Photographing Nathan’s secret proposal on Long Island was a great change of pace for our team of proposal photographers. While most of our proposals are in New York City, Manhattan and Brooklyn, we also photograph on Long Island. The sites might change, but the job is the same. Discretely photograph the proposal and the emotins that follow!
Today, we took the LIRR to Great Neck, NY where we visited Steppingstone Park. This discreet public park, which is only open to Great Neck residents, provided the perfect intimate backdrop for an afternoon summertime proposal.
Our way to photograph a secret proposal is as follows:
Important: Scout the Location: Before the proposal day, visit Steppingstone Park in Great Neck, NY to familiarize yourself with the area. Look for the best vantage points, lighting conditions, and possible obstacles to ensure you capture the moment perfectly. Things always happen day of, so we arrive early and we expect the unexpected!
Use a Telephoto Lens: To maintain a discreet distance while still getting close-up shots, use a zoom or a “telephoto lens”. This helps us capture the proposal without being intrusive.
Natural Lighting: Natural light can add a beautiful touch to your photographs. The worst time photograph is at noon! You’ll have harsh shadows and “not good colors”
Strike when the moment is right: Candid shots are precious, especially during a surprise proposal. We always keep our camera at our side and we don’t start photographing until you are clearly proposing. We don’t want to ruin your moment.
Capture Reactions: Candid shots are precious, especially during a surprise proposal. The surprise is on your partner, so that’s where we focus to start.
Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of Professional New York City photographers specializing in photographing private NYC proposals, as well as engagement sessions and weddings.