One of the reasons I love calling (and photographing) the DMV (Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia) my home is that the area has a plethora of versatile locations, making each session I photograph truly unique to the couple.
Locations such as the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Old Town Alexandria, etc., are all beautiful and popular for an engagement session, but I wanted to create this guide to include even more potential locations you might not have known existed in this area.
Keep reading to discover my favorite, unique spots for engagement photos in Washington, DC and the DMV area.
5 Unique Locations for Engagement Photos in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia
Here are my one-of-a-kind, top recommendations for engagement locations in the DMV area:
Blagden Alley
Blagden Alley is a beautiful historic district in Washington, D.C. that’s located in the Shaw neighborhood, and there’s so much to explore here during your engagement session. This spot also has a lot of history, which you can learn more about here if you’re interested!
The alley has charming carriage homes, historic buildings, brick-paved streets, and colorful murals painted on garage doors throughout.
It might be the perfect place for your session if you’re looking for a location with an urban vibe and that is full of color and character. One of my favorite spots to photograph in Blagden Alley is in front of the iconic LOVE Mural by Lisa Marie Studio, which celebrates love in all of its forms.
While you can plan your session in Blagden Alley at any time of the year, I find this spot to be particularly beautiful in the fall with the brick and golden fall foliage as your backdrop.
Jones Point Lighthouse
Jones Point Lighthouse is a charming small river lighthouse that you’ll find on the Potomac River in Alexandria and is located in Jones Point Park. Jones Point Park is also located right next to Old Town Alexandria, where I also recommend taking some of your engagement photos!
The light in the lighthouse was first lit in 1856, and in 1986, the lighthouse was officially restored as a museum. This lighthouse is different from others because it looks like a small cottage, and it also happens to be the last remaining riverine lighthouse in Virginia.
I love this lighthouse because of the versatility it offers – you can take pictures with the lighthouse, next to the open field, on the trails, and next to the river. This spot is truly enchanting at sunrise and sunset!
Tudor Place
Tudor Place is a gorgeous federal-style mansion in Washington, D.C. It is in the heart of Georgetown and is 5 ½ acres of lush gardens and sprawling grounds.
Something important to note about this location is that they do require you to have a photography permit for your engagement session. All photography permits must be booked at least two weeks in advance of the requested permit date.
Tudor Place is a romantic, dreamy location for your session with a variety of beautiful backdrops to work with. You can take photos in the enchanting gardens, in front of the mansion, next to the pond covered by a canopy of trees, just to give you a few ideas.
Since Tudor Place is in Georgetown, you can also incorporate more locations (although just spending time at Tudor Place is sufficient)! In Georgetown, you’ll find gorgeous cobblestone streets, lots of color, texture, and an abundance of ivy.
Additional charming spots in Georgetown to include in your session:
- Book Hill Park
- Dumbarton Oak
- C&O Canal
Great Falls
Great Falls is a series of rapids and waterfalls on the Potomac River that are only a 30-minute drive from Washington, D.C. You can access this spot from Maryland and Virginia!
If you stand on either side of the river, you’ll be in a different state. It’s a stunning spot that also happens to be an 800-acre park. On the Virginia side, you will find rapids and waterfalls with rocks, panoramic views, and even a forest with a meadow! This would be a fun spot for an adventure engagement session.
On the Maryland side, I recommend checking out the Great Falls Tavern area, which has an overlook of the Falls, the canal, and towpath along the Potomac and is a quieter, tranquil spot for photos.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s biggest library, founded by John Adams and located in Washington DC. The library is a gorgeous spot for an engagement session, both inside and out, especially if you and your partner love books, architecture, and history.
This is another spot that requires a photography permit if you want to have your session here, and you can only reserve a 45-minute photo session at the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building on select Mondays.
Inside the building, make sure to take photos in the second-floor corridors overlooking the main space! If you are only taking photos outside of the building, I highly recommend planning your session early in the morning, as there aren’t as many people milling about, parking is much easier, and you’ll have stunning lighting to work with.
Metropolitan Branch Trail
Stretching through the heart of Washington, DC, the Metropolitan Branch Trail offers industrial charm, vibrant street art, and green park spaces—making it a unique location for engagement photos. Tree-lined paths are adorned with colorful murals, and nearby Alethia Taylor Park provides the lush greenery set against a backdrop of historic architecture.
The historic bridges and rail infrastructure give a modern as well as timeless feel, pulling in the energy of a city engagement session, with scenic nature spots along the trail.
And to celebrate the end of your engagement session stop along one of the many breweries, with my favorite being Lost Generation Brewing Company.
Ready to Plan Your Engagement Session in the DMV Area?
Hopefully, you found this info on unique spots for engagement photos in Washington, DC and the DMV area helpful – and maybe even found your dream location for your session!
And… if you’re still looking for a DMV wedding photographer, I’d love to connect! My approach to your engagement session starts with understanding what—and who—matters the most to the two of you. When you hire me to photograph your engagement session, we’ll sit down to figure out how to tell your story and what photos are must-haves so you can have the best session (and experience) possible.
You can learn more about my services here or get in touch with me here!
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