S/O places to take photos...

SwizzleStiX

We were originally planning to do photos down at the Mall. I figured we'd either scoot around the "permit" thing, or the photographer would handle it - not so.

First off - anyone know exactly how much it costs to get the permit?

Secondly - I'm now a little worried about timing. We have a LARGE group (total of 22 in the BP) and we have about an hour and a half. The ceremony is in Georgetown and the reception is in Arlington - Ft. Myer, so they are both relatively close together. Any ideas on places for a large group to take photos that might be closer to Gtown and/or Ft. Myer?

tmjackson

Washington Harbor which is right in G'town might be a good spot.  Or even have the photog set up pics on a G'town neighborhood street since it is an historic neighborhood.  Check in to taking pics around the Kennedy Center or Old Town.  If your FI is in the military, every branch has a military memorial now (although Navy's is in downtown DC).

SwizzleStiX

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_dc_places-photos?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:57Discussion:7441b620-7ea0-4242-b7f0-f75fcf92c1afPost:8bbd98ce-5381-4b9e-94cd-347ef013cc24">Re: S/O places to take photos...</a>:
[QUOTE]Washington Harbor which is right in G'town might be a good spot.  Or even have the photog set up pics on a G'town neighborhood street since it is an historic neighborhood.  Check in to taking pics around the Kennedy Center or Old Town.  If your FI is in the military, every branch has a military memorial now (although Navy's is in downtown DC).
Posted by tmjackson[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the reccs. FI is not in the military (my dad is) and I work right next to the Navy Memorial, and it's not much to take pictures at, unfortunately.

Maybe we'll just take a stroll down in Gtown and see if there's anything accomodating.

AlexaGrant

How do they require a permit for wedding pictures on the mall while there are millions of tourists taking millions of pictures there?  Does the permit allow you to close the area off for pictures so you don't have the tourists walking in front of the camera or photo bombing?

ToHaveandToHoldForever

Go down by the canal in Gtown!  It's beautiful!  I love the city street shots as well.  I would recommend you looking at the Iwo Jima/Netherlands Carillon area right outside of Ft. Myer.  That hill overlooks the entire city and you might be able to get shots of downtown without being downtown.  Or even scout out a hill in Ft. Myer - I know it sits a little higher up.

If your wedding is in the summer, I would not mess with trying to do anything downtown anyway.  The traffic and tourists would be a headache to deal with and probably put more stress on your already short timeframe as is.  I think you can find a great place in Arlington or Gtown close to one of your venues.

CaraDonna

If you don't mind driving a little, you could always take some at the waterfront in Old Town or at National Harbor.  I had my engagement pics taken at National Harbor and they turned out great.  I think there are enough spots in and around Georgtown that you can get some great shots at though   I can't think of any places near Ft. Myer that are particularly scenic...

snydera

The National Park service told me this past fall that you need an individual permit for each memorial area and that the prices for the permits themselves vary.  They require a permit because they see the photos as being professional shots.

Most of the the permits will not allow you to take photos within the monuments, such as the Jefferson and the Lincoln.  The permit states that no photos may be taken from the steps up.  Now, I have seen many couples with pictures taken above the steps, most likely a park employee was not around.

Other suggestions:
Along the canal; On the bridge next to the tidal basin that looks over at the Jefferson; The Spanish Steps at 22nd and S.