Proposing in NYC in Bad Weather (Do It!)
“What do we do if it rains?” This is a very valid question I often get when planning proposals. While we typically view bad weather in a negative light, I’d like to propose (pun intended) a new outlook - embrace the rain! There are so many reasons why rainy weather proposals are often my very favorite to shoot. Here’s why you should get excited if ominous skies are on the horizon:
A more intimate experience:
When the rain falls, most people hurry inside. What’s left is a more private and intimate scene for you and your partner. Locations that are typically jam-packed with people are suddenly empty. The fastest city in America slows - it’s your world! One of the biggest challenges of NYC proposal planning is how to manage and maneuver crowds. Once the weather turns grim, that becomes one less thing to worry about.
Uniform lighting:
It’s all but universally accepted that the best lighting for any sort of portrait photography is golden hour, when the sun provides soft, flattering light. Even better is when you and your partner are backlit by the sun, creating a truly magical visual experience.
You’re probably wondering what sunlight has to do with rain - since after all, rain almost always means overcast skies (complete cloud cover), so the sun is out of the equation.
Well, what if I told you that there’s a dark side (pun intended) to golden hour lighting - that being, it reduces the compositional options you have for photos. For example, if you’re on the Brooklyn waterfront during evening golden hour, you’ll have excellent lighting coming from the west (Manhattan side), and thus we’ll want to photograph you in that direction. However, you might find a composition or scene you like to the east, but since you’ll no longer be backlit by the sun, the light might not be as flattering.
Okay, it’s taking me a while to get to the point here - that is… bad weather produces uniform lighting. Since the sun’s lighting is not going to be a factor, we can basically shoot anywhere, in any direction, and your photos will be very consistent.
So, in summary:
Is golden hour the best lighting? Yes, I’d say so.
Does bad weather and full cloud cover produce the most consistent experience and open the door to the most possible opportunities? Yes, as well.
Creative Photo Opportunities:
Trust me when I say us NYC photographers love puddles and wet foregrounds. There’s something so fun about using a puddle to photograph the city’s most iconic buildings and structures, creating a super cool mirror effect. This photo of the Manhattan Bridge was taken using a small puddle that formed on a cafe table during harsh rainfall (by the way, this is one of the most tourist-heavy streets in the city). In this weather, it was nearly empty:
And this photo was taken on that very same day, just minutes prior:
Definitely incorporate puddles and reflective surfaces into your proposal shoot - it will result in truly extraordinary images!
A Unique Story to Remember:
Lastly, what a one-of-a-kind New York City moment this could be. No crowds, roaring thunder, maybe even some umbrella props. For years to come, you’ll remember the story - “My partner had this wild idea to go into Central Park in the pouring rain and ask me to be the one forever. We were soaking wet. It was amazing!”
Rain or shine, if you’re thinking about a New York City proposal, please get in touch!
