Philadelphia Proposal Photographer

Surprise proposals in Center City, Rittenhouse, the riverfront and Fairmount Park. You ask the question. I stay out of sight. We plan the whole thing on a call first.

Tell Me About Your Proposal

Proposing in Philly? Here's How I Work It

I've been photographing surprise proposals for 21 years, from home base across the river in Mount Laurel, NJ, and I've shot 500+ weddings along the way. In Philadelphia I've hidden on the W rooftop in December, worked a proposal into a family reunion at The Rittenhouse, and photographed one inside the Union League.

The city is actually a great place to hide. There are people everywhere, so one more person with a camera doesn't stand out. Most of the work happens before the day, though. We hop on a short call, pick the spot and the time, and figure out how you're getting your partner there without tipping them off.

Philadelphia Proposals I've Photographed

The W Philadelphia Rooftop, Center City

Surprise proposal on the W Philadelphia rooftop, down on one knee with the Center City towers behind

This is the coldest proposal I've ever photographed. Matt proposed to Kim on the rooftop of the W in December. It was 12 degrees with gusts of 30 to 40 miles an hour, and she was completely surprised anyway. From up there you've got City Hall and the Comcast towers all around you. With wind like that, keep it simple. Get down on one knee, let the skyline sit behind you, and don't overthink it.

The rooftop has to be planned with the hotel ahead of time. The staff at the W were great about keeping it quiet. Downstairs there's Stevens' Prophecy, a blue room hidden behind the front desk, and it's the perfect place to go right after with some champagne. Matt also had friends and family waiting across the street at Del Frisco's for a surprise engagement party.

Read Matt and Kim's W Hotel rooftop proposal

The Rittenhouse, Rittenhouse Square

Surprise proposal in the middle of a family reunion portrait at The Rittenhouse in Philadelphia, the family cheering

Bronze statue in front of The Rittenhouse hotel entrance on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia

A family that lives all over the world picked The Rittenhouse for their yearly reunion. We did their portraits in the courtyard beside the hotel, and in the middle of the big group photograph, one of the guys slipped out of the frame, came back around the side, and went down on one knee in front of his girlfriend. About three people knew. You can watch it travel through the rows in the photographs, front to back. Then everybody moved inside to celebrate.

Couple reaching for each other and laughing in front of the lit holiday tree at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia during their winter engagement session

Couple sitting on the stone balustrade beside the park kiosk in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, during a fall engagement session

The square itself works for a proposal too. My favorite spot is the back corner on the left when you're facing the hotel. A few things I tell everyone:

Check what else is booked in the park that day. A farmers market, an art show or a festival leaves no room for the moment and nowhere for me to stand.
Go on a weekday, and skip lunchtime.
When it's windy, the wind whips through the square harder than anywhere else in the city. Dress warm and keep the moment short.
Park at the garage at 1845 Walnut Street, half a block off the square.
The holiday tree goes up every year. Last season it was lit on Friday, December 5, so pick a weekday after that and skip the crowd.

When your hands give out, walk into the hotel. The Library bar has live jazz, and Lacroix is right in the building.

Read the family reunion proposal at The Rittenhouse

Planning it in the square itself? Here's how to plan a surprise proposal at Rittenhouse Square.

The Union League

Newly engaged couple on the curved front staircase of the Union League of Philadelphia on Broad Street after their surprise proposal

If you want something indoors and a little formal, I've photographed a proposal inside the Union League, in the library, and I've photographed weddings there too. The interiors photograph beautifully.

Read the whole story: Mark and Kaitlyn's surprise proposal in the Union League library.

The Philadelphia Zoo

I've had a couple propose while feeding the giraffes, and it's the coolest thing ever. You can ask the zoo about setting that up. Go on a weekday so it's quieter, and have an excuse ready for why you're both a little dressed up. The zoo needs to give explicit permission for commercial photography, so I call them first.

More Philly Spots I'd Send You To

These are places I've photographed engagement sessions and weddings, not proposals. I know where the light is and where I'd stand.

Race Street Pier

The Ben Franklin Bridge fills the frame right beside you, with Center City behind. I've photographed engagement sessions and wedding portraits on this pier. Go on a weekday evening, 30 to 45 minutes before sunset. There's no cover anywhere on the deck, so if it rains, there are giant doors right under the bridge that look great on camera. Check the pier's event schedule too. They run yoga and workout classes out there, and you don't want to propose in front of a hundred strangers.

How to plan a surprise proposal at Race Street Pier

The Fairmount Water Works and the Art Museum

Engaged couple on the Fairmount Water Works terrace, with the Water Works buildings, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Philadelphia skyline behind them

Engaged couple walking the garden path behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art during their engagement session

Engaged couple inside the Eagle Pavilion at the Fairmount Water Works, looking out over the Schuylkill River

The Eagle Pavilion at the Water Works is a great place to ask, with Boathouse Row on one side and the Art Museum on the other. There's also a newer little bridge and flower garden area behind the Art Museum, off to the right, and if you keep going down the steps there's a spot overlooking the water. The back of the Art Museum steps works too, but be careful about crowds.

On weekends, watch for weddings. Cescaphe hosts weddings at the Water Works all the time, and if there's one that day, they have the space and they'll ask you to move. I've photographed engagement sessions all over the Water Works and the garden behind the museum, and at sunset the Water Works faces west with nothing in the way.

The Rodin Museum

Bride and groom standing in the open iron gates of the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, black and white

A really cool spot to propose. The Rodin Museum has those big iron gates and a reflecting pool out front. I've photographed wedding portraits there.

A summer wedding with portraits at the Rodin Museum

The Rail Park

Rusted steel swing frames and wooden bench swings on the Rail Park elevated walkway in Callowhill, Philadelphia

The Rail Park is a really cool place to propose. It's an elevated walkway built on an old railroad line, with a rusted metal map sculpture near the entrance, big industrial swings at the end, and stairs down to Callowhill Street. I photographed an engagement session there. One heads-up: if there's any wind in the city, it gets louder up there as it whips between the buildings.

An engagement session at the Rail Park

Belmont Plateau, Fairmount Park

Engaged couple on the hilltop lawn at Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park with the Philadelphia skyline over the trees

Engaged couple embracing on Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park with the Philadelphia skyline behind them

The whole city skyline sits over the trees. Time it with the sunset, and parking is easy. I've photographed engagement sessions here.

A note on permits. Rittenhouse Square and Fairmount Park are city parks, and the city wants at least 14 days to approve a permit for engagement and other professional photographs. That's the first thing we figure out together, before you lock in a date.

Proposing when it's cold out? Here are the best places to propose in New Jersey and Philadelphia when it gets cold.

How a Surprise Proposal Works With Me

You Reach Out

Send me the basics: when, where, and any ideas you have. No plan yet is fine. That's what I'm here for.

We Build the Game Plan

We hop on a short call and go through the spot, the timing, your cover story and a backup plan. If family is coming, I'll get one person on that side briefed so everybody knows where to wait.

I Mark Your Spot

About an hour before, I'm on site reading the light, the wind and the crowds. Then I mark your exact spot and text you a photograph of it with the landmarks in frame, plus which entrance to come in from and what I'm wearing.

I Disappear

I'm in position before you get there, shooting with a long lens. My team and I dress to blend in.

They Say Yes

After the moment, I come out and we do portraits right there. Sneak peeks go out within hours so you can share the news, and your full gallery is ready within a couple weeks.

If family is meeting you after, they have to listen, hide, and not show up early. If they get there before you ask, your partner spots them, the surprise is over, and they end up in the background of every photograph of the moment. After the yes, bring everybody in.

What the Guys Say

Jordan created the most perfect day for my now fiancé and I! He made the process so seamless and stress-free and brought our proposal to life, providing us with the most beautiful photos that we are so grateful to have for the rest of our lives. From the logistics of the special day to the amazing photos that come out of it, if someone is looking for a photographer for their proposal/engagement, I couldn’t recommend Jordan enough!

Thomas

Read Thomas & Jenna's Asbury Park proposal story

Jordan did an absolutely amazing job with the photos for my surprise proposal. We knew we might get bad weather, so Jordan helped me come up with multiple backup plans ahead of time. It ended up pouring rain all night, and I can't say enough good things about how amazing the pictures turned out. He perfectly captured the romance of the moment and made it feel even more special for us as we looked back at the photos afterwards. I would highly recommend Jordan Brian Studios to anyone with an upcoming proposal!

Zack

Read Zack & Skyler's rainy Bay Head proposal story

Investment

Custom Collections

Tailored to your proposal, every one is different

Detailed planning call to map out every detail
Completely discreet, hidden coverage of the proposal
Sneak peek photographs delivered same day
Full online gallery for downloading and sharing
Portraits right after the moment, or a full portrait session if you want more
Video coverage available as an add-on

Get Your Custom Quote

Every proposal is unique, so every collection is built around yours.

Planning a Philadelphia Proposal?

This stays between us. Your partner won't know a thing.

Your message goes straight to me.

Questions I Get About Philadelphia Proposals

How much does a proposal photographer cost in Philadelphia?

Every proposal is different, so I build a custom collection around your spot, your timing, and whether you want photographs, video, or both. Tell me the plan and I'll go over the options with you on a short call. Proposals are paid in one payment, in full, when you book.

Where should I propose in Philadelphia?

It depends on your partner. For a skyline and a warm room after, the W rooftop with Stevens' Prophecy downstairs. For a classic city park, Rittenhouse Square on a weekday. For the bridge and the river, Race Street Pier about 30 to 45 minutes before sunset. For something quieter, the Eagle Pavilion at the Water Works or the garden behind the Art Museum.

Do I need a permit to propose in a Philadelphia park?

For the photographs, yes. On city park property like Rittenhouse Square and Fairmount Park, the city wants at least 14 days to approve a permit for engagement and other professional photographs. Race Street Pier, the W and the zoo each have their own rules, so we check with them first.

How do you stay hidden in the middle of the city?

I shoot with a long lens from a distance, and in Philly there's always crowd cover. I'm in position before you arrive, and I text you a photograph of your exact spot ahead of time so you're not looking around for me.

How far ahead should I book?

Ideally two to four weeks. I've pulled off proposals with about a week's notice. If you want a city park, give us at least the 14 days the city asks for on the permit.

What if it rains?

We plan a backup on the call. At Race Street Pier, the giant doors under the Ben Franklin Bridge give you cover. At the W, Stevens' Prophecy is downstairs. At Rittenhouse, the hotel is right there.

Can our families be there?

Yes, as long as they stay out of sight until after the yes. Matt had friends and family waiting across the street at Del Frisco's, and at The Rittenhouse the whole family was in the shot.

How fast do we get the photographs?

Sneak peeks within hours, so you can share the news right away. The full gallery is ready within a couple weeks.

Do you do video?

Yes. You get to hear the gasp and the yes. Video is available as an add-on.