More Places to Capture Engagement Photos in Capitol Hill DC

couple embrace standing in front of Lincoln Memorial

couple walk along path with Capitol Hill DC in the background

couple embrace while sitting drinking coffee

When finding a spot for engagement photos in the city, we don’t have to look very far. These two chose to capture their love around their own Capitol Hill neighborhood. In the heart of historic Washington, DC, the area provides plenty of engagement session spots! See the places we found at this Capitol Hill DC engagement!

couple embrace with their Washington DC neighborhood in the background

couple kiss on the steps of Capitol Hill DC

**When Capitol Hill DC Is The Place To Be**

The best thing to do at your engagement photoshoot is to be yourself. Choosing a location or activity that’s already familiar is the easiest way to feel comfortable in front of the camera. For some couples, that’s inside of their home. For others, it means taking a trip down memory lane at meaningful locations within your own neighborhood.

couple walking in the grass with Capitol Hill DC in the background

couple embrace under clear umbrella surrounded by pink flowering trees

couple kiss outside coffee shop with coffee in hand

We can visit the spot from your first date, go to your favorite cocktail bar, or I can follow you as you enjoy an activity like hiking. Whatever you decide, the choice is yours, and I’m ready to come along for the ride with my camera in hand.

couple embrace on the steps of Capitol Hill DC

detail shot of couple holding hands showing off engagement ring and the Capitol building in the background

Emily and James opted for exploring various destinations all found within their Capitol Hill DC neighborhood. Having been together for six years already, these two expressed how they “love exploring new restaurants, traveling, rooting on DC sports teams, and reading on the couch.”

Through their engagement photography, they wanted to “memorialize the feeling of a specific moment in time,” while having “fun in the moment and getting pictures that capture our love.” In our time together we did just that!

couple embrace under clear umbrella with pink flowering trees around them

couple pose in their Washington DC neighborhood

detail shot of couple's rings and coffee cups

A Day Together That Starts With Drinks For Two

couple talking while sitting drinking coffee

couple pose while sitting drinking coffee

An engagement photo session is all about capturing the present moment in your lives before the big moment where you start this life together. Lincoln Park is one of the nearby spots where Emily and James daily spend time playing with and walking their two-year-old rescue pup, Hank. He had to be excluded from the wedding day to save the wedding dress due to his love for digging in the dirt. It was so wonderful having him for their engagement instead because they love him so dearly. Including your dog at a winter photoshoot is always a golden moment!

couple poses with their dog during engagement session

See Emily and James’ Big Day at the National Arboretum!

couple poses in front of National Arboretum columns on wedding day

couple kiss with the meadows in the background of their National Arboretum wedding

Another local spot visited weekly is their favorite coffee shop, Wine & Butter, also found beside the park. These two love the outdoor seating even during the wintertime decorated with twinkle lights and florals. While we had some specific stops selected, we also made our time flexible so the couple could wander around freely.

couple embrace outside coffee shop with coffee in hand

This freedom allowed us to discover a little garden along the side of the Senate Office Building with trees covered in pink buds similar to the DC cherry blossoms. You never know what you will find especially in the winter until you explore!

Making Outdoor Winter Engagement Photos Work

Emily and James wanted to be outdoors while remaining inside of the city so we were lucky that this February day wasn’t super cold! The couple found their own coziness by bundling up in their coats and embracing the wind as a part of the feel of this time of year.

couple pose in the grass with Capitol Hill DC in the background

Outerwear and accessories are my favorite for adding variety to your engagement outfits without having to do a full outfit change. Layering is also easier than carrying around a variety of looks and needing a spot to change. Emily switched between two jackets and a sweater, while James changed between two shirts and removed his jacket at one point. Emily later changed into a dress worn with her long sweater for shooting in front of the U.S. Capitol itself.

Another fortunate feature of photographing within the Capitol Hill DC neighborhood is not having a need for permits since these are all public spaces. While it’s less crowded this time of year, we may need to allot extra time for crowds to vacate especially if we’re shooting during sunset. Find out how to stay warm at your own outdoor engagement session!

couple kiss in front of Capitol Hill DC building

A Love Made in Capitol Hill DC

Having met in college, the two went their separate ways and reconnected again later through mutual friends. With a shared love for the little things, they wanted to look back and remember that “we always made each other laugh and approached life honestly, as partners.”

couple laughing while sitting drinking coffee

couple walking holding hands in Lincoln Park

couple embrace in front of Capitol Hill DC

Looking for photos that were both candid and polished, capturing these moments was so natural to them. They are literally so fun to photograph! Both Emily and James have such easygoing personalities and we could not have had more fun talking about our favorite spots in the city.