Locations for an engagement shoot?

gopherette06

Now that we have booked a photographer for our wedding, my fiance and I are trying to find a great location in the DC area to do our engagement photo shoot.  Does anyone have any good ideas?  While the monuments seem like a cool idea, photographers have cautioned us against shooting there as it requires a permit and the park police will actually chase you!

Thoughts?

antoniabalazs

Pick somewhere that means something to you.  This is what our photographer said to me about location for what she calls 'creative shots' of our wedding.  (She has the coolest wedding photos of a couple on Grand Central Station).

I think she's right - figure out somewhere that resonates with you.  

LoveMuffins

My FI and I did a GORGEOUS one in the gardens behind the little Smithsonian castle. Also, just standing in the middle of the mall you can get a gorgeous shot with the Capital Building as a background. There's also ice skating going on in the sculpture garden right now, which would be really pretty. Even just the steps of some of the museums would be really pretty.

My new favorite backdrop is from the balcony on the top floor of the Newsuem, but that also requires buying tickets for it =P

t3gray

What about the following:

The National Harbor
Brookside Gardens

rpersica

I saw a couple taking some in the U.S. Botanical Gardens next the Capitol. It is beautiful in there! I'm not sure if they also require permits.

I didn't realize pictures at the monuments require permits. I got engaged at the Lincoln Memorial and would definitely like some engagement and/or wedding pictures there. Does anyone know how you go about getting permits?

smayerrd

The gardens at the National Cathedral require no permit and are fantastic!

Lisa50

We had ours taken at the waterfront in SW DC.  Of course, it was spring.  Good luck!

gopherette06

Thanks for the advice and recommendations.  I gues we have a little bit of time to think before it gets warmer.

Re: the permits.  Every photographer we met with told us about the permits.  They should be able to tell you how to get them or atleast tell you where to look.  If your photographer doesn't mention the permit, be careful.  You can also try the national park service website at www. nps.gov.  I hear it is difficult so if this is what you want, you have to be patient :-)

[Deleted User]

Glen Echo is the best.

M

meaganB12

I like Glen Echo too.. I really recommend the waterfront in Georgetown/ historical canal area.. its so quite and beatiful if you can do your shoot during the week with less tourists..

Hopeful1!

meadowlark gardens in vienna/tysons

fchan1

we had our engagement shoot at the national habor back in late july. we did it right after a huge storm and the setting was fantastic - the sky was blue with some clouds, the crowds had cleared out, and the temperature was actually tolerable. there were great settings and our photographer did a great job. you can see our pics on our website if you'd like, link below.