Jesse and Clayton are a DC couple through and through, and as a DC engagement photographer, it was an honor to capture their love story in the city they call home. When they first reached out to me, they told me how important it was for their session to feel grounded in their local community. So, instead of doing a traditional 90-minute engagement session, we created a hybrid engagement/creative portrait session so we had enough time to capture their Washington DC engagement photos in a way that felt natural, easy, and intentional. 

Unexpected Ideas for Your Washington DC Engagement Photos 

If you know me, you know I love wandering around cities with my camera. So I was so happy when Jesse and Clayton told me their vision for their Washington DC engagement photos! They wanted to honor the city they fell in love with, so we covered multiple locations that mattered to them—including their neighborhood and the metro station! 

You might not think the metro station would be a cool location for photos, but I beg to differ. There is something so intimate and tender about honoring your “everyday spaces.” Neither Jesse nor Clayton has a car, opting for public transit instead, so the metro plays a huge role in their lives! Their engagement photos romanticized an otherwise mundane part of life, turning it into the backdrop of their love story. 

Despite never being photographed before, Jesse and Clayton have an easy, comfortable love that feels effortless on camera. I directed them through natural poses to help them through the early jitters, but soon they were laughing and talking just like they were on a date. That’s the secret of my engagement sessions: allowing you to feel safe and comfortable so you can relax and have fun. We had such a great time that, by the end of the session, Jesse and Clayton asked me to be their wedding photographer, too! Of course, I said yes, and I’m already counting down the days until I get to hang out with them again. 

Washington DC Engagement Photographer

I had so much fun wandering around DC with Jesse and Clayton. I love finding ways to incorporate meaningful details into your photos, even if that means bending the rules of a traditional session! Jesse and Clayton didn’t end up using my engagement session package for their photos. They wanted more time and locations, so we used the Creative Portrait session instead, which offers more flexibility! 

All this to say, do whatever the fuck you want for your photos. Want to walk around your neighborhood? Awesome. Want to rent a studio? I’m there. Want to just treat it as a date and go to your favorite diner? I’ll take my camera anywhere! Engagement is such a special season of life, and I want to help you celebrate it in a way that feels authentic to you! Take it from Jesse and Clayton, when you embrace your own path, your photos just work. 

“We were truly blown away by the photos Laura took of us. She made my fiancé and I feel comfortable while also taking incredible engagement photos. We hadn’t had many photos taken of us before but instruction on posing from Laura felt natural and easy. We are so excited to have her photograph our wedding!”

Check out my full range of packages to find one that works for you! And if you don’t see something, feel free to ask. I would love to chat with you, learn about your vision, and help you find the best package. Fill out the form to get started!