Photographing a Proposal at Awosting Falls Minnewaska State Park

By Jonathan Ment

My first photography session at Lake Minnewaska State Park took place at the top of the park beside ‘Lake Minnewaska.’ It was early fall and was for a surprise proposal.

Pinning down the exact desired location with Nick was a little tricky.

Somewhat humorously, we kept in touch from the moment he and Casey parked while he settled on a spot and advised of his proximity.

Casey would later say ‘I wondered why you were on your phone the whole walk.”

I was immediately struck with the beauty of the location on a peak color day in October … the lake… the views… the fall foliage… all of it, and I congratulated the couple on their timing for the day they made it ‘official!’

Things were a little different with Douglas and Chinta.

For starters, Douglas would be asking for Chinta’s hand at the bottom of the park, beside ‘Awosting Falls.’

Beyond that, unlike Nick and I, Douglas and I never spoke before the big day. All arrangements were handled by a relative on his behalf.

I’ve been booked by friends a few times, siblings a few more but mothers are the most common, even sometimes booking the wedding photography.

But back to Awosting.

I hadn’t been to the falls recently and had to refresh my memory on which entry to use as well as where to park for the most efficient access. I would be, as is common for these sorts of sessions, in position as much as a half hour early to accommodate possible early arrival and eliminate the need to stall.

I generally mill around the appointed area posing as a nature photographer, a tourist or on one occasion earlier this year, a hiking guide. I play at taking photos, while in reality, I’m choosing my angles, checking the lighting and considering the options.

Douglas was almost two hours late…

I had a long time to consider the options for this one.

The family arrived pretty much right on schedule though. They set up shop with some streamers and balloons a little past our mark and mostly out of sight, except for the sign they hung up at the base of the waterfall!

How will this be a surprise if the scene is so marked, I wondered?

How can I help explain the sign to the park worker who asks me if I know who hung the prohibited item up? … I’ll do what I can …

Two hours is a long time to stand around looking casual with your finger on the shutter release waiting for a surprise proposal to occur with a young couple you’ve only seen in a photograph from a romantically lit restaurant.

But what choice does an engagement photographer have? I’d driven a bit to be there. They were no doubt on their way (sometimes in touch with the family about traffic delays, but subject to the same lack of cellular coverage that exists for everyone at Minnewaska.)

I waited and waited and coerced the park worker away from the sign.

Then they arrived. Young, beautiful and dressed in black and white – a fact the family had tipped me off to, which helped at the crowded base of the falls where an international array of visitors had gathered.

We didn’t initially capture photos in the spots I’d selected in my own mind, everything happened rather quickly, as tends to happen with proposals. Once Douglas spotted me, he barely assessed his surroundings and got right to the business of proposing. Eventually we did pose for a few shots in all of the beautiful ‘spots’ – even below that sign hung by the family.

Then we stopped for a few more posed and candid shots along the route back to the vehicles where we gathered for some family portraits on a nice country road.

This was a much longer session than originally booked, though we agreed to a mutually palatable addition to the rate on site, it was nowhere near what the long afternoon would have cost if booked ahead of time.

“No worries,” I said, as I have in the past under similar circumstances. The mother thanked me profusely for my patience and professionalism.

The day you propose should be special and light, fun and beautiful. I love photographing proposals, engagements and save the date sessions because it’s typically just the couple and me, (although sometimes the whole family and decorations to boot!) in the moment, and it’s great to share those moments.

Are you over the falls in love and ready to pop the question. Let’s capture the moment that journey begins…

You can email, or text: 845 430 4030 to get started, or even dial that phone to chat!  I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks as always for reading,

Jonathan Ment Photography