Our Guide to Planning and Photographing Your NYC Proposal

Having photographed over 2,500 surprise marriage proposals in New York City, we’ve learned a lot about what makes a proposal perfect, beautiful, and stress-free. From lighting and crowds to how to get to “X” location at “Y” time without tipping anyone off—we’ve got you covered.

Step 1: Let’s Talk Details

We’ll start with a call or email to discuss your proposal vision—date, time, location, and how you want the moment to feel. I’ll answer any and all questions you might have, and walk you through our process.

Step 2: Create an Agreement

Once we have a plan, we’ll send you an agreement (see a sample agreement above) and ask for a photo of you both, so we know who to photograph.

Step 3: Proposal Day! - We have a photo of you, you have a photo of us.

On the big day, your photographer arrives about 30 minutes early. We want to ensure we are 1) there before you and 2) the spot is good to go; lighting, crowds, and the view! We’ll send over a selfie that’s “marked up” (see below), so you know exactly who to look for and where /how to stand for the best angles. We emphasize catching authentic emotion; your partner’s reaction is always the priority. We move around as we capture.

When do you get your photos, and how many photos?

All photos captured are delivered edited, full resolution print ready, and without watermarks within 7 days. These are 100% your photos.

FAQs on how we capture a picture perfect surprise marriage proposal in NYC

  • FAQ #1 - Are your proposal photos staged? No — all the proposals you see are real, not posed.

  • FAQ #2 - Do you hide somewhere? Not exactly. We stay close nearby, camera ready, but not hidden in bushes. NYC has enough lurking cameras already.

  • FAQ #3 - When do you start photographing? Once you’re clearly proposing. We wait for that moment so the surprise stays intact.

  • FAQ #4 - Do you know what you look like to my partner? Yes. We’ll exchange photos with you so your partner doesn’t recognize us early on.

    Tips and tricks to being a ROCKSTAR NYC Proposal Photographer

  • TIP #1 Let us know what you’re wearing and text us when you’re 5minutes away, so we can ensure the spot is ready for you and not crowded.

  • TIP #2 The photographer will stand in the spot, so no one else is there. As you approach the spot, your photographer will walk out of the spot, and you’ll walk in to the spot.

  • TIP #3 Ask us to snap a candid photo of you two with your phone just before you propose. It helps loosen things up, gives you a fun keepsake, and nobody suspects—the real camera is already ready.

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Brooklyn Bridge Park Sunset Proposal

Capture the smile on their face. Capture the moment when the next chapter of your life begins. I will help you plan and discreetly photograph your Brooklyn, NY surprise proposal. 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.

Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of Professional 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!

Tommy's Greenpoint Brooklyn Newtown Barge Marriage Proposal

Newtown Barge Playground Park in Greenpoint Brooklyn offers some of the best views of Manhattan, with the skyline beautifully framed parallel against the East River. Tommy chose this unique NYC location for his surprise proposal because its significance, as they frequently visit. On this day, they grabbed brunch nearby at one of their favorite cafes. It’s a really thoughtful idea to combine such a personal moment with the energy and beauty of Brooklyn and Manhattan—it will be an unforgettable day!

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!
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Capturing Global Diplomacy: Photographing Foreign Policy’s UNGA Event at Studio Gather

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As a corporate event photographer in NYC, I had the privilege of capturing Foreign Policy’s UN General Assembly event at Studio Gather by Tishman Speyer. Located high above Rockefeller Center, this venue offered a breathtaking backdrop for discussions shaping global diplomacy.

The event featured a dynamic panel discussion, bringing together thought leaders to address pressing global issues. My approach focused on balancing wide-angle shots to capture the grandeur of the venue and close-ups to highlight the intensity of the discussions. This dual perspective ensured a comprehensive visual narrative of the event.

Key Elements Captured:

  • Panel Discussions: Photographed experts engaging in meaningful dialogue, emphasizing the significance of their contributions.

  • Audience Engagement: Captured attendees' reactions and interactions, showcasing the event's impact on participants.

  • Venue Ambiance: Highlighted the unique architectural features of Studio Gather, integrating the environment into the storytelling.

If you're planning a corporate event in NYC and seek a photographer who can deliver high-quality, storytelling images with a quick turnaround, let's connect. I'd be honored to capture your next event.

UN General Assembly 2024: Capturing Global Diplomacy in NYC | Jonathan Heisler Photography

Photographing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City is always an honor and a unique challenge. As a seasoned NYC corporate event photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing various high-profile events, but nothing compares to the scale and significance of UNGA.

In 2024, I was tasked with documenting the Turkish Mission's activities during the General Assembly. This included photographing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's address, bilateral meetings, and various diplomatic engagements. The challenge was to balance the grandeur of the event with the intimate moments that define international diplomacy.

Key Aspects of UNGA Photography:

  • High-Level Speeches: Capturing the intensity and significance of world leaders' addresses.

  • Bilateral Meetings: Documenting one-on-one discussions between leaders, highlighting the nuances of international relations.

  • Candid Moments: Photographing spontaneous interactions that reveal the human side of diplomacy.

  • Venue Details: Highlighting the iconic architecture of the UN headquarters and the surrounding NYC skyline.

Utilizing a dual-camera setup, I ensured comprehensive coverage—from wide-angle shots that captured the scale of the assembly to close-ups that highlighted the emotions and expressions of the participants. This approach allowed for a diverse and dynamic representation of the event.

If you're planning a corporate event in NYC and seek a photographer who can deliver high-quality, storytelling images with a quick turnaround, let's connect. I'd be honored to capture your next event.

Photographing an editorial shoot - KPMG

When I was in high school I only knew two types of professional photographers, Wedding Photographers and Photo Journalist (news photographers or sports photographers), but what does an 18 year old kid know. The world of professional photograph is so, so much more.

Editorial photographers operate within a unique niche of photography which combines so many different skillsets and styles. The moments we capture are planned, stylized, and yet somewhat candid. On today’s session, we had loose brand guidelines and a very long shot list of items we needed to capture. To summarize, our main goal was to capture the newly renovated NYC office space with people, without people, and the people of the KPMG Ignition team collaborating with one another.