A "Reading Date" Turned Proposal in Prospect Park


Some of the best proposals don’t require elaborate setups or big gestures, just a thoughtful idea and the right timing. Bill’s proposal to Juliana in Prospect Park was the perfect example of that.


On a sunny mid-March day in Brooklyn, Bill told Juliana they were going to check something off their 2026 bucket list: spending time reading together in the park. The couple has a 2026 bucket list and reading in the park was on there. Since they live nearby Prospect Park and the weather was just starting to get warm again after a brutal winter, it felt like a completely natural suggestion.


In fact, Juliana was so unsuspecting that she even had her laptop out doing a bit of work while sitting on their picnic blanket. It was such a real, everyday moment, which made what happened next even more special. When Bill asked her to stand up, she didn’t think much of it at first. But within seconds, everything shifted. As he started to get down on one knee, it clicked, and the look on her face said it all.


Pure shock. Pure joy. Completely unfiltered emotion. She kept expressing how surprised she was for several moments and truly could not believe it!


Moments like that are why I love photographing proposals. There’s no recreating that kind of reaction. It only happens once, and it’s always a little different for every couple! Some partners are shocked and can't even believe it, while others start crying immediately.


After the proposal, we spent time walking through Prospect Park, capturing portraits that felt relaxed and true to their dynamic. The park is such a great location for proposals because it offers so much variety: open fields, tree-lined paths, and quieter corners that still feel connected to the energy of the city.


To make the session even more personal, we walked back toward their apartment and took photos on their block, including a few right in front of their building. I always love when couples incorporate meaningful locations like that because it adds another layer to the story and makes the photos feel even more reflective of their lives intertwining.


Their relationship story makes this moment even sweeter. They met at the University of Notre Dame in November 2020, both originally from the Chicago suburbs. After spending two years doing long distance, Juliana moved to New York for medical school at SUNY Downstate, and Bill followed in May 2025 so they could finally be in the same place.

This proposal felt like the start of a new chapter—not just an engagement, but the continuation of a life they’ve already worked so hard to build together.

A man in jeans proposes on a picnic blanket to a woman who looks totally shocked in Prospect Park.
A couple shares a romantic kiss on a sunny winter day in a park with bare trees in the background in Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
A couple shares a tender moment together outdoors during a winter engagement photoshoot in Brooklyn, NY.
A series of hands exchanging a small object in a close-up sequence of photos.
A black and white candid moment of a shocked new fianceé clutching her face in surprise right after she gets engaged with her fiance smiling
Couple walking and laughing together in a winter park with bare trees in the background in Prospect Park.
Black and white romantic photo showing a couple sitting together on a picnic blanket during a proposal session in Prospect Park.
Couple lounging together on grass in casual outfits and sneakers during outdoor photo session.
A gold engagement ring with a light blue stone sits in an elegant wooden ring box with white satin lining.
A couple sitting on a bench shares an intimate moment together on an autumn day in casual attire.
Two people in casual attire playfully run and chase each other across an open field on a sunny day.
A series of black and white romantic photos showing tender moments between a couple in an outdoor setting.
A couple shares romantic moments in a winter forest setting while sitting on a wooden bench.
A couple in casual attire walks hand in hand along a wooded path in three sequential photos.
Close-up sequence showing hands holding and working with a small round clay pot or vessel.

Getting ready to propose?


If you’re thinking about proposing in NYC and want something that feels simple, personal, and completely genuine, Prospect Park is such a great option.


Don't forget to hire a photographer to capture the moment! Reach out to me with any details of your proposal that you have planned and I will get in touch with you in the next 24 hours!