Couples Photoshoot Ideas: Where to Look for Top Indoor Locations

couple poses in front of flowers at National Gallery of Art

While I love the outdoors both within and outside of the city–from Shenandoah to Rock Creek Park–sometimes, it’s better to photograph the great indoors! The expansive DC Metro Area boasts of so many sites steeped in U.S. history from landmarks and mansions to museums and gardens. My favorites offer both indoor and outdoor options, but, when you are looking solely for the interior, I have some spots to recommend! Here you will find my top couples photoshoot ideas for your own indoor session!

Weather Guides For How to Photograph Every Season

couple embraces in the National Portrait Gallery

I’m here to prepare you for a session either indoors or outdoors no matter the weather. While the indoors can be ideal during rainy or colder seasons, this doesn’t mean we can’t make the outdoors work! Only due to extreme weather such as high heat or drastic drops in temperature do I ever suggest we stay completely indoors. Below are my weather guides for photographing every season both inside and outside in the DC Metro Area:

couples photography ideas in between portraits

couple kisses in the National Gallery of Art

Top Tips for DC Metro Area Couples Portraits Destinations

couple and wedding party pose under arches

There are still many other reasons besides the weather to pull us inside! More than just a rain plan, places such as the Washington, DC museums offer great variety in a single location. Be aware that in popular spaces there will be other people in the space especially on weekends. We must allow extra time in the timeline to account for these potential delays. This is particularly important when doing bridal portraits outside of your venue on the wedding day.

couple kisses in front of the National Cathedral

Even for these often high-tourism spots, we can still find ways to capture your love while avoiding the crowds. Sometimes it is a waiting game since it’s harder to avoid larger groups completely. We’ll try for an indoor atrium or courtyard that offers more open space. I’ll often steer my couples to the ends of hallways too where windows provide beautiful lighting.

couples photoshoot ideas in front of large windows

In general, when going for indoor couples photoshoot ideas, it is best to take these pre-sunset so we can incorporate the natural light coming in from the windows. It’s important to keep this timing in mind especially during late fall and winter when the sun sets early. Spaces like museums often do not allow flash photography so it’s crucial to not miss the light!

couple photoshoot ideas at the Library of Congress

Some locations will have restrictions on where or during which hours we can shoot so I will check for appropriate permissions and permits first! When flash photography is allowed it can be fun to incorporate it into the shots too.

couple embrace while looking at portrait

couple photoshoot ideas in the garden at the National Portrait Gallery

I also advise when doing wedding portraits with your wedding party in the city that you travel via bus or shuttle to avoid anyone getting lost and delaying the timeline. It’s best to stick together!

couple pose with wedding party in the Walters Art Museum

Where to Go For Your Indoor Couples Photoshoot Ideas

couple photoshoot ideas inside the Rawlings Conservatory

National Gallery of Art – Washington, DC

couples photoshoot ideas with portraits in the National Gallery of Art

couple walking around the gardens holding hands

Uniquely Offers: No permit required, classic and modern sections with stonework in the garden areas.
Pro Tips: Expect crowds on the weekends. It is a large museum so figure out your priority spaces for the session.
Favorites: These two concentrated on areas with florals as well as paintings to both tie in and contrast their Iron Gate Restaurant DC wedding.

National Portrait Gallery – Washington, DC

couple sitting and laughing in front of large portrait

Uniquely Offers: Variety of spaces! It has gardens, traditional paintings, hallways, staircases, unique architecture, and areas for aerial photos. There is also a coat check with lockers you can rent.

couple photoshoot ideas in the National Portrait Gallery

Pro Tips: No permit required, prepare to wait for crowds to clear allowing for a lot extra time on the weekends. Photos work best with just the couple within the artwork display areas. The garden atrium is large enough for group photos when there isn’t an event happening.
Favorites: Art, atrium and hallway offering three different indoor and outdoor options.

detail shot of staircase railing in the National Portrait Gallery

National Museum of Women in the Arts – Washington, DC

detail shot of the inside of the Museum of Women in the Arts

couple embrace among a gallery of portraits

couple photoshoot ideas in the Museum of Women in the Arts

Uniquely Offers: Open floorplan, grand staircases, lovely windows throughout, usually less crowded compared to other museums. You can also have your wedding here!
Pro Tips: Must reserve a photo session generally for a Monday time slot when the museum is closed. Photoshoots are limited to the Great Hall and Mezzanine and cost $300 per hour.

Washington, DC Bonus Spots:

couple embrace in front of the Library of Congress

couple sit on ledge in front of the Library of Congress

Library of Congress: Requires staff approval. Classic DC look with large windows and beautiful arches. Beautiful exterior as well!
National Cathedral: Neo-gothic style cathedral. Permit is $250/day with at least two weeks notice.
St. Francis Hall at the Franciscan Monastery: Stonework and high ceilings, beautiful gardens with covered archways for rain protection. Permit required.
Outdoor But Covered: Jefferson Memorial and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

couple and wedding party pose in front of the National Cathedral

couple pose in front the archways of St. Francis Hall

Walters Art Museum – Baltimore, MD

couple photoshoot ideas inside of the Walters Art Museum

Uniquely Offers: Very European vibes. Even with a larger wedding party, we had plenty of space. It was a great spot to work with!
Pro Tips: Coordination is required for commercial photography.

couple holds hands while walking down the stairs

Baltimore, MD Bonus Spots:

couple photoshoot ideas inside of the Rawlings Conservatory

Rawlings Conservatory: Greenhouse–all windows with a beautiful exterior as well as interior. Variety of tropical and desert plants. Permit required.
George Peabody Library: Fairytale library perfect for a variety of couples photoshoot ideas for both indoor and outdoor options. Requires staff coordination.

couple poses in front of the Rawlings Conservatory

Virginia Destinations

couple poses among the hanging lights in Dominion Lighting

Oatlands – Leesburg, VA: Greenhouse that almost feels like you’re outside, not climate controlled but will block wind or rain.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens – Vienna, VA: Two-hour photography sessions are available for $50 + the cost of admission for each guest. Indoor and outdoor gardens with a large atrium for weddings and portraits. Also includes 95 acres of woods with florals and greenery.
Dominion Lighting – Chantilly, VA: Get creative with indoor location options like this couple did for their first look!