Cris & Isela: Surprise Proposal in Central Park

I recently had the pleasure of capturing a couples portrait session/ surprise proposal in one of the most iconic and romantic settings in NYC. I met Cris and Isela online as they were searching for a photographer to capture their portraits as a couple from San Diego, California visiting the Big Apple. They decided on a warm and sunny Sunday morning by Gapstow Bridge.

Now, Cris and Isela have been married for 9 years and had never had professional images taken of them as a couple and felt it was long overdue. Well, Cris specifically felt it was necessary since he had been planning for months to drop on one knee and pop the big question. Yes, they were already married and even renewing their vows next year, but according to the lovely couple, he hadn't asked for her hand by proposing the old fashioned way. Isela had no idea what was coming.

We had planned on capturing the big moment towards the end of their 1.5 hour session, but halfway through the shoot, he couldn't bear it any longer. "I'm going to do it now" he warned as he rummaged through his belongings. I quickly attempted to distract Isela, using the excuse that I would be testing the lighting and needed her as a model. He gathered up the courage and walked over to his wife and handed over a hand written note. I began clicking away as she read the note, her eyes watering as she absorbed what was happening. As she neared the end of the note, Cris got on one knee and Isela covered her mouth in disbelief. 

I could't help but tear up watching as this atmosphere was created, as if an invisible bubble or barrier formed around them, like no one else in the world was watching or even existed. It was as though NYC held its breath, just to let these two have their perfect moment. When he got back up and they embraced, I slowly felt the city come back to life, resuming its usual foot traffic and noise. The moment we had been waiting for had come and gone. 

Now that Cris no longer had this enormous secret hidden in his pocket, you could see the relief in his expression and the gratitude and love in Isela's. She looked at him, infatuated and in disbelief, in awe and in love. Their love for one another was palpable and evident within the images. It was such an honor to have been chosen to capture such an incredibly loving and important moment. One that neither of us will ever forget. 

Stay tuned for tips on how to capture such an heart pounding moment on next week's blog post!