Engagement Session At The Lincoln Memorial

Engagement Session at the Lincoln Memorial | Washington DC Engagement Photographer

July 24th, 2025

Joey & Dymon’s engagement session at the Lincoln Memorial was one of the most meaningful milestones in my photography journey. My wife and I had just relocated to the DMV, and as I was still learning the area, this session quickly became a reminder of why I love capturing love stories in iconic places.

Joey & Dymon chose the breathtaking Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. for their engagement photos — one of the most romantic and historic locations on the National Mall. What many couples don’t realize is that professional photography at National Park Service locations in DC requires a paid permit. While this does slightly increase the cost of a session, it’s absolutely worth it to have your love story documented with such powerful and inspiring backdrops.

Planning the Perfect National Mall Engagement Session

I spent two full weeks preparing for Joey & Dymon’s session. During a family visit to the “Capital Fourth” fireworks celebration, I sat on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and scouted the area. I used the PhotoPills app to track sunrise angles and lighting so I could plan the most flattering and cinematic look possible.

To avoid large crowds and capture that soft golden light, I recommended we begin at 6:00 AM. Early mornings are the secret to photographing the National Mall — fewer people, dramatic skies, and the quiet beauty of Washington, DC waking up.

When the Plan Meets Reality

The session started exactly as planned… except for one thing — the humidity!
By 6 AM, the air was already heavy, and it only intensified as the morning went on. But Joey & Dymon were incredible. Their laughter, connection, and trust in the process never wavered. They followed my team’s direction with ease, allowing us to capture authentic, emotional, and timeless images — even in the heat.

A New Chapter in Washington DC

This session marked my very first engagement shoot in Washington, DC, only weeks after moving to the DMV. Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, capturing two people in love, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Joey & Dymon — thank you for trusting a “newbie” photographer in a new city (haha). You gave me the perfect start, and I’m so grateful for you both.

Here are their images from this unforgettable morning.

James & Katrina's Engagement Session | Maryland Engagement Photographer

A few weeks ago I had the honor of capturing the engagement session for James & Katrina featuring their daughter Serenity.  They both decided on having the session at Pendleton King Park.  I had shot an engagement session there before, but I had never notice the lovely garden there that is just perfect for taking photos!  I really love working with couples prior to their big wedding day.  It gives me an opportunity to not only get to know them better but work with them and gain their trust and confidence.

As we began conversing and walking to our first shot location I asked Katrina where her engagement ring was?  The next few moments were of utter shock as Katrina had realized she had forgotten to put on her engagement ring and had accidentally left it home.  I really care about giving the best images and care to my clients.  So I told her I would wait for her to go back home and get her engagement ring.  In the meantime, I would warm up my photo taking skills on her youngest sister (who was there to chaperon) and daughter.  When Katrina came back we were ready to go.  The rest of the engagement shoot was fun and relaxing.  James & Katrina were really fun to be around and had no objections trying out any photo ideas I might have had whether they worked out or not.

I can’t wait for September when I capture their wedding at The Red Oak Manor in Harlem, GA.  In the meantime, check out a few images from their engagement session!