Stephanie and Tom booked me to photograph their wedding in the Pittsburgh area next year and are currently living in Virginia. As we were planning their engagement session and trying to schedule when they would be back in the Burgh, I realized that I would be decently close to them for a wedding so we planned on fitting in their engagement shoot while I was there. (I love to travel and explore new locations!!)
Ultimately, we decided on the Thomas Jefferson Memorial for their photographs. After finding out that you have to acquire a permit to photograph there, I went through the permitting process and paid the fee required. If anyone reading this wants to have their engagement in D.C., make sure you allow at least a month to get your permit back. Miraculously, everything worked out perfectly; I received the permit just in time and the hurricane rain went through the night before so we were blessed with gorgeous weather.
Tom requested getting a few photos in front of the "LOVE" sign so we made a pit stop there before we embarked to D.C. Once we parked, I grabbed a few more photos of them in their casual outfits before they changed into formal attire. Want to know a secret? They were taken on the edge of the parking lot where I utilized the shrubs, trees and pretty light. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is known for its stunning marble pillars and stairs and is situated on the Tidal Basin with views of the National Monument. Simply beautiful. I did my best to keep the tourists out of the background and Photo-shopped the ones that I couldn't avoid. My favorite part was all of the children saying how pretty Stephanie looked in her dress. They were in awe. (I actually heard one of the girls say to her friend, "That's going to be you and Mike one day.") LOL
We stayed until dark and I took some night shots of them before we departed. Stephanie and Tom were naturals and so much fun to spend the day with. I could not be happier with this engagement session. I am looking forward to photographing their wedding next year!!
