Romantic Summer Photos at the Lincoln Memorial & Constitution Gardens
Philicia and Stephen’s engagement session in Washington, DC was the perfect blend of architecture and nature, iconic DC views with a garden finale. Since they live in the city, they wanted their engagement photos to reflect their home and I love a location choice like this one. We started near the Lincoln Memorial and ended at the Constitution Gardens, giving them both dramatic architectural backdrops and soft summer greenery.
They chose two outfits that matched the mood of each location. For the Lincoln portion, Philicia wore a floor-length white dress with the prettiest watercolor lavender detailing, while Stephen braved the July heat in a sharp blue suit (jacket included – a trooper!). Later, they changed into a breezy second look, a cotton mini dress for her and a relaxed polo for him, which paired perfectly with the lush garden setting.
This session reminded me how special it is to photograph in a location that means something to my couples. The National Mall can be a bit unpredictable in the summer, between the crowds, the heat, and even a protest or two, you never quite know what you’ll walk into. On this particular day, the Lincoln Memorial was under construction, which made it tricky to access those iconic white steps and columns.
But Philicia and Stephen were completely unbothered. They trusted me to pivot, and we made the call to photograph at the nearby DC War Memorial for those clean, classic columns they’d envisioned. Their calm energy and total trust made the whole session stress-free and enjoyable, and we still captured every moment they hoped for.
As a Washington DC wedding photographer, I always tell my couples: choosing a meaningful location adds so much depth to your session. Whether you’re planning a wedding in the city or just love the DC aesthetic, engagement photos at the National Mall offer the best of both worlds – timeless architecture and soft summer gardens.
Planning your own engagement session in Washington DC? Let’s capture the city in a way that feels like you.
