How to Capture Washington DC Cherry Blossom Photos in Spring

There’s nothing quite like Washington DC cherry blossoms in the spring. Their serene beauty encompasses the Tidal Basin with blooms followed by petals covering the ground like snow. The three phases of the flower’s buds, blooms and falling petals are all worth enjoying and photographing! This is my expert guide to getting the best Washington, DC cherry blossom photos for your portrait session.

Washington DC Cherry Blossom Photos: Where to Begin

Whether you are a visitor or a yearly enthusiast, there is so much to enjoy within the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC. The event runs for four weeks every spring filled with activities celebrating the beauty of the blooms. The city is overwhelmed by a sea of pink with a parade, opening events, auction, art show, kite festival, 10-mile race and the BloomFest along the Tidal Basin. 

While the festival is fun and definitely worth experiencing, it also draws in crowds that makes capturing cherry blossom pictures more challenging. That is why we come prepared with a plan to optimize the blooms for the best photos possible! I’m happy to not only be your photographer, but also your guide to your ideal DC cherry blossom photos. 

Where we go and how we guide your experience depends upon the type of session we are capturing: engagement photos, family portrait photography, or a couples session with your pup! We begin with general guidelines to optimize your experience that apply to any type of session. I will provide you with all that you need for a successful DC cherry blossom tour!

Where We’ll Go For DC Cherry Blossom Pictures

Spring photo sessions with the cherry blossoms are for everyone! These sessions are generally located around the Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park (Hains Point), or Near the Capitol. I recommend keeping groups smaller with a max of five people due to the crowds and limited space especially along the Tidal Basin. Primarily I stick between the Tidal Basin and Hains Point which have some different pros and cons:

Tidal Basin

1. PROS: the blooms are gorgeous reflecting off the water with the iconic monuments in the background: Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Yoshino Cherry trees bloom here for about 7-10 days and are actually more white than pink. 
2. CONS: this is the iconic cherry blossoms location so it can be very crowded and difficult to find parking so I only offer sunrise sessions here. 

Hains Point

1. PROS: the location usually blooms two weeks later than the Tidal Basin with its Kwanzan cherry trees that are a deep pink color. The puffy, sturdier blossoms withstand wind and rain better and bloom for about a week. You are still along the waterfront and the look is more of a cherry blossom forest. 
2. PROS: it’s usually not as crowded as the Tidal Basin and parking can be much easier to find. It’s great for any sized group but particularly families with kiddos and/or pups!
3. CONS: really the only downside is that you miss having the iconic Washington, DC background to your photos.  

How to Prepare For Your Cherry Blossom Portraits

While I can offer the best practical tips and tricks for your entire cherry blossom experience, the best piece of advice I provide is to have the right expectations. No matter how much we prepare, we cannot always predict what the crowds and weather will do. 

These photo sessions generally fall between late March and early April which means it can be very cold. Your best bet is to be as flexible as possible: it might be warm or it might be very cold–spring is so unpredictable in DC!

I also cannot guarantee blooms as much as I would like to have that power! The peak bloom period is always a little unpredictable. The prime period can change at the drop of a hat depending on weather patterns including windy days that can cut the timespan short. There is a Bloom Watch with live cameras that monitor the bloom progress!

These are my top tips for DC cherry blossom photos:

1. SUNRISE: this is a must in order to avoid crowds! I have also done late sunset sessions at Hains Point post peak bloom time.
2. CLOTHING: you will wear one outfit because there are not many changing areas and it is very crowded. It is best to keep everything as simple as possible! I recommend neutrals, greens, blues, and pinks. Here’s my full guide on how to dress for outdoor sessions in every season!
3. WEATHER: spring weather can fluctuate but unless there is a downpour, we will embrace the rain. I have cute clear umbrellas we can use and a bonus to the rain is that fewer people are around! If we have an intense rainstorm or the weather is unsafe, we will do our best to reschedule. The wind can sometimes blow the blooms away so we can embrace a general spring flowers vibe for your session instead!

What to Expect For Your DC Cherry Blossom Photos

For cherry blossom engagement photos or other types of sessions, I generally offer a full 45-minute session that includes the following: 

• One Location (Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park–Hains Point, or Near the Capitol).
• 30+ Photos (all of your best ones!), high resolution digital downloads from an online gallery + the option to order prints.
• Photos ready in 15 days.
• For couples who would like to use this as the engagement session included in their wedding package, that includes 1.5 hours of coverage so we have time for multiple areas around the Tidal Basin and National Mall. We can also do the cherry blossoms in addition to a secondary nearby location. 

I love every stage of the DC cherry blossom bloom from the fallen petals to the variety of looks between budding flowers and full blooms! No matter the stage or look of the blooms themselves, we will capture amazing DC cherry blossom photos for you!

Vendors

Destination | Washington, DC National Cherry Blossom Festival
Photographer | Shelly Pate Photography

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