Top Engagement Photo Locations In Washington DC (With Parking Tips!)
This is a list of some of our favorite Washington DC engagement photo locations. We’ve been photographing engagements for over 13 years and DC has a ton of variety for planning an incredible engagement photo session. If you want more engagement location tips or have something you’d like added to our list please contact us!
Table of Contents
National Mall and Quintessential DC Engagement Photo Locations
1. The Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial has been our most requested location over the years, and for good reason! It offers a lot of variety for backdrops. You can capture the recognizable DC skyline with the Washington Monument and Capitol Dome in the backdrop, sit on the marble steps, walk through the columns around the side and back sides which are not nearly as crowded as the front steps, take a stroll around the tree-lined reflection pool, or find some greenery backdrops around the sides of the monument. Even on busy weekends it’s relatively easy to find a quiet spot that’s not crawling with people as you wander around the sides.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm
Parking Tips: There is metered street parking on Ohio Dr SW with easy access back to the Lincoln Memorial.
2. Thomas Jefferson memorial
The Jefferson Memorial offers similar perks and backdrops to the Lincoln. The outer ring of marble columns of the Jefferson is like a giant soft box for flattering light, and a great spot for a rainy day. There are also some nice green areas to the side of the monument that offer angles and backdrops that feel a bit less touristy. In the Springtime you can take stroll around the tidal basin under the Cherry Blossoms.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/thje/index.htm
Parking Tips: If you need to drive, there is metered street parking along Ohio Drive SW. There are also a few metered parking lots on the same road underneath the 395 overpass. There is also a parking lot off of Maine Ave SW that exits on to Independence Ave.
3. Smithsonian Gardens
The National Mall has a lot of great options for engagement portraits, including the gardens behind the Smithsonian Castle. There are some nice quiet pathways, flower-lined trails, and ponds.
Website: https://gardens.si.edu/
Parking tips: There are not a lot of good parking options on this side of the National Mall. The closest lot is the tidal basin lot off of Main Ave SW/Independence Ave.
4.Union station
Union Station is one of our favorite spots for the architecture in the city. The front archways are great for portraits. This can also be a nice spot if you need some cover on a rainy day.
Website: https://www.unionstationdc.com/
Parking tips: There is a large garage on the backside of Union Station. For more affordable options, there are several parking lots and street parking options in the neighboring streets.
Water Backdrop DC Engagement Photo Locations
1. The Tidal Basin
The most iconic water backdrop in DC is the Tidal Basin. You’ll get great views of the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. It also includes some of the lesser traffic monuments including FDR and MLK. If you’re planning to go there during the Cherry Blossoms just know that you will be there with thousands of other people, even if you get there before sunrise.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/articles/dctidalbasin.htm
Parking Tips: If you need to drive, there is metered street parking along Ohio Drive SW. There are also a few metered parking lots on the same road underneath the 395 overpass. There is also a large parking lot off of Maine Ave SW that exits on to Independence Ave.
2. Ohio Drive SW
This is a great location when paired with the Lincoln Memorial. The entire length of Ohio Drive SW runs along the Potomac River between the Lincoln and the Jefferson Memorials. There are some pretty weeping willow trees and flowery trees in this area.
Parking Tips: You can park in the metered spots on the right side of Ohio Drive SW
3. Georgetown waterfront Park
The Georgetown Waterfront is a great place to end up at sunset for your engagement session. You’ll find backdrops with the Kennedy Center and the Key Street Bridge as you walk along the Potomac River. There are a lot of benches and grassy areas to stop and snuggle throughout.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/places/georgetown-waterfront-park.htm
Parking Tips: There’s some street parking on K Street, underneath the Whitehurst Freeway overpass. There’s also a huge parking garage off of Wisconsin Ave with easy access to M Street and the surrounding Georgetown neighborhood.
4. The Wharf
The Wharf can be crowded, but also a lot of fun! There are several large piers you can walk out on as well as some fun alleyways with rope lights.
Website: https://www.wharfdc.com/
Parking Tips: There are underground parking garages that run almost the full length of the Wharf.
Scenic and Nature DC Engagement Photo Locations
1. The National Arboretum
This is one of our favorite spots for engagement photos that feels like another world apart from downtown Washington DC. The Arboretum has a lot of variety if you want a nature backdrop. There is the magnificent field with the original Capitol dome columns, trails through the woods, and a lot of gardens.
Website: https://www.usna.usda.gov/
Parking: There is a parking lot right in front of the Visitor Center. There are also small parking lots throughout the park to get easier access to some of the other garden areas such as the Asian or Dogwood collections or the Anacostia River.
2. Meridian Hill Park
Meridian Hill is one of the prettiest parks in DC and it is also fairly large. One of the things we look for when finding a spot for engagement photos is for a distraction-free backdrop that we can use to really highlight the couple. This park is perfect for that with all of the stone walls, the large fountain, the trees, and marble steps. We’ve also done some amazing weddings at Meridian Hill if you want a beautiful outdoor backdrop for your ceremony.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/places/meridian-hill-park.htm
Parking Tips: You can either find street parking in a surrounding neighborhood, or look for a garage or street parking along U Street.
3. Rock Creek Park
On the northern end of the city is the lovely tree-covered Rock Creek Park which always makes us feel like we’re miles from the city. This is a nice spot to get out into nature and walk along the trails. This is also a great option in the city if you want to bring your dog to your engagement session!
Website: https://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm
Parking: There are parking lots throughout Rock Creek Park.
Mural DC Engagement Photo Locations
1. Alethia Tanner Park
Along the Metropolitan Branch Trail bike path you’ll find one of the best stretches of mural work in the city!
Website: https://nomaparks.org/nomagreen/
Parking tips: Look for street parking nearby.
2. Blagden Alley
Another fun spot for murals is Blagden Alley in the Shaw Neighborhood near the National Convention Center. We always love getting to meet our couples for a drink before engagement sessions and it doesn’t get much easier than this with all of the great bars and restaurants that go along the alley.
Website: https://washington.org/visit-dc/shaw-neighborhood-alleys-and-offshoots
Parking: There are a few paid lots if you can’t find street parking.
Urban Neighborhood DC Engagement Photo Locations
1.Georgetown
Georgetown is truly the ideal spot for an engagement session because of the variety. We love that it feels way less touristy than some of the spots along the National Mall. You can take a walk through the beautiful neighborhoods on the north side of M Street. Grab a coffee together and walk through the busy shopping areas along M Street. There’s a great hidden gem of a tiny park on the North side of M St between 30th and 31st Streets. Walk along the C&O Canal and stop along the red bridges. End your session at sunset along the waterfront. If you want variety, this is it!
Website: https://www.georgetowndc.com/
Parking: There’s always street parking if you’re patient. Be careful about street parking in the neighborhoods because the allowed parking times vs permit-only can be tricky. To play it safe there’s a huge parking garage on Wisconsin Ave between M St and the C&O Canal.
2.Logan Circle
We love the Logan Circle neighborhood! There are so many great places to meet up for a drink before we get started and then walking around this cute neighborhood.
Website: https://washington.org/dc-neighborhoods/logan-circle
Parking: There’s plenty of street parking.
3.The Spanish Steps & DUpont Circle
The Spanish Steps are a great little spot a few blocks from Dupont Circle.
Website: https://www.tclf.org/landscapes/spanish-steps
Parking: We almost always find street parking on Phelps Pl a block away from the top of the steps.
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