How to Pick a Full-Day Experience for an Engagement Photoshoot
I’ll go where you go! The best feature of capturing an engagement session in Washington, DC is the fact that you can enjoy more than one spot! Britta and Reid spent their time in the city visiting spots meaningful to their love and relationship. See all the places we can go for your own engagement photoshoot!
A Place That Best Fits The Two of You
The first question I ask my couples is to tell me about themselves. This can include their love story, how the proposal happened, and anything they want to share about their fur babies. If the couple doesn’t have ideas already, this is what guides the suggestions I provide for their engagement photoshoot locations. In hearing your story, I love discovering what first drew you together and what you’ve grown to enjoy as a unit.
Reid is a librarian so these two really wanted to represent that in their engagement photos. That is what brought us to the Library of Congress. The library is closed on Sundays which was to our benefit since it meant we could photograph the exterior free of crowds.
If you opt to shoot at sunset like we did, check the library’s event schedule to find some happenings that are held after hours. This would give you access to amazing light and interior shots within the same evening visit. I also suggest sunrise as a gorgeous alternative!
Where We’ll Go for a Washington, DC Engagement Photoshoot
I knew from the beginning that Britta and Reid really wanted to hit at least two engagement photo locations in DC. We coordinated with the open museum hours to catch the National Portrait Gallery (no permit required) followed by the Library of Congress during golden hour.
It is important to remain flexible when planning to capture multiple locations in DC. We also cannot rush once inside of the museum since we have to wait for visitors to clear each area before shooting. I definitely suggest carrying one light bag if you have a change of clothes as we will be setting it down along the way. These two did two different outfits!
Below is the timeline I provided for their session, and I always recommend doing a little date night dinner or drinks afterwards!
Multi-Location DC Engagement Photoshoot Timeline
- 5:45 PM Meet outside of the Portrait Gallery.
- 6:00-6:45 PM Photos in the Portrait Gallery.
- 6:45 PM Head to the Library of Congress.
- 7:00 PM Sunset photos outside of the Library of Congress.
- 7:45 PM Blue hour photos as the sun sets.
No Matter The Place, It’s The Two of You That Make the Session
Even though I regularly frequent the city for an engagement photoshoot or other sessions, the couples I capture make it feel different every time. Having met in grad school, Britta and Reid fell in love while going on adventures, driving around, and introducing their three cats to each other!
As DC locals, the couple knew that their engagement photos had to take place somewhere in the city. They fully trusted me and we worked together to find details and areas within the Portrait Gallery that personally drew them. It is a big museum so it’s impossible to see everything!
- Garden area with greenhouse vibes
- Landscape paintings (that these two love!)
- Epic ornate interiors
- Library room
It also mattered to them that we photographed candids that showed off their personalities. They took my directions for movement and just fully embraced having the best time skipping, twirling around, and exploring! Britta and Reid were seriously so much fun!
Vendors
Destination | Library of Congress
Destination | National Portrait Gallery
Photographer | Shelly Pate Photography
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