20 Best Engagement Photo Locations in Washington, DC
There are so many amazing locations in Washington, DC to take engagement photos, and I wanted to put together a list of some of the best places! (Updated September 2023)
Before choosing a location for your engagement photos, make sure you do your research! Many places in DC require permits in order to have professional photos taken. Just because a location is open to the public does NOT automatically mean that a professional photo shoot can take place there! I’ve heard horror stories of engaged couples and their photographer being kicked out of parks/museums/etc during their session because they didn’t have a permit, and then they needed to scramble to find a new location. Trust me, it is much easier to get your ducks in a row beforehand!
I’ll include any permit information that I know of in this post, but please be aware that my blog will not be the most up-to-date resource. Policies are constantly changing. Head to the individual location’s website to look for their photography policy, or give them a call.
(And if you want to expand your search even further, check out my list of best engagement photo locations in Northern Virginia!)
1. National Mall Monuments and Memorials
By far the most popular spot for engagement pictures in Washington, DC is around the monuments! The Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Reflecting Pool, around the Tidal Basin…. all of these iconic spots make absolutely beautiful backdrops for photos. The monuments are usually packed with tourists, snapping away with their cameras and cell phones, so it comes as a surprise to many people that PERMITS ARE REQUIRED for professional photo sessions. All of the memorials and monuments are maintained by the National Park Service, and their permit application can be found here. There is a $90 application fee plus a $50 location fee. (If you’re planning to do wedding photos at the monuments, the fees may be higher depending on the number of people in your bridal party.)
2. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
With beautiful white columns, the huge staircase, and amazing views of the Tidal Basin and Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial is one of the most commonly chosen locations for engagement photos in DC! It’s also one of the busiest tourist destinations in the city as well, so be sure to plan your visit around the crowds if you can. I always recommend sunrise engagement sessions for anyone wanting photos at the Jefferson (or other monuments) to keep the number of tourists to a minimum. And if you’re wanting to do photos here around the busy cherry blossom time, make sure to apply for your permit early so they have time to process it.
3. Reflecting Pool
The views along the Reflecting Pool can’t be beat! There’s often lots of tourists trying to get that same angle with the Washington Monument in the background, but if you can find some space to yourselves it’s a beautiful shot! Again, planning your engagement photos around sunrise will make it more likely to have the place to yourselves.
4. Lincoln Memorial
Another one of the most popular monuments for pictures is the Lincoln Memorial. The giant staircase and marble columns are a classic DC location, so it makes sense that so many people want to do their engagement photos there! Like the rest of the National Mall, a permit is required.
As of June 2023, the Lincoln is undergoing construction while a new underground museum is being built. Currently there is a large wall across most of the steps, and the breezeways under the columns are inaccessible except for a small portion in the front to access the statue. Construction is expected to last until 2026 and areas closed off may change over time.
The last few photos are from August 2023 and show the state of the construction at that time. While it’s definitely not an ideal backdrop, if your heart is set on this location your photographer can hopefully still get a few photos without showcasing the construction!
5. Union Market
Union Market’s heart wall/Never Give Up mural is the perfect place to document your love story! This iconic mural is one of DC’s most famous street art locations, and all the colorful hearts make it an obvious choice for engagement photos. The Union Market area has a few other murals as well - there’s Yoko Ono’s quote (“Relax. Your heart is stronger than you think!”), the colorful Human!ty mural, and the giant eye by the Angelika Pop-Up. The inside of Union Market can be a great spot to capture documentary-style engagement pictures as well. You can get photos of you and your fiancé doing some shopping, grabbing a drink, or enjoying some ice cream or gelato!
6. Supreme Court
If you’re trying to find the white, marble column look of the monuments but want to avoid the permit fees, the Supreme Court is a great option. There’s no need to get a permit or make a reservation to take your engagement photos here! The only things you have to consider are that tripods/light stands cannot touch the marble, so check with your photographer if they typically use those for sessions. And also be sure that you do not touch the columns.
7. Library of Congress
Right next door to the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress is another iconic DC building that’s perfect for engagement pictures. On busy days, there can sometimes be a long line of tourists out the front door which is less than ideal for photos. If you can, get there before or after open hours and you’re much more likely to have the outdoor steps to yourselves! No permit needed as long as your photographer isn’t using a tripod or lights.
8. Meridian Hill Park
Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcolm X Park, is located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood, and has so many great photo spots! There are several giant staircases that are great for posing on, as well as the famous cascading waterfall fountain. Just be aware that the fountain is only on during certain times of the year, and even during the summer months the water can be turned off for repairs. So if you’re hoping for water, just check out the park (or give them a call) in the days before your session to find out the fountain’s status. Like the monuments, Meridian Hill Park falls under the National Parks Service, so the same permit information applies.
9. United States Capitol
The U.S. Capitol building dome is another popular backdrop for DC engagement pictures. A permit is required for all of the Capitol grounds which can be found here, and the cost is $50 (the fee is higher for weddings with large amounts of people). Applications must be submitted at least 10 days in advance of the engagement session. If you get in touch with your representative, you might even be able to get pictures on the Speaker’s Balcony! And don’t forget that in addition to the building itself, other great backdrops can be found on the grounds at Summerhouse and Lower Senate Park.
10. National Cathedral
The Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral is a stunning setting for engagement photos. The gardens are beautiful with tons of color, and the cathedral building itself is an iconic backdrop for DC photos.
The photography permit for the National Cathedral is $250 and includes access to the exterior, gardens, and grounds. Indoor photography is restricted to those who get married at the cathedral.
(As of September 2023, multiple clients have reported having difficulty getting a hold of someone at the cathedral to issue permits.)
11. Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are a little green getaway in the middle of the city! The small park is located in the Kalorama neighbohood, in between Decatur Place and S Street. The staircase is also surrounded by beautiful landscaping with black-eyed susans, magnolias, and other flowering trees. Keep in mind that the park is very small (it really is just a staircase!), so you may want to use this location in conjunction with another spot to get more variety in your photos.
12. Rock Creek Park
If you and you fiancé love hiking but don’t want to travel out of DC to hit the trails, Rock Creek Park might be a great location choice for you. With over 32 miles of trails, the options are endless! Discuss with your photographer if there are particular places in the park you’d like to go to (Boulder Bridge is a popular spot), and determine where the best parking lot is to meet. Keep in mind that some of the smaller lots will fill up quickly if you’re visiting on a beautiful day at a busy time! Rock Creek is also managed by the National Park Service, and the permit information is here.
13. District Wharf
The District Wharf has a mix of urban neighborhood and waterfront views for tons of variety in your engagement pictures! The shops and restaurants provide a beautiful backdrop for photos, and if you go close to sunset you’ll also get the twinkling string lights and neon signs in the background. You can take a walk down one of the piers, play on the giant swings, or even get out on the water in the warmer months! If you’re feeling adventurous, rent kayaks or paddleboards, or take a ride on the water taxi. There’s so many options! The Wharf doesn’t require a permit for engagement photography, but you’ll need to contact them and let them know when your session will be so they can notify security. The Wharf frequently hosts large events and concerts, so make sure you also check their events calendar before deciding on your date!
14. National Zoo
If you and your fiancé are animal lovers, you should definitely consider taking your engagement pictures at Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Hopefully you’ll get lucky and the animals will be out and about in your photos, but even if they’re not, it’s still a pretty location! There’s lots of green space, some cool murals, and you can even ride on the carousel. No permits are needed for engagement photography at the zoo, but they just remind couples that you will be like any other zoo visitor (they are not going to bring any animals out to you for your photos haha).
15. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center is another iconic DC location! There’s tons of variety for photo backdrops between the REACH gardens, the river plaza overlooking the Potomac, and the rooftop terrace. You can read the photo policy on the Kennedy Center website, but no permit is required. Outdoor photo sessions on the grounds can be done anytime between 7:00am and midnight. Just make sure to check the events schedule beforehand so you aren’t trying to take photos when there are large crowds!
16. Tudor Place
Tudor Place is a beautiful historic house and gardens located in Georgetown. With over 5 acres to explore, it’s impossible to run out of photo spots! Photo sessions can be reserved for $200/hour, and they must take place Wednesday - Sunday anytime outside of public hours (which are 12:00pm - 4:00pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).
17. Eastern Market
The Eastern Market neighborhood is another area of DC that is an excellent choice for engagement photos. You can explore the market itself, grab a bite to eat, and check out all the local vendors. There are also lots of colorful murals in the neighborhood and Capitol Hill Books is right around the corner if you guys are book lovers!
18. Barracks Row
The Barracks Row neighborhood in Capitol Hill is another perfect DC engagement location. it’s close to Eastern Market, so these two areas can make for a great combination engagement session. Barracks Row similarly has lots of great restaurants and colorful murals!
19. Roosevelt Island
Similar to Rock Creek Park, Roosevelt Island is another great spot right in the city if you’re looking for a more natural setting! There are miles of trails, a bridge and boardwalk, and of course, views of the surrounding Potomac River. It’s maintained by the National Park Service, so it has the same permit process as the monuments.
20. National Gallery of Art
If the weather is a concern for your engagement photos, the National Gallery of Art is a great choice for indoor pictures. The East building has a beautiful open atrium with lots of natural light, and the giant open staircase is a gorgeous spot as well. And I love the cool light tunnel connecting the East and West buildings! And of course, there’s two whole buildings filled with artwork to explore. The National Gallery of Art does not require a photography permit, but they do not allow flash photography and it’s best to call ahead to make sure there are no special events going on.
