When it comes to engagement photos in the Washington, D.C., region, there are a ton of great options for couples to choose from!

This past weekend, I helped out with my sister’s engagement photoshoot, which was so exciting. One of the most exciting parts was having our cousin be the photographer. She flew in from Orlando to Washington D.C. and it was a delight to be hands-on helping to figure out locations to shoot in the D.C area.

The DC area is full of beautiful and unique locations. From the National Mall to Georgetown, there are many places you can choose to have your engagement photoshoot. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are great places in D.C. that will add some personality to your photos:

Engagement Photoshoots: The Best Location Ideas For Washington, D.C. Couples

With so many options, finding the right engagement photoshoot location in the D.C. area won’t be a problem. Select the location/s base on the budget, what kind of season you’d like to shoot in (spring, summer, or fall), and when you want to shoot (morning or evening).

Consider these places for your next engagement photoshoot!

Here are great locations that you can use for your next engagement photoshoot:

National Harbor

National Harbor is a great place to have an engagement photoshoot. It’s a waterfront community in Prince George’s County, Maryland, with lots of different things to do and see. It has high-end shops, restaurants, hotels, and more!

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is a beautiful location for engagement photos. It’s also a historic location and it’s a popular tourist destination. Mount Vernon has many photo opportunities, so planning your shoot carefully is essential.

Georgetown Waterfront Park

Located at the corner of Wisconsin and M Street, Georgetown Waterfront Park is a great place to take engagement photos for those who want to get out of town without actually leaving D.C. The park has plenty of trees, greenery, and a great view of the Potomac River. While there are no paved paths or sidewalks through the park, you can walk along the edge on one side to get away from most crowds and find some quiet spots for your photos together.

If you plan on parking in Georgetown Waterfront Park, check out street parking before heading over! There will usually be spots available along M Street (the main drag), but if that’s full, try Wisconsin Avenue or O Street instead—they’re both relatively close by too! If you have time before your photoshoot begins at this location, it might be easier to go straight there since there is paid parking across from where we’ll meet up later today!

Meridian Hill Park

The park is at the foot of Columbia Heights, east of 14th Street Northwest. It was established in 1867 for the meridian line that forms its eastern boundary. The park was frequented by notable historical figures such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Anthony Burns (who escaped slavery and later returned to help others do so).

The park has undergone several renovations over time but still retains its 19th-century charm with beautiful landscaping and lots of green space for picnics or relaxing on a nice day.

United States Botanic Garden

The United States Botanic Garden, located in the heart of D.C., is one of the most beautiful locations for engagement photography. The garden has many different areas, including a waterfall and a reflecting pool. This location makes it easy for photographers to get creative with their shots, whether getting close-up shots of your loved ones or capturing them in front of the beautiful flowers and trees.

The U.S. Botanic Garden also offers various plant collections that are sure to be eye-catching for any engagement photo session!

Hains Point

Hains Point is a peninsula that juts into the Potomac River, with views of Washington DC’s skyline. The park is located in southeast Washington, D.C., and it’s a popular location for wedding and engagement photos because of its scenic views. Hains Point is also a great place to watch fireworks on July 4!

Hains Point is a peninsula located in East Potomac Park. It’s a great place to take photos, especially if you want to capture the city skyline or the monuments. There are many different options for backgrounds, such as the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Theodore Roosevelt Island, and even waterfowl!

Washington Monument

Located in the National Mall, the Washington Monument is an iconic landmark that can be seen from all over D.C. and beyond. The monument opens at 9 AM and closes at 5 PM, though you can climb the stairs up to the top even after dark if you’d like (this is a great way to get some epic photos!). If you wish to go inside, tickets can be purchased on-site for $5/person or online for $3/person (plus a $1 processing fee).

Due to its location on one of D.C.’s busiest streets, traffic around this area is typically heavy during rush hour (before 10 AM), so plan accordingly! If possible, try finding an alternate route through Georgetown or Rock Creek Parkway since they are less congested than Massachusetts Avenue N.W., K St., or 16th Street N.W.

Lincoln Monument

This is a must-see in Washington, D.C., especially during cherry blossom season. You can get great shots of the Lincoln Monument and other landmarks like the Jefferson Memorial or the White House. This location is perfect if you want to make your engagement photos more adventurous and fun!

President Warren Harding dedicated the Lincoln Memorial on May 30, 1922, in memory of Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated two years earlier on April 14, 1865, at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C.

Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square is a public park in downtown Washington, D.C., bounded by H Street N.W. and Jackson Place N.W. on the east, Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. on the west, E Street N.W. on the north, and New York Avenue N.W. on the south. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.

The area that would become Lafayette Square was first developed in 1800 when President John Adams purchased land adjacent to The President’s House (later known as the White House) to create what he intended to be a vegetable garden for his wife, Abigail Adams. The land had been part of an out lot sold by Major David Stuart’s estate and bought back by him; it became known as “Stuart’s Fancy.”

In 1802 former U.S. president Thomas Jefferson leased part of this property from Adams to create a formal landscape garden featuring pathways leading through lawns studded with trees imported from Europe; this area later became known as “Jefferson Park.” In 1804 George Watterston acquired from David Stuart all his lots except one in front of The President’s House (later renamed Executive Mansion), which was retained for use as an approach road for carriages arriving at New York Avenue; this street became known as “Watterston Street.”

The Wharf

The Wharf is a new waterfront district in Washington, D.C., located on the Southwest Waterfront. It features restaurants and shops, plus many other attractions like the Verizon Center, Yards Park, and The Anthem concert venue. If you’re looking for an excellent spot for your engagement photography session in D.C., The Wharf should be at the top of your list – as long as you can make it through all those crowds!

D.C.’s National Arboretum

The National Arboretum is a great place for engagement photos. There are many different areas to shoot at and different types of trees and plants to use as props. It has a wide range of lighting conditions, from sunny to overcast.

Old Town Alexandria

Old Town Alexandria has a ton of great spots for engagement photos. The area is full of beautiful architecture, history, and local shops. The waterfront is a perfect place to take pictures because it’s pretty photogenic while also being close to several bars and restaurants where you can grab drinks after your shoot!

Old Town Alexandria Waterfront at Torpedo Factory Art Center – Old Town, Alexandria

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is a great place for engagement photos. The waterfront location is beautiful, and many spots to take pictures. Many couples choose this location for their engagement photos because it’s close to the Potomac River, and many large buildings make for good backgrounds.

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden (also known as the Sculpture Garden) is a great place for engagement photos, especially if you and your partner are both artsy and love nature. The sculpture garden is open to the public, so you don’t have to be a museum member to access it. There’s no admission fee either!

The garden has lots of greenery, statues, water features, and even a theater where performances are often held during warmer months. So if you’re planning on taking photos here in winter or at night (which can be particularly romantic), keep in mind that there may be fewer people around at those times. They’ll need more help with their equipment since it will be harder to see what they’re doing when there aren’t many lights outdoors.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

This small island in the Potomac River offers a fantastic city view. Theodore Roosevelt Island is accessible by foot or bicycle via the Custis Trail, a 3.5-mile path that provides views of Georgetown University, Rosslyn, and Key Bridge (which connects Virginia to Maryland). If you’re looking for an urban backdrop with a touch of nature, this is your place!

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens is the perfect place for an engagement photoshoot. It’s located in Mount Vernon, Virginia, and it’s a great way to learn about American history while getting your pictures taken. You can also make an appointment with George Washington’s housekeeper, Evy Smith! She’ll give you tips on where to take photos and what props to bring along with you. Plus, it costs nothing at all!

Anacostia Park at the John Philip Sousa Bridge

Anacostia Park is a beautiful place to get pictures of the D.C. skyline. It has lots of places to take pictures, and you can go for a walk in the park if you want to get some exercise.

In the summer, fun activities like paddleboarding or kayaking on the Anacostia River can be done with your friends or family members!

Union Station

Union Station was one of my sister’s locations for her photoshoot, which set a cool aesthetics complimenting their choices of outfit of tan & beige.

If you’re looking for a unique location, look no further than Union Station. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., this national landmark is home to an array of ornate architectural details and stunning period architecture that will make for some gorgeous engagement photos.

The station itself dates back to 1907 and originally served as the main train terminal for Washington, D.C. The building today has been renovated into a shopping center with various stores, restaurants, and offices housed within its walls—but what makes it so popular for photographers is that even with all these modern amenities, there are still plenty of areas left untouched by time where you can find beautiful brick walls and old-fashioned light fixtures that are perfect for taking engagement photos!

The Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial

The Tidal Basin is a perfect place to take engagement photos. It’s close to the Jefferson Memorial, which also makes it convenient. You can quickly get there by Metrorail or bus from any location in D.C., so you don’t need a car if you don’t want one! Plus, cherry blossoms bloom in springtime, making for beautiful scenery in your engagement photos.

National Cherry Blossom Festival – Tidal Basin

• Date: April 13 to April 27
• Location: Tidal Basin, Washington DC
• Expect crowds and lots of people in cherry blossom-inspired outfits. If you’re looking for a photoshoot location with fewer people and less traffic, this is not the place for you. However, if you want an experience that’s unique and full of color, then book it! The cherry blossoms are beautiful here—the trees are pink and surrounded by flower beds and ponds with pink water lilies floating on top. It’s pretty magical and makes for beautiful pictures!

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as there will be lots of walking around and climbing over rocks at times (for instance, when trying to get into certain spots). Also, bring sunblock just in case; although it was cloudy on our day, there didn’t seem like we needed it until after we were done shooting photos!

Meridian Hill Park – Columbia Heights

Meridian Hill Park is a hidden gem that offers a great city view. The park has a beautiful fountain, a butterfly garden, and a fantastic view of the monuments. Located in Columbia Heights, it’s also an up-and-coming neighborhood to live and work in.

Woodrow Wilson Plaza – Downtown D.C.

Woodrow Wilson Plaza is a public park located at 15th and Pennsylvania Ave N.W. in the District of Columbia, United States. The plaza was built on land occupied by the National Youth Administration Building, which was demolished in 1957.

The plaza is named after former President Woodrow Wilson, who had his offices in the NYA building. It has since been replaced with a new office building designed by Arthur Cotton Moore Architecture & Planning and completed in 2001.

Capitol Riverfront Neighborhood – Near Nationals Stadium

Capitol Riverfront is a neighborhood in Washington, D.C., located on the banks of the Anacostia River between Interstate 395 and Nationals Park. The area is home to several attractions and has become popular with locals, who enjoy walking its restaurants and bars (including All-Purpose Pizzeria, Big Board Pizza Co., Just Tapa Tapa, and Nando’s Peri-Peri). Capitol Riverfront’s waterfront area offers scenic views of Washington landmarks such as the U.S. Capitol Building and Lincoln Memorial Park on one side; Georgetown University across the river; the National Mall on another side; National Harbor in Maryland on yet another side; as well as Theodore Roosevelt Island just offshore from downtown D.C.

Theodore Roosevelt Island – Rosslyn

Theodore Roosevelt Island is a small island in the Potomac River. It is between the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Arlington Memorial Bridge.

Theodore Roosevelt Island can be accessed by foot from Rosslyn, Virginia, on a long pathway that runs through a dense forest of trees and bushes. The island offers visitors beautiful views of the city skyline and some great photo opportunities.

The Exorcist Stairs – Georgetown

The Exorcist Stairs (Prospect Street N.W. and 36th Street N.W.)

Located in Georgetown, these steps are a popular attraction for tourists. The Exorcist stairs have been featured in several movies, including the 1973 film that gave them their name. They’re also known as the “Devil’s Steps” and are said to be haunted by ghosts of people who have jumped off them to their deaths. This is it if you want an engagement photoshoot location with spooky vibes!

Conclusion

With so many options available, finding the right engagement photoshoot location in the D.C. area won’t be a problem. Consider these places for your next engagement photoshoot!