Lincoln Memorial Engagement Photos

Maryann and Samuel sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, looking out at the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool

Maryann and Samuel seated together looking down the National Mall toward the Washington Monument

Maryann and Samuel walking hand in hand between the columns of the Lincoln Memorial

Samuel twirling Maryann between the columns of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument behind them

Samuel dipping Maryann for a spin between the Lincoln Memorial's columns

Maryann and Samuel mid-dance move between the columns, the National Mall stretching out behind them

Samuel twirling Maryann as her dress catches the movement, framed by the memorial's columns

Maryann and Samuel leaning against a column at the Lincoln Memorial, smiling at the camera

Maryann and Samuel embracing in front of the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool

Maryann and Samuel holding each other close, the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool behind them

Samuel carrying Maryann in his arms at the top of the Lincoln Memorial steps, the Washington Monument behind them

Maryann and Samuel embracing beside a column with the Washington Monument in the distance

Close-up of Maryann's engagement ring as she reaches toward Samuel

Detail of Maryann and Samuel's clasped hands showing her engagement ring

Close-up of Maryann's hand on Samuel's arm, her ring and his watch visible

Samuel lifting Maryann off the ground between the memorial's columns

Maryann kicking up her leg as Samuel lifts her between the columns, the Washington Monument beyond

Samuel kissing Maryann's hand as she reaches out to him between the columns

Maryann and Samuel gazing at each other between the memorial's columns

Maryann laughing on Samuel's back as he carries her, the Potomac visible behind them

Maryann's engagement ring displayed in its open ring box on the Lincoln Memorial's marble steps

A close-up of Maryann's diamond engagement ring in its open box

Maryann and Samuel sitting together, tiny beneath the Lincoln Memorial's towering columns

Before every engagement session, I sit down with the couple and just listen. I am a quiet person by nature, but these conversations always get me excited, because this is where I learn who a couple really is and how they want to remember this season of their lives. With Maryann and Samuel we talked about the location, their outfits and details, the shots they had in mind and the overall feeling they wanted their photos to have. As soon as I heard how they met, through a Christian dance group, I knew dancing had to be at the heart of the session, because it is the very thing that brought them together.

That turned out to be the best decision we made. Maryann and Samuel love to dance and they are really good at it, and within minutes of starting they were showing me some of their moves between the columns. Most couples need a little time to get comfortable in front of a camera, but Maryann and Samuel skipped that part completely, because dancing gave them a language they already shared. Every twirl, dip and lift felt like a conversation between the two of them, and my job was simply to keep up, cheer them on and capture it.

An engagement session at the Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial suited them perfectly. It is grand and open, with the National Mall stretching all the way out to the Washington Monument, and it gave them all the room they needed to move. Some of my favorite moments, though, are the quiet ones in between, when they sat on the steps to catch their breath or held each other with the whole city spread out in front of them. The dancing shows what Maryann and Samuel can do together, and the stillness shows how much they love each other.

I treat every couple I photograph with love and respect, and I always try to make their session feel like something special rather than just a photo shoot. For Maryann and Samuel, I hope these photos bring back the feeling of being completely themselves, side by side, doing what they love most with the person they love most.

Maryann & Samuel

An engagement session at the Lincoln Memorial