National Gallery of Art Engagement Session in Washington DC

Some couples have a way of making you feel like you’ve known them forever – and that’s exactly how it felt with Andrew and Liv. Their session was filled with the kind of joy and ease that makes photographing couples feel like magic.

We met up on a warm late-summer afternoon and made the most of two of my favorite DC spots for engagement photos: the National Gallery of Art and Meridian Hill Park. If you’re dreaming of classic, romantic, and relaxed portraits in the city, these National Gallery of Art engagement photos might be exactly the kind of inspiration you’re looking for.

From soft, glowy light indoors to golden hour sun in the park, every moment with these two felt personal and full of heart.

How They Met

Their love story began in the ER – no, really. Olivia was working at the hospital after college, and Andrew, who she thought was a full-grown EMT colleague, turned out to be a high school senior skipping classes to bring patients in. They remained friends for years before officially dating in 2020, when Andrew came home from school. This time, the timing was right.

The Proposal

On a “casual” camping trip in Shenandoah National Park, Andrew woke Olivia up early for a drive to visit nearby wineries. They stopped at a lookout point along the way for what she thought was just a quick photo op – but instead, Andrew dropped to one knee. It was 9AM, she was completely surprised, and the moment couldn’t have been more them!

Location Notes & Session Details

We kicked things off at the National Gallery of Art, which honestly might be one of my favorite places to photograph in DC. It’s timeless and quiet in the most elegant way, and the light inside? Dreamy. Soft, romantic, and flattering from just about every angle. It was the perfect place to ease into the session and capture some of those quieter, more connected moments between Olivia and Andrew.

After that, we headed over to Meridian Hill Park for a totally different feel – more open, natural, and relaxed. The stone steps, tree-lined paths, and golden late-summer light gave us room to move around and just have fun with it. It was the perfect location for their musical, lighthearted energy to come through.

I love how these two locations worked together to tell their story – elegant and classic, but also warm and joyful!

Scroll down for more of their beautiful engagement photos in Washington DC!

Ready to Plan Your DC Engagement Session?

Whether you’re dreaming up timeless portraits in a quiet gallery or chasing golden hour at your favorite park, my goal is always the same – to help you feel relaxed, confident, and totally yourself in front of the camera. Let’s tell your story in a way that feels personal, honest, and full of heart.

Let’s connect and start planning!

Alexis El Massih is a wedding photographer serving Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and destinations beyond.

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