Love was definitely in the air on the rooftop of The Curtiss Hotel! Neil executed the perfect surprise for Brittany, setting the scene with romantic rose petals and chilled champagne before dropping to one knee. After presenting the ring for a tearful “yes,” Neil had one more trick up his sleeve. To Brittany’s delight, their family and friends rushed out to surprise the couple, turning the intimate moment into an instant celebration. They spent the rest of the evening enjoying a wonderful engagement party overlooking the city. It was a joyous night marking the beginning of their next chapter together.

The lighting on the Curtiss Hotel rooftop is absolutely incredible during the day. Whether you are inside the glass-enclosed lounge or stepping out onto the open-air terrace, the entire space is bathed in gorgeous, directional sunlight. As a documentary photographer, this abundance of natural light is a dream. It allows me to shoot quickly and unobtrusively, meaning when that split-second surprise happens, I can capture every genuine reaction and joyful tear with crystal-clear, true-to-life clarity, without ever needing to rely on a flash.

Just moments after we finished taking portraits, Neil had one more massive surprise up his sleeve. The elevator doors to the rooftop lounge opened, and their closest family and friends joined them out onto the terrace to celebrate. As a documentary photographer, capturing a two-part surprise like this requires careful logistical planning behind the scenes. I always work closely with my clients beforehand to map out exactly where family members should hide, when they should make their entrance, and where the best light will be when they do. By pre-planning this choreography, I ensure I am in the perfect position to document the raw, emotional reactions of the couple turning around, without ever missing the joyous, tear-filled faces of the parents and friends rushing in to hug them. It instantly turned an intimate moment into an unforgettable rooftop celebration.

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