Spring Engagement Session at the National Mall in Washington DC
This engagement session with Elizabeth and Zach at the National Mall was so much fun! These two even brought their fur babies which always makes for a good time!
Elizabeth and Zach met in college through mutual friends. Though they didn’t like each other at first, the universe had other plans for them and they soon became inseparable. That was 8 years ago and this year they officially got engaged (yay!)
If you are still looking for the perfect location for your engagement photos, take a look at my list of the best engagement locations in Washington DC.
Want Natural Looking Engagement Photos? Here’s a Tip
For their engagement session, Elizabeth and Zach just wanted to have fun! They didn’t want to stress over whether or not they looked awkward in their photos or feel like their photos were overly posed. As a Washington DC engagement photographer, I want all my couples to feel happy and relaxed in front of the camera, so for this session, we came up with an idea to help Elizabeth and Zach feel completely at ease and that was to include their fur babies! They brought along their two adorable pups who were so well-behaved and made the photo session even more fun and relaxed!
Why the National Mall Makes for the Best Engagement Session Location
I may be biased, but Washington DC is a beautiful city! At the heart of the city sits the National Mall, a beautiful park filled with historic monuments and architecture. This area is beautiful to visit for any reason, but especially if you are planning an engagement photo session. You can stroll the tree-lined sidewalks, visit your favorite sites, and simply enjoy all the beauty this city has to offer! Some of my favorite locations for engagement photos in downtown Washington DC are:
Jefferson Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
WWII Memorial
Washington Monument
Park & Reflection Pool
Photo Permits for the National Mall: how to Get One & How Much it Costs
Most of the land in downtown Washington D.C. is owned by the National Park Service (NPS). This means that in order to get professional photos taken, you will need to obtain a photo permit. The cost to obtain is currently $140 (note - this may be subject to change) and applications should be submitted at least 7 days prior to your photo session though they can be submitted up to a whole year in advance.
One important thing to note is that blanket permits for the entire National Mall are not issued, so you will need to include a list of the exact location(s) you are going to visit in your application and additional fee(s) may be required.
For more information about obtaining a permit for the National Mall, visit the NPS website.
