Courtney and Sam’s Lincoln Memorial engagement photos were SUCH a fun adventure! They met in DC and wanted to commemorate their time in the city before moving back to her hometown of Memphis, TN. I actually went to high school with Courtney and was thrilled when she reached out to do a sunrise session.
The Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool are some of the most iconic locations for Washington DC engagement photos, especially with the Washington Monument in the background.
How to Prepare For Your Lincoln Memorial Photoshoot
Sunrise is the best time for a photoshoot at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Anywhere along the National Mall gets super crowded during the day and evening as it’s a popular tourist attraction. At sunrise, however, there are a LOT less people and sometimes, you can basically have the entire place to yourself.
Give yourself enough time to wake up early and drive to the National Mall. There is street parking around the are so using Spot Hero is a life saver. There has always been parking for sunrise sessions for me along Parkway Drive NW and I use the National Park Service meters.
Lincoln Memorial and National Mall Photo Permit
The National Mall requires a commercial photo permit to take professional photos anywhere in the are that includes the monuments and The Tidal Basin. You can apply for the permit on the National Park Service website and they need at least two weeks, if not longer, to process your application. There’s also a special use permit if you wish to hold your small wedding or elopement ceremony on the National Mall.
Do permits confuse you? Don’t worry! I’ll help you through this process for any Washington DC location that require permits.
What to Wear for your Lincoln Memorial Engagement Photos
I always encourage my couples to wear outfits they already love and feel 100% comfortable in. We are here to tell a story and focus on your natural chemistry so clothing needs to help tell the story, not be a distraction visually for your experience.
You absolutely can buy a new outfit but just make sure you wear it before your session so you can see if you’re comfortable moving around in it. My approach to sessions is very movement-based so I ask you walk around, dance together, sit on the ground, and even pick each other up or do piggyback rides if you want! Clothes that are flowy or loos fitting are key so you can literally move around in them, including your shoes.
Solid, neutral or even dark color work best at the Lincoln Memorial so you stand out against the white marble (wedding dresses, though, are great at this location). Often, loud or busy patterns should be avoided but if one person wants to wear a pattern, the other should wear a solid color to balance.
When you hire me for your engagement or couples session, you’ll receive access to my exclusive client Outfit Planning Guide that goes over all of these points and more with lots of photo examples. And I’m always excited to give feedback on options you may have.
Romantic Lincoln Memorial Engagement Photos and Picnic
A picnic is the perfect activity to pair with adventuring around the Lincoln Memorial. Sam and Courtney brought their wedding cake topper to share together as they celebrate the city where they fell in love and their first year of marriage.
I always encourage couples to choose meaningful locations and activities for their sessions because it adds so much depth to the story we can tell. DC is a part of Courtney and Sam’s love story so they wanted beautiful photos to remind them of how they started their lives together.
My onboarding process for new clients is to send in-depth questionnaires that allows you to tell me more about yourself as individuals as who are you as a couple. What you love to do together, where you go, what you eat. Even the music you like so we can jam out at your session.
Including important props and activities is a great way to make your session unique to your relationship. Even a simple picnic or
I’m so excited to offer Lincoln Memorial Engagement photo! Want to plan your own romantic Washington DC engagement photos, Contact me today to get started!
