Meet Shannon and Jared

Jared and Shannon met a few years ago, and from the start, it was clear how beautifully they complement one another. When Jared reached out to me, he asked for help planning a special day in New York City—a day that would end with him proposing to Shannon. He wanted it to be unforgettable, full of moments they’d cherish forever.

As we talked through the details, I asked Jared to share something Shannon truly loves. Without hesitation, he told me she adores amusement parks. Inspired by that, I mapped out a plan to capture portraits of the couple in several iconic spots across Manhattan and Brooklyn. While I initially aimed for six different locations, I quickly realized we couldn’t possibly hit them all in one day—but what we did capture was magic.

We began our day at the picturesque Bow Bridge in Central Park. Afterward, we made a quick stop at their hotel so Shannon could change into more comfortable shoes. Once we were back on the street, Jared mentioned he was craving a good bagel—so off we went to Ess-a-Bagel. We all enjoyed delicious bagels piled high with cream cheese and Nova lox. Just thinking about it makes me hungry again!

Next, we headed to the iconic Coney Island. WOW. Shannon lit up the moment she saw the rides, the boardwalk, and the energy of Luna Park. She and Jared jumped right in—playing games, enjoying the rides, and soaking up the fun. And yes, Jared even won a stuffed animal for her!

We wrapped up the day with a final stop in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The backdrop of the Manhattan Bridge, the cobblestone streets, and the golden hour light were the perfect ending to a magical day.

In my 30+ years as a photographer, I’m not sure who had more fun—me or them. Shannon and Jared, thank you for trusting me to be part of such an important chapter in your story. It was truly an honor to capture your love as you take this next step together.