Engagements
The season between the yes and the day
I am an engagement photographer in Northern Virginia, and I love photographing sessions and celebrations everywhere from the monuments in DC to the places the two of you actually spend your time together.
Two ways this usually goes
- An engagement session
- An hour or two with just the two of you. Before we choose a spot, we sit down and talk about the look you are going for, your outfits and details, and the overall vibe you want your photos to have. I always encourage couples to pick somewhere that means something to them, like the neighborhood you met in, a monument at golden hour, or a trail you walk every weekend. If you have never been photographed together before, it is also the best practice there is for your wedding day.
- An engagement celebration
- If your families are throwing an engagement party, I will photograph it with the same care and attention I would give a wedding. That means the details you planned, the people who came to celebrate you, and all of the little moments between toasts that nobody thinks to ask for.
An engagement session can be added to any wedding collection. If you are planning both, just mention it when you reach out and I will include it in your guide.
Where to have your session in DC and Northern Virginia
The best location is always the one that feels like the two of you, but here are a few places couples have chosen recently.
- The Lincoln Memorial
- The marble columns, the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument, all in one place. Maryann and Samuel, who met in a Christian dance group, danced between the columns with the whole National Mall stretching out behind them, and it was such a joy to capture.
- Westfields Marriott in Chantilly
- Mariam and Thomas took their save the date photos here, moving from a grand piano by the window to the gilded mirror in the lobby and out into the garden. It is a beautiful place for that classic, film, vintage look.
- Your engagement party
- Lavina and Youssef's celebration in Hampton had a short and beautiful ceremony, touching speeches from friends and family, and a cake with their monogram in gold. Celebrations like that deserve to be remembered just as much as the wedding.
Recent sessions & celebrations
Questions couples ask
How long until we see our photos?
Your gallery is delivered 4 to 8 weeks after your session or celebration.
When is the best time of day?
Usually the hour or two before sunset, when the light is soft and warm. For busy places like the DC monuments, early morning works beautifully too, with far fewer people around.
Can we use these for our save the dates?
Yes, and so many couples do! Mariam and Thomas even brought a Save the Date sign to theirs. If that is your plan, just let me know when you reach out. You can also add a session to any wedding collection.
Do you travel for sessions?
Yes. I photograph sessions across Northern Virginia, DC, Maryland and Richmond, and farther when the place matters to you. Travel is built into the collection I put together for you.
How do we book?
I send over a contract and a deposit, and once both are in, your date is held. Before your session we will have a planning call to settle on the place, the time of day and all of the details.
Let's find a place that means something to you.
Reach out