DC Engagement Shoot Vendor Team

Nicole and Matt were recently engaged (you can read their whole engagement story here) and knew they wanted DC engagement photos but were open to styling ideas. A photographer and stylists’ dream! We got to run with our creative juices! The process started with a moodboard I created on Pinterest of the look and feel to set the tone for the shoot.  

I knew we wanted to lean into Washington DC and the classical architecture reminiscent of old Europe – enter Union Station in DC. Union Station provided the perfect old world feel and backdrop to allow for other details to pop. When in Europe this past summer I remember images of puffy pink peonies wrapped in brown paper. Sophie Felts created the perfect bright cheery and puffy bouquet all wrapped in kraft paper just like I had seen in Milan.  

The shoot glam team came together with a classic, romantic and edgy look for Nicole and Matt’s ensembles. Nicole wore a gorgeous black lace dress selected by Naina and perfectly complimenting Matt’s dapper suit. Kevan and Jewel brought the whole look together with a fashionable ponytail and makeup that enhanced Nicole’s natural beauty. Finally, add in a scooter to the mix and you’re instantly transported to Italy!

Photography: Bonnie Sen Photography Wardrobe Stylist: Naina Singla Florist: Sophie Felts Hairstylist: Jewel Hair Design Makeup Artist: Makeup by Kevan

Vanessa and Michael’s love story is proof that sometimes office romances do work out. And we are so glad it did! This month we are going to take a peek back at both their Washington DC engagement shoot and their Florentine Spring wedding at the Fairmont Washington DC with Grit & Grace.

Back to Vanessa and Michael’s sweet story. Vanessa met Michael when she started at his company shortly before graduating from Georgetown University. The office was fittingly located at the notoriously scandalous Watergate building and they quickly realized there was something more to their relationship than work. So, on one balmy evening in June 2011, they broke the office ‘rules’ and went on a first date. Fast forward almost six years, Michael took Vanessa back to the Watergate rooftop to ask the question she had been waiting to hear.

After that yes, we headed back to the neighborhoods so dear to their hearts for a fun and light filled spring evening Washington DC engagement shoot. We started with a couple cocktails, a stroll down Georgetown’s iconic streets and finished up at the roof of the Kennedy Center (overlooking that fateful Watergate).

Vanessa killed the wardrobe game. The two started in a springy blue dress and blue suit and then changed in to a more evening black and white look. Vanessa’s pop red shoes were a close contender but I have to say both of her statement earring choices were a personal favorite.

Get ready to ogle over these two and check back for their dreamy wedding soon!

Attire:

Blue Lace Dress: Club Monaco Both Earrings: BaubleBar Silver Shoes: Valentino Striped Skirt: TY-LR from Rent the Runway Black Top: Club Monaco Red Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Traveling to New York’s SoHo area for an engagement session is always such a highlight of our year. And this year destination engagement shoots seem to more popular than ever.

Hometown vs. Your Town

So often couples get married in one (or both) of their hometowns but not where they currently live. There is something so special about an engagement session in the city that you and your partner have chosen to build your life in together. We are able to capture photos that feel just like the two of you: walking on the streets you walk everyday or grabbing a drink at your favorite local spot.

For this engagement session our couple, Jackie & Ari live in Manhattan but are getting married here on the Eastern Shore. We traveled up on a gorgeous day to capture these two perfectly in their element. Since the bride works in fashion we decided SoHo was the ideal picturesque neighborhood to shoot.

After walking around SoHo for a bit and having some trouble catching a cab we finally made it to the High Line for the second part of our shoot. Pro tip – the High Line is not my favorite location to shoot. The number of tourists makes it really tough and if you’ve been there before you know that the path is quite narrow and linear. This is great for getting some leading lines and good perspectives but terrible for letting people pass through. Soon after arriving there a freak storm passed through! But I’m so very happy with the photos.

Don’t get me wrong I love a good hometown wedding and a monument portrait session but engagement sessions like this day create images that they will cherish forever. Especially if they ever choose to move away from the city! But shhh don’t say that out loud to any New Yorker!

Fall in Capitol Hill, DC Engagement Session

We love this beautiful fall day and started in the couple’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Granted, mostly so we could grab some photos with the puppy! The fall colors and  light is amazing and the sun is peeking out just a tiny bit this day. I am so excited for this couple’s wedding at the super modern, long-awaited,  Line Hotel this Fall.

Engagement session suggestions

For your engagement session consider making it personal and memorable by planning an activity or capturing your lives as they are right now. This could mean an at home session, or a jaunt around your neighborhood or favorite areas. It gives you something to do and it always ends up with the absolute best, most authentic, relaxed and natural engagement photos. Just to get the ideas flowing you could go wine tasting, coffee cupping, have a picnic in the park, etc. Most of all think romantic and engagement-ey, so you’ll still get polished, professional photos.

Some more of our favorite creative and out of the box engagement sessions are Joe and Cat’s At home Session, this Christmas Tree Cutting session or this At-home Cooking session in Seattle!

Christmas Tree Engagement Photos. I’m ending this year on a positive note with this adorable engagement session. Sally & John go to Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Maryland every year to cut down their own Christmas tree. So for their engagement session of COURSE we had to do the same thing! However, when we got there in early December we were told that all the trees were out! Must be a popular idea! Well, we all asked really nicely and they let us up there to get a small tree… and it was just perfect!

If you haven’t been to Butler’s Orchard in Maryland, I highly recommend it! I think it’s our little town’s claim to fame. And it’s amazing for Christmas!

Can’t wait for their wedding next fall at Woodend in Bethesda! Sally works at the so very popular Salt & Sundry and Little Leaf shop, and John is a very talented artist and architect, so yea basically we are all going to get along very well 🙂

Update, in true creative form they had a very unique 1970’s inspired wedding. The wedding was featured on Washingtonian Weddings (previously known as Washingtonian Bride & Groom). When they first reached out to me for these Christmas Tree engagement photos I knew they would be fun to work with.