An Unforgettable Central Park Proposal at Bethesda Fountain

I've been super excited to share this story with you since I captured it! Like many do nowadays, Gustavo contacted me a year ago to ask about my proposal stories and whether I was interested and available to travel to document his Central Park proposal and engagement in New York City to Alexandra.

After a happy dance in front of my computer, I said YES! I started planning this magical moment at Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, NYC.

Planning a Proposal in Central Park

Planning a surprise proposal is a hard enough job, let alone when you also have to plan a trip around the event. Here was the plan:

We would settle on a time and location when Gustavo would pop the question while I would be hidden far away, taking all the pictures. I'd need to be in hiding, because Alexandra had been following my work for years.

She'd probably recognize me right away if I pretended to be a tourist walking around the city (which is my usual MO for proposals). Also, Puerto Ricans have this weird superpower to identify other Puerto Ricans around us.

Alexandra's best friend and her sister also joined them on the NYC trip. They would be my allies, helping us sort out the logistics and text me any updates so Gustavo didn't look suspicious.

Once he was in sight, his knees dropped, and the ring got out; I'd come out of my hiding place to take close-ups of the whole thing.

It all sounded like a good initial plan. We'd still need to settle on a time and location, but that could be done later since it was October, and the proposal would be happening in May.

A Wedding Photography Inquiry... Is she onto us?

A few weeks after we got the plan sorted out, I received a wedding inquiry from Alexandra asking about my services. Being a medical school student, she wanted to skip ahead of their engagement, wanting to learn about my booking process in advance because she had limited time to think about everything.

I sent her my information in response to her inquiry, not without having a little freakout moment when I thought she might be onto us.

The Perfect Proposal at Bethesda Fountain, Central Park

As summer approached, Gustavo and I discussed the final details of his proposal plan. After researching on the best places to propose in NYC, we finally decided to pop the question in front of the iconic Bethesda Fountain in Central Park.

They planned to enter through one of the side entrances. At the same time, my assistant and I would hide behind a column in Bethesda Terrace until Gustavo proposed.

I had a few worries:

• Weather: It had been raining in NYC since I got there the day before, which felt like Deja Vu from the last time I visited New York for engagement photos.
• Crowds: It was Memorial Day. Bethesda Fountain is one of the top tourist spots, and it would be packed.
• Timing: Minutes before our appointed time, a tour with around 30 people stopped at the fountain for photos.

Fortunately, the stormy weather, which we thought would work against us, did us a HUGE favor: it started raining, and the whole plaza emptied as people ran for cover. No Photoshop needed: an empty Bethesda Fountain photo shoot at 9:30 a.m.? Priceless!

I got a text from Gustavo stating, "We're here." And there they were: Alexandra and Gustavo posing for a few snaps the girls were taking of them. A shaky Gustavo turned towards her, told her a few words, and finally, Alexandra realized what was happening. He dropped to one knee and took the ring out of his pocket.

She was so excited and surprised! She didn't even realize I was there taking pictures until someone introduced me. We all hugged and greeted each other; we were all so happy!

After all the mandatory selfies and celebrations, we walked around Central Park, taking engagement portraits. Hours later, as we left the park to take photos in the city, the rain started again, so we decided to call it a day!

It was a fantastic experience, and I'm so happy I was there to capture it for you. I loved being a part of your proposal, beach engagement photos, and following wedding day coverage. It was truly an honor.

xo,

Cami