Central Park's Most Romantic Spot

     It was November 13th and I get a  call from Ryan a High school friend who has some wonderful news!   He found his true love who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with!   He was planning on proposing while on a day trip to New York on Thanksgiving eve with his girlfriend Nicole and had thought of me and my photographic services to really make this day something to remember!  I was thrilled and said yes I would love to help document this day which you will remember for always!
  
     Few days before our journey to NY I look at the weather and realize were looking at showers and thunderstorms all day!  I let Ryan know and we still keep our plans and hope for the best!  As a mainly portrait photographer I am use to being involved with directing my shoot with my clients to be able to capture the best images.  With the weather being so iffy Ryan and I began to start brainstorming other ideas to capture this wedding proposal!
    Together we finally we come up with a brilliant plan which went something like this.....

Operation Proposal

 10:15 I arrive at Central Park and I begin to ask for more directions on how to get to walk to Wollman Rink.
10:25 I arrive to Wollman Rink to discover due to the massive amounts of rain the previous night the rink was not open!  I text Ryan immediately to let him know.  I continue to await Ryan and Nicoles arrival to the Rink
11:05  I spot Ryan from affar I have my 70-200mm paparazzi lens ready to go and be far enough away they couldnt see me!  I begin to photograph them looking at the beautiful view from Wollmans Rink of the Plaza hotel!

11:10 Ryan and Nicole begin to wander around Central Park.  Mind you we are flying by the seat of our pants now with our plan!!!!  The ice was closed, so now what!!!!!!   I continue to stalk the couple hiding behind tree's, and rocks trying to get some awesome candid shots.  I had to be very careful while following them in central park because if my cover was blown and Nicole saw me, then the next part of Ryan's surprise would have been ruined.

11:20   After Ryan and Nicole take several photos together they proceed and continue walking around Central Park...Little does Nicole know that she is being followed by a photographer that her soon to be fiancee hired to come to NY with them! 

11:30  The 2nd part of the plan is to check out the Belevdere Castle.  I find out from a woman who sees me acting suspicious with my camera (who i did explain what I was doing there) that the Castle is within walking distance and the subway would take just as long as walking.  I text Ryan this info!





 12:00  We make it finally to the Castle!  It is still pouring rain and we arrive to find a overhang to get out of the rain.  However over 3 dozen other children on a school trip found this overhang as well.   Again I am wondering how this is going to work.   I see Ryan and Nicole arrive to the same overhang.   I get my camera out and my phone out and pray that these kids will LEAVE ASAP!!!   My prayers were answered they left immediately!    SHOW TIME

I look down at my phone and start to appear upset and anxious!  Ryan and Nicole are down a few steps looking out over the beautiful landscape over central park and the New York city skyline!  I speak up to them and say "Excuse me...Hi I know this may sound kinda weird, but I was wondering and hoping you two can help me out!."  As they near closer I introduce myself "Hi I'm Amy.  I'm a freelance photographer here in NY and I was contracted to photograph a few of the Top Romantic locations in Central Park for a local blogger.  I was suppose to meet a couple here that just told me now that they couldn't make it due to the weather!  I really need to get these photos to the writer of the Blog by tomorrow and I'm out of time to make anything else work!   You two are a cute couple do you think I could take a few shots of you guys here?  I'll certainly share them with you too online! 
12:05  Ryan and Nicole look at each other, smile and respond with "Sure why not!"   I get their names and I begin to start to pose them and take a few different shots under this awesome overhang!

12:10 Then we take a walk down to below the castle and I find this great curved walkway with the most beautiful wood fence ever!  To top this romantic location off was that there was still a few yellow leaves stuck to the tree hanging over the walkway, as well as, leaves lining the path which popped out against the wet damp pavement!   We were still taking photos as were all talking about the day and the rain, and how they were supose to be ice skating!  I elaborated how I have postings on Craigslist to help find work and that's how I got this assignment with this blogger.

12:12  After some great shots, I arrange them for the last shot.  I was doing a depth of feild shot I told them where Nicole would be posed up front and be in focus and Ryan would be in the distance out of focus!  Ryan knew this was his Que it was time!!!!  As I'm taking these photos Ryan is digging deep into his pocket and pulling out the ring and sneaking up behind Nicole who is posing perfectly for my shot!

12:14  As I tell Nicole I got the shot and I look down at my camera, she turns around to look for Ryan.  She finds him on one knee with a beautiful ring in his hand!  I then proceed to continue to photograph the big moment unfold!  Ryan says to Nicole " Nicki you are the most amazing person in the world to me. I am completely in love with you.  I cannot imagine not seeing your smiling face each and every day for the rest of my life!  I'll always be there for you.  I vow to do whatever it takes to make you happy, and keep you safe. Will you Marry me!"

12:15  Nicole is crying and saying "Yes"  I yes am still taking photos!  Nicole looks over at me then at Ryan and says "Did you plan this?"  "Do you guys know each other?"  Ryan and I respond with "No we don't know each other"  I say "OMG I didn't know what was going on, I just saw Ryan on his knee with a ring and I just kept snapping... Ryan did you have planned to propose today!!!?"   Ryan responds with a smile on his face from ear to ear " I had planned on being on the ice right now with you and doing it then, but then when it was closed I didn't know what I was going to do.  Then when Amy came along I just thought on my feet and thought this would be pretty cool."

We take a few more celebratory photos before "Amy the NY Photographer" departs to leave the two love birds to enjoy the rest of their day! 
In the following weeks I had made a fake email account for "Amy" to email the images to Nicole and Ryan to have for the holidays to show to their families, so my cover wasn't blown!

All time favorite shot!!!  Love everything about it!

   
For a whole month Nicole has believed that I really was just a photographer who really lived in NY who just happened to be involved in her wedding proposal!  Nicole will be opening a book that Ryan and I had put together for her to open tonight on Christmas Eve which will reveal our surprise for the best romantic proposal and Christmas gift ever rolled into one!  Nicole, I cannot wait to meet you again and introduce myself as Rachel Beck potentially your wedding photographer!!!  I loved being a part of this special occasion and I would love to continue to document the unfolding of your future life together!  Merry Christmas!