West Village Proposals: Palma’s Aperitivo Room
Last Updated on March 9, 2025 by Erin Donahue
Imagine this: You’re walking into what you thought was a regular night out in the West Village for dinner. But as you step foot inside an Italian restaurant, you’re greeted by a beautiful candlelit room adorned with bouquets of flowers everywhere. Before you can process the scene, there’s a diamond ring in your face, a girl with a camera in the background (me), and suddenly, you’re saying yes!
This magical scenario is one I’ve had the privilege of capturing time and time again at my most frequented proposal location. Hidden on Cornelia St. in the West Village is the beautiful Italian restaurant, Palma. Its aperitivo room is, in my opinion, the prettiest room ever for this type of occasion. The restaurant is always decorated to fit the season, providing a perfect backdrop for these life-changing moments.
Beautiful low-light challenges
As a photographer, it’s always a joy to be chosen to capture these special memories. There’s something truly magical about being present for such intimate and emotional moments, discreetly documenting the surprise, the tears, and the joy that unfolds.
While Palma NYC is my most frequented venue and I’ve pretty much got my set-up down pat, photographing here always presents a challenge due to its lighting. What looks romantic in person with all the flowers and candles is a photography headache because there isn’t much light to work with. Whenever I arrive, I ask the staff if they can turn up the lights, but even then it’s never enough. To combat this, I push the ISO pretty high, and in the past, if the quality just wasn’t right, I would ask my clients to reenact the proposal so I could snap them with a flash!
This particular proposal was unique. It was the first time I had a client who only wanted the paparazzi shots and then wanted me to immediately skedaddle after. However, since I always aim to deliver a full gallery, I still did some directing, such as capturing detail shots of the ring and photographing the couple when the champagne came out. This approach ensures that even with challenging conditions, I can provide a comprehensive set of memories for the couple to cherish.
Getting Frequent Bookings As A Proposal Photographer
My past couple of clients who have proposed at Palma have found me through my YouTube Shorts recapping my time photographing the venue. This highlights the importance of casting a wide net that’s searchable with SEO. When looking for a photographer, explore various platforms – websites, social media, and video content.
Review their work
Look for photographers who specialize in proposal photography. Their portfolio should demonstrate their ability to capture candid, emotional moments in various settings. Once you’ve found a photographer whose style you like, contact them. As an NYC-based photographer, I’ve had the honor of capturing these special moments across the city, and it means a lot to be trusted with this responsibility. A good proposal photographer will work with you to plan the perfect moment, suggesting ideal locations and helping you coordinate the surprise.
Remember, these photos will be cherished for a lifetime. Investing in a professional photographer ensures that you’ll have beautiful, high-quality images to relive your special moment for years to come.
If you’d like professional photos of your proposal in NYC, don’t hesitate to reach out!
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is the creative studio of Erin Donahue, offering photography, videography, and content creation services for brands, hotels, tourism boards, and publications.
Based in New York City, but available globally, this multi-disciplinary digital creative left a career in the hedge fund space to pursue her passion as a travel and brand photographer, creating imagery that resonates with audiences. She approaches every project with a focus on storytelling, producing visuals that engage and inspire.
Her work has been commissioned by brands like Sony, Apple, and Google, and the content she has created has reached millions across social media.
To keep up to date with everything she shares, follow along on social media and read up on what camera gear she uses to capture the shot.
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