A Rittenhouse Square Surprise Proposal | Carly & Zack

Most engagement sessions begin pretty simply.

I spend the first few minutes getting to know the couple a little better. I’ll ask questions like, “How did you meet?” “Who said I love you first?” “Who is the better cook?” or “Who’s messier?” The goal is to help everyone relax, create some natural laughter, and capture genuine reactions before we really get started.

This session was a little different.

I was contacted by Zack’s mom, who I actually went to high school with. She connected me with Zack, and together we planned every detail of a surprise proposal at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, from the perfect location to the best angle for photographs.

Carly and Zack were visiting the Philadelphia area from upstate New York and had no idea that this trip was about to become even more memorable.

As they walked through Rittenhouse Square with friends and family, I blended into the crowd and waited for my cue. The moment they reached the spot we had planned, I hurried into position and promptly bumped into a woman while raising my camera to my face. I apologized repeatedly, and thankfully she was completely fine.

Just seconds later, all of my attention turned to Zack and Carly.

As Zack got down on one knee, Carly’s expression immediately changed from surprise to pure happiness. Friends and family gathered in the background, watching the moment unfold and celebrating right along with them.

Of course, she said yes.

As friends and family smiled, cried, and embraced, I glanced away from the newly engaged couple and noticed all of the different reactions unfolding around them. I immediately started capturing those moments.

In that instant, I was reminded why I do what I do. It’s not only about preserving memories of the couple, but also preserving moments for the couple.

They didn’t see Grandma wiping away tears. They didn’t notice Mom quietly sobbing or Dad proudly looking on. But one day, when they look back through these photographs, they’ll get to experience those moments too.

After the proposal, Zack shared one more surprise. I was there not only to photograph the proposal but also to capture an engagement session around Rittenhouse Square.

One of Carly’s friends had even packed a dress for her to change into. The only problem was that there wasn’t exactly a fitting room nearby.

Without missing a beat, friends formed a human shield so Carly could change while Philadelphia’s finest stood nearby and made sure everything was safe. It was one of those funny, unexpected moments that made the entire experience even more memorable.

We spent the next hour wandering through Rittenhouse Square and taking advantage of everything the area has to offer. The beautiful colors, interesting textures, and leading lines around the square created the perfect backdrop for photos.

Meanwhile, their family and friends stayed nearby, soaking in the excitement of the day and celebrating the newly engaged couple.

From a carefully planned proposal to an impromptu changing room in the middle of Philadelphia, this session had a little bit of everything.

Most importantly, it was a beautiful reminder that the best moments are often the ones filled with surprises.