Kevin proposed over a casual Sunday picnic on Governors Island, an interesting little pocket of land just a short ferry ride from lower Manhattan. It was a warm August Sunday and the perfect day for a quiet picnic in the park. I spied on Kevin and his future fiancé in the moments before Kevin proposed, photographing them discreetly. When he dropped to his knee she was so shocked and excited and amazed he pulled off a picnic in the park and having a photographer there to capture it. Once I revealed myself, we spent some time strolling around the lush and green park getting some nice engagement photos. It was such a pleasure photographing this relaxed, late summer afternoon proposal for Kevin and his stunning fiancé! – Ash Fox
https://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DSC_0562-1.jpg18001201Ash Foxhttps://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ash-Fox-Primary.black-3.pngAsh Fox2016-08-03 16:42:422022-04-21 03:34:57Governor’s Island Picnic Surprise Marriage Proposal
Paras’s proposal is one of my all time favorite proposals, because Paras carefully considered what his girlfriend would like and tailored it to her interests. Paras told me his girlfriend loves books and said he’d like to propose in a library but he wasn’t sure about doing it in an actual Library because there are restrictions and you need certain permission. I found Paras the perfect location to achieve the library feel for his proposal without having to deal with permits or cranky librarians. We settled on a beautiful, sunny, Library Bar room where he could have a leisurely a late afternoon drink with his girlfriend and discreetly hide one of her favorite books in plain sight. Since Paras’s future fiancé’s favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre, Paras knew hshe saw Jane Eyre on the shelf she would without a doubt pull it down off the shelf. Paras was certain should would fall into his trap and she did! I watched from a nearby table with a large newspaper obscuring my face and camera (like the spy proposal photographer I am) and saw Paras’s future fiancé pull the book down from the shelf. She opened the book and out spilled paper hearts from a larger heart cut into the book with a photo of them and a written dedication from Paras. She looked up at Paras, in awe of the book and there he was down on his knee proposing to her. It was beautiful. You don’t need a circus to make a great proposal (unless your girlfriend LOVES the circus) just a lot of heart.
Guys and gals ask me all the time where they can propose with an amazing view of NYC, but without the crowds of tourists. There are so many great options I recommend depending on the couple, their personal style and interests, but one great idea for an intimate proposal is to do it atop a gorgeous, private New York City rooftop. The rooftop can be an event space, the rooftop of an office building, the balcony of a hotel suite, or even the private rooftop of a NYC resident. A rooftop is a fantastic place for a proposal because of the incredible scenic background.
I loved photographing this gorgeous proposal for Adrian and his stunning fiancé! Adrian booked the rooftop, decorated it with sentimental photographs that chronicled his relationship with his fiancé and had a violinist there playing their favorite song. He proposed with a breathtaking view of the Empire State Building in the background. This view is totally unique and special for them because it’s a private space, so the pictures they have are even more personalized.
A rooftop proposal is a great way to avoid crowds, and have a very private and unique experience. You can even set up a table in chairs and order delivery from your favorite restaurant to top off the night. :)
– Ash Fox
Feel free to email me about our new Full Service Rooftop Proposal Packages
Including…
photography
exclusive private and semi private location recommendations and booking
Raymond was trying to find the perfect spot for his proposal in NYC. His gorgeous girlfriend is a student here in NYC and he lives in California. He didn’t want to choose one of her obvious local haunts, but rather find a special place she may not have yet discovered in her short time here in NYC. This way the spot was all their own. He had seen my video online, where I’m standing in Tudor City talking about how I help plan and photographer proposals and thought “I like where Ash is standing, how about doing it there!” So Ray and I hashed out a plan and I shot his proposal right there in my favorite secret hideout in all of NYC. I write this knowing that I might eat my words, because next thing you know everyone may be hanging out in Tudor City! That’s NYC for you. Once the word is out about a cool spot, that little corner of the universe is up for grabs! So I’ll savor this spot for now as my secret hideout, other than sharing it with awesome couples like Ray and Alexa. They are young, gourgous, and full of laughs. This winter day was BITTER COLD, but they were troopers! Love does have a warming effect!
https://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/layerslider/Homepage-Full/DSC_9726.jpg12011800Ash Foxhttps://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ash-Fox-Primary.black-3.pngAsh Fox2014-08-11 17:03:592022-06-29 19:34:35Metropolitan Museum of Art Engagement
James and his girlfriend Kathryn live in Connecticut. Kathryn is currently getting her PHD in archeology, so James planned the perfect proposal in front of the Temple of Dendur inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Egyptian wing and of course I was there to secretly photograph it! This open space is gorgeous and full of light. This room perfectly marries ancient and modern with the Temple of Dendur set inside the large contemporary space with it’s rectangular pool and large slanted windows. My eyes always fall right into the reflection of the shadowy figures in the pool. I’m a sucker for reflected images of couples. The Metropilotian Museum of Art was a perfect location choice for James, because it put Kathryn right in her element. James and Kathryn made an elegant couple strolling around the museum. I watched as Kathryn showed James around the gallery pointing and explaining different pieces. She reminded me of myself wandering around the MOMA, challenging myself to guess the names of the artists without looking at the wall plaques. I would most definitely fail at this little game here inside the Met. Before entering the Temple of Dendur, James dropped to his knee. Kathryn’s reaction was awesome. How lovely is it to propose in a museum! I generally like to use museum’s as backups plans in case of rain, but if the girl you’re proposing to has an affinity for history and/or art it makes for the perfect spot. – Ash Fox
https://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/DSC_0568.jpg13672048Ash Foxhttps://www.ashfoxphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ash-Fox-Primary.black-3.pngAsh Fox2014-05-22 17:50:332022-04-21 03:45:42Metropolitan Museum of Art Proposal
Stephen knew his girlfriend Alexandra’s favorite movie of all time is “You’ve Got Mail”, the famous 90s movie with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. So, Stephen planned a romantic weekend in NYC around the theme of the movie taking Alexandra to many of the famous locations featured in the movie. The final destination to complete the movie scavenger hunt would be Riverside Park where Stephen planned to propose. I love this proposal because Stephen really knows Alexandra and personalized the proposal around something that means a lot to her, a place that makes her heart sing. Whoever proposes to me should watch the film “Great Expectations” with Gweynth Paltrow and Ethan Hawk if they want to get ideas ;).
This proposal ranks as one of the most original and romantic proposals I’ve shot! Chris knew that his girlfriend loved castles and fairytales and created a real life fairytale for Nicole. He just blew her away with this epic proposal, complete with a violinist playing their song Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” softly in the background. I had an amazing time shooting this proposal for them. Here’s Chris’s testimonial : “I hired Ash to capture a very special moment – my proposal to my girlfriend (she said yes!). Ash was a total pro and extremely easy to work with – she helped me plan out the best way to get her involved unbeknownst to my girlfriend, and captured every moment of the proposal. Our friends and family are obsessed with the photos – thanks for everything”! – Chris M
I love photographing couples in front of the incredible NYC skyline. When JD got in touch with me to photograph his proposal to his girlfriend Anna we combined forces and brainstormed an awesome proposal along the waterside in DUMBO including a ferry ride, in which I discreetly photographed them (sneaky sneaky)! I always love when guys add special personal touches to their proposal. JD created a beautiful photo book of his and Anna’s journey as a couple together. He also picked out such a beautiful and unique canary yellow ring! I’m a big fan of yellow if you couldn’t tell. Anna was completely shocked and so thrilled! This summertime proposal was so romantic, I was “kvelling” (as the say in Yiddish–to be so overwhelmed with emotion). She of course said yes!
