Winter Engagement Photos: A Day at Rock Creek Park DC

winter engagement photos in a grassy field at Rock Creek Park at sunset

couple takes winter engagement photos sitting in a grassy field at Rock Creek Park

Even in winter, the city of Washington, DC is still worth visiting. Though there are fewer hours of sunlight, the city has a beautiful calm when it’s quieter and less crowded. While I love the city when it is busy and booming, I can still appreciate the calmness of those snow-covered streets. It is possible to get around in the wintertime if you are prepared! Follow the fun we had for these winter engagement photos at Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC.

couple embrace while taking winter engagement photos at sunset

Rock Creek Park DC: Why I Keep Coming Back

When it comes to an ideal outdoor photo destination in DC nothing beats Rock Creek Park. The light, the colors, and accessibility even within a city always inspire me to return! These are some of my favorite features when capturing engagement photography at Rock Creek Park:

couple kiss while taking winter engagement photos by bridge

THE LIGHT: it has the prettiest light shining through the trees especially at sunset.
THE COLORS: you may think that winter makes the outdoors have a dead or unappealing look. But, I love the more monochromatic browns and reds and how they play with that warm, golden light. This moves the focus onto you and allows for more variety in your engagement outfits.

THE EASE: easily accessible with no permit requirement and lots of substitute location options in the area. It is located directly within the city so traveling to a more urban secondary location is always an option!

couple embrace while taking winter engagement photos in a grassy field at Rock Creek Park at sunset

couple kiss while taking winter engagement photos by bridge at Rock Creek Park

This is a photo location that is for couples no matter the occasion. For many locals the destination is a regular part of their daily life including taking their dog on walks or enjoying picnics there during the summer. Including a location like this one that is tied to your own love story is always so special!

couple embrace while taking winter engagement photos

couple embrace while taking winter engagement photos by the creek

Rock Creek is also perfectly primed for wedding day portraits when a couple is otherwise spending their entire wedding day at an indoor DC wedding venue. It easily provides a different vibe when you’re going for a more urban wedding day. Some of my couples even make the park their elopement ceremony or portrait location as a part of their elopement timeline.

couple hold hands walking along grassy path

couple hold hands walking along grassy path at sunset

If you’re already getting married in the city, the park is an option to get out in nature without having to go on a longer drive!

couple hold hands while walking by the creek

couple embrace in a grassy field at sunset

Getting the Best Look for Your Winter Engagement Photos

For Nara and Derek, this was the chosen destination to show off their love in these winter engagement photos. Yes, they were captured in winter and yes, it was cold. If you can accept this reality then we can still make your time enjoyable!

couple embrace in a grassy field at sunset while taking winter engagement photos

couple hold hands while walking along path in Rock Creek Park

The couple accomplished staying warm by embracing cozy sweaters and switching between several looks for their engagement shoot outfits. A simple way to change your look during the colder seasons is by layering or changing your outwear and accessories (hats, gloves, scarves, etc). These can easily change a couple’s look without having to do a full outfit change.

couple embrace while taking winter engagement photos at Rock Creek Park

You can go with brighter colors to contrast the neutral background or pull colors from nature like these two did for a cohesive look. Nara and Derek went for modern neutrals with a casual look for the first location and dressier for the second. We went to these two locations for variety and the looks made for a great romantic, cozy vibe as the sun set through the trees.

Bringing the Fun Along to Your Winter Engagement Photos

Nara and Derek are more introverted so providing them with a private space in the park rather than a populated area like the National Mall fit them best. But, they were really down for anything. They are both such playful people and getting them to be a little silly easily brought out their personality.

couple play around tree while taking winter engagement photos

couple hold hands while walking along in a grassy field taking winter engagement photos

couple sit together and kiss in a grassy field

Ever since they started dating they have spent quite a bit of their time together traveling across the United States. Local dates involve trying out restaurants and visiting local farmers’ markets or arcades. It only made sense to celebrate these winter engagement photos in their beloved city!

couple hold hands in a grassy field taking winter engagement photos

couple pose in a grassy field taking winter engagement photos

The couple had instantly connected with my editing style, loving how it matched their introverted energy. Couples like these always warn me that they will be shy in front of the camera and we always find a way to get comfortable together. Nara and Derek are really fun people and I enjoyed simply spending the evening together getting to know them before their big day!