Everyone takes engagement photos at the DC monuments, and at this point it’s practically a rite of passage for getting married in Washington. While you can totally head to the Mall to snap some pics of your and your boo looking cute in front of some marble columns, to get the very best photos, you’re going to want to follow the advice below from Terri Baskin of Terri Baskin Photography.
Start your session just before sunset.
The best times of day are 90 minutes after sunrise and 90 minutes before sunset. You’ll capture the soft, rich glow of the sun, and can shoot daytime and sunset looks within a small window of time. The monuments can be crowded on weekend evenings, so opt to schedule a sunset shoot on a weekday.
Or, arrive before sunup.
Early morning sessions let couples catch the beauty and stillness of the area before tourists start to show up. This time of day also allows for silhouette photos—dark outlines of the couple who can be framed by the landmarks.
Go for glam.
Buy that gorgeous dress you’ve had your eye on, or rent a gown from Rent the Runway. The monuments offer a clean, classic backdrop for the photos you’re taking, and dressing up lets your photographer create engagement images that can later decorate your home.
Think beyond the most popular sites.
The Einstein Memorial is nearby the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The World War I Memorial is another beautiful, less-traveled location, and it’s not far from the Lincoln Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Another gem is the steps of the Supreme Court. The court is just across the street from the Capitol, so a short walk yields a choice of backgrounds.
Get the big picture.
The Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol are popular for pulled-back “environment” photos. I’ve also used the King Memorial and the Washington Monument. These photos are best taken at sunrise because there aren’t as many people around. The couple will look like they’re the only ones there.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
