Washington, D.C. Engagement Photos | Meridian Hill Park | Emily + Zack

Emily and Zack are originally from the Philadelphia area, but moved to Washington, D.C. together three years ago. Since the city is so important to them, we decided to photograph their engagement session in Washington, D.C., specifically in their neighborhood near Meridian Hill Park (also known as Malcolm X Park). I got to meet their dog, Dot Com, who is named after the 30 Rock character and has her own well-deserved hashtag.

Typically an engagement session with me entails walking around a neighborhood while analyzing the inner workings of artful shows like Below Deck and Vanderpump Rules while couples snuggle along the way. This was no exception. We started at their apartment, where we took photos with Dot Com in the courtyard before heading to Meridian Hill Park. Once we got there, we were met with statuary-filled lawns painted with dappled light. Walking through the park, we passed a drum circle and dancers as we headed down the stairs to the cascading fountain (North America’s longest cascading fountain, in fact!). If I was a people-watcher based out of Washington, D.C., this would be my happy place.

Like so many engagement shoots of mine typically come to a close, we spontaneously stopped at some spots along the way. We passed cultural institutions, grand embassies, and luxury apartment buildings that even Selina Meyer would approve. And yet, there’s something to be said about the simplicity of an overlooked set of stairs or street corner that gets me every time.

I can’t wait to photograph their wedding at the Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel next summer, which overlooks Independence National Historical Park. Until then, here are some of my favorites from their Washington, D.C. engagement photos.