This fall Central Park Proposal was so much fun to photograph. We loved capturing the colors in light of fall paired with the super emotional moments taking place. As New York City proposal photographers, we love to help couples plan the best proposal for their love story.

Proposal Photography in Central Park

For Jake and Abby, Central Park was the best place to propose in NYC. These two have spent tons of time at the park during their relationship. Particularly, when the whole city went into lockdown, couples like Jake and Abby spent lots of time getting fresh air in Central Park.

How Jake Figured Out Where to Propose in New York

We first met Jake and Abby at their friend’s beautiful rooftop elopement in New York. It was such a joy to see Jake’s name in our inbox when he was planning his proposal with Abby. As NYC proposal photographers, we work hard to make sure that all planning is done discreetly. We hopped on the phone with Jake to devise a plan of where to propose in New York.

When Jake was choosing his location for his NYC proposal, the park was high on his list. Many people consider Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Times Square, and the Empire State Building to be some of the most popular spots to pop the question in New York. But what’s most important when choosing a proposal location is the significance a spot has within your relationship.

Hiring a Proposal Photographer in New York City

One thing Jake knew was important to Abby was hiring a New York City proposal photographer. Having the moment documented was important because they wanted that moment to be captured forever. One of the benefits to having a photographer capture your proposal is that the whole mom and goes by so quickly. When you’re actually proposing, it’s hard to remember what was even being said. For the person being proposed to, it’s the same thing. They may not even remember what their reaction was like.

Should You Have a Stranger Take Your Proposal Photos?

Hiring a photographer as opposed to handing a nearby stranger your phone is a good idea for a few reasons. The top reason is that your photographer will help you plan out the best timing and plan. Your proposal photographer will want to make sure that everything goes off seamlessly. Another reason that you shouldn’t ask a stranger to photograph your proposal is that you can’t trust that they’re going to get the shot. They may be surprised and emotional as well when they see what’s happening, and they may even miss the moment.

Moreover, there are several variables that go into a proposal day. If the plan needs to switch last minute, your photographer will be ready for whatever happens. If it’s raining, for example, and you still decide to propose, your photographer will know how to capture the best possible image and get everything right for lighting and color. A photo on the phone may not have that same special quality.

A proposal is a moment that you want to keep forever. A quality photographer will make sure that you can print and frame the image, and that the photos will stand the test of time. When hiring a New York City Proposal photographer, always make sure to check out other proposals they’ve done to make sure their work is in line with what you are looking for.

Taking Proposal Photos in Central Park

He decided on Central Park for their proposal location. They took a walk down Literary Walk/The Mall on a beautiful fall day. When they approached where we were sneakily blending in with tourists, Jake took a knee and popped the question.

This proposal spot was perfect because early in the morning there weren’t a ton of people. With New York City proposals, it can get tricky to dodge crowds of people. This location in the morning was a great spot for their special moment to take place.

Where Should You Propose in Central Park?

We love photographing surprise proposals in Central Park. If you’re planning to propose in NYC, there are so many places to choose in this iconic park. From Bethesda Terrace to Shakespeare Garden and Belvedere Castle, the options are endless for gorgeous spots. Here are some of our recommendations for proposing in Central Park.

Best Central Park Proposal Locations:

• Gapstow Bridge and the Pond
• Bow Bridge
• Cherry Hill
• Bethesda Fountain
• Conservatory Garden
• The Mall/Literary Walk
• Ladies Pavilion
• Conservatory Water (AKA Toy Boat Pond)
• The Lakes Viewing Area

As you can see, there are tons of great marriage proposal ideas in New York City. Central Park is definitely a foundational spot for so many couples. If you two have special memories in this location, it may be a good idea to pop the question with breathtaking views in Central Park.

Capturing Proposal Photos of Jake and Abby in Central Park

After Jake took a knee, we revealed ourselves as the photographers. It was such a joy to see Abby’s face when she realized what was going on. We then took the couple around Bethesda Terrace for some quick engagement photos. When it comes to proposals, we never like to keep people for too long as we know that they want to go enjoy their day. But getting a few nice engagement photos after the moment is always a lot of fun.

Engagement Session Photos at Bethesda Terrace

We took them around the fountain and by the lake near the Central Park boathouse. There are so many gorgeous spots in this area to take photos as a couple. The fall leaves make the colors in the photos even better. It was such a dream to capture the special moment for Abby and Jake.

Finally, Kenneth shot some images of their ring. We always love to capture up-close macro photos of engagement rings, so that couples can share photos with their friends. It’s one thing to take a ring selfie (which everyone loves, even us!) but having that up-close detail shot can be so much fun to share.

Hiring a New York City Proposal Photographer

We love capturing Jake and Abby’s Central Park Proposal photos. As New York City proposal photographers, this is one of our favorite spots for couples to pop the question. However, we love wherever our couple shoes because it’s so special to them. If you’re thinking of popping the question, let us know! We would love to help with your surprise proposal photos. We can’t wait to see how Jake and Abby’s story continues to unfold.