A pond, a handwritten note, and a ring engraved with a Taylor Swift lyric.
Dan has been one of my husband’s good friends since high school, so when he texted me a month ago to say he was going to propose to Maria and asked if I’d photograph it, I said yes before I finished reading the message.
Dan and Maria met three years ago. On a beautiful fall Saturday, he asked her to marry him.
The plan
The plan was simple, and I loved it. They took the train out of Manhattan to Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, and on the way Maria joked about when the two of them were going to get engaged. She had no idea the answer was that afternoon.
Behind St. John’s Church, along the pond, Dan’s sister dropped off two coffees near a lakeside bench. That was the setup: a quiet spot, a fall drink, and the trees doing the rest. It was simple, but it was clearly thought through.
The proposal
I was hidden nearby until the moment Dan got down on one knee. Maria was shocked, and then she was so happy. Her joy came through in every frame. Before the question, the two of them had sat on the bench and read the note Dan had written her. I took a photo of that moment, but I never read the note. Dan and Maria get to keep it.
After the yes, we walked the gravel path along the water and stepped into the little wooden gazebo overlooking the pond. Some of my favorite frames came from there: laughing, holding on to each other, the orange and gold of the hills behind them.
The details that were so Maria
Maria is a huge Taylor Swift fan, and she loves a good card. Dan knew both, so he wrote her that note and had her ring band engraved with a lyric from “Lover”: “I want ’em all.” It’s specific and personal, and it couldn’t belong to anyone else’s proposal. Those are the details I look for in every session.
A second surprise
The day wasn’t over. They went to a celebratory lunch with Maria’s family and her best friend, who had been waiting as a second surprise. It was exactly the kind of day a proposal should be.
Congratulations, Dan and Maria
I’m so happy for you both. Thank you for letting me be there. Dan and Maria live on the Upper East Side, my old neighborhood and one I still love, so we’ll plan a formal engagement session in New York City. I can’t wait.
If you’re planning a surprise proposal on Long Island, in New York City, or in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and want someone there to capture it as it happens, I’d love to connect.
📸 Just engaged? Let’s document the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you photograph surprise proposals?
Yes. I can be there for the proposal itself, hidden nearby until the moment, and capture it as it unfolds. I photograph proposals in New York City, on Long Island, and in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
How far in advance should I book a proposal photographer?
As early as you can, so we can plan around your location and timing. Dan reached out about a month ahead for his proposal.
Do you also photograph engagement sessions and weddings?
Yes. I’m a documentary photographer based in Fairfield County, CT, and I photograph engagement sessions and weddings in New York City, the Hamptons, Connecticut, and destinations around the world. Read more about my engagement sessions.