As a professional wedding photographer serving the DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas, I have some favorite locations for shooting romantic engagement and wedding photos I’d like to share with you.
One of my favorite places for wedding and engagement photography is the City of Annapolis, MD. Annapolis has changed little since the mid-17th century; with 300 year old buildings in the quaint, historic downtown area. The waterfront location has a nautical vibe and a historic coastal city feel, with brick and cobblestone streets and alleys lined with charming homes dating from the 1700s. With easy access from Baltimore and DC, this is a great place to enjoy dinner after your engagement photo session.
National Harbor, Maryland is a modern new city on the Potomac River with a great urban vibe. It is close to DC; and has lots of interesting outdoor art to incorporate into your engagement or wedding photographs. With views of Woodrow Wilson bridge over the river; the waterfront has a colorful carousel, sculptures, and marina with the Capital Ferris Wheel offering a spectacular overview of Washington, DC.
Another gorgeous location for romantic engagement and wedding photographs is North Beach, in Calvert County, Maryland, on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. This small, quiet town has 7 blocks of waterfront, a fishing pier, and a half-mile long boardwalk lined with blossoming flower beds and park benches. There are multiple parks, including Wetlands Overlook Park, which is a wildlife refuge. North Beach boasts a nice sandy beach on the shores of the bay, limited crowds, and a nearby beach with cliffs down to the water’s edge, for a rustic beachy feeling. It is a highly sought- after location for outdoor weddings.
One of my favorite engagement and wedding photography locations is Holly Springs Farm, in Lothian, Maryland. This is my location, so I may be biased! With hundreds of acres of fields and woodlands, barns, and a southern style mansion with big white columns on the front porch, this location has a great rural vibe. It is stunningly beautiful in the spring, with the cherry blossoms without the DC crowd.
Great Falls Park in Mclean, VA is a small National Park Service site situated on 800 acres along the Potomac River. Just 15 miles from the Nation’s capital, this rural location has amazing river views, waterfalls, rugged trails, and rocky cliffs. Home to one of the nation’s first canals, one of the attractions is the historic remains of the Patowmack Canal. There are several overlooks for different views of the majestic falls crashing over jagged rocks. It is perfect for more adventurous couples!
Last but not least; Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, MD contains 340 acres with lots of wooded trails and paths, six outdoor pavilions, serene ponds and fountains, gazebos, and bridges. With six miles of paved trails, there are spectacular views of the South River Promenade and scenic overlook. The park is close to DC and Baltimore; and offers varied beautiful backgrounds for romantic engagement and wedding photographs.
If you are looking for award winning engagement and wedding photography, we’d love to hear from you!