How A Nightlife Photographer Invented A Proposal Planning Business In New York

Have an idea or tip? Send us a text! A musician’s tour, a borrowed camera, and a rowboat on Central Park’s lake: that’s the unlikely path that led Ash Fox from nightlife photography to building a full-service proposal planning studio in New York. This interview digs into how a niche chose her, why proposals feel more honest than weddings, and the exact steps that turn a fantasy location into a smooth, unforgettable yes. Fox breaks down the difference between a proposal photographer and a proposal planner, and why most couples actually need both. She shares candid stories about early gear mistakes, the collapse of the rock revival scene, and the moment she realized proposals required coaching, logistics, and decoys as much as lenses and light. You’ll hear how she guides clients away from crowded icons like the Brooklyn Bridge into vantage points that protect privacy, control timing, and preserve the surprise. We also explore how Instagram and TikTok changed expectations, when to add video, and how to build decor that matches the couple’s personality rather than chasing trends. With more than 3,000 engagements planned and photographed, Fox offers practical advice on booking timelines, private rooftops, and what to do when your partner plans everything. She’s frank about viral “no” videos, why they’re often staged, and the real markers that a relationship is ready for marriage.Mediaclip Mediaclip strives to continuously enhance the user experience while dramatically increasing revenue. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Independent Photo Imagers IPI is a member + trade association and a cooperative buying group in the photo + print industry. Photo Imaging CONNECT The Photo Imaging CONNECT conference, March 1-2, 2026, at the RIO Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, N Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Sign up for the Dead Pixels Society newsletter at http://bit.ly/DeadPixelsSignUp. Contact us at gary@thedeadpixelssociety.com Visit our LinkedIn group, Photo/Digital Imaging Network, and Facebook group, The Dead Pixels Society. Leave a review on Apple and Podchaser. Are you interested in being a guest? Click here for details. Hosted and produced by Gary Pageau Edited by Olivia Pageau Announcer: Erin Manning