excited every time i photograph a proposal. Photographing each proposal feels like a new and unique experience.

Post proposal, their family and friends rushed in for hugs and a proper champagne celebration. Once emotions settled, I photographed a mini-engagement style shoot with the newly engaged couple around the pond. We switched up the look by dressing down (jackets off).