Tips for Engagement and Wedding Photos at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC
The Lincoln Memorial is an amazing spot for beautiful engagement and wedding photos. Here are tips on planning your photography session. These tips focus on getting great photos in a fun and efficient way.
The couple wanted to create some romantic photos in Washington DC that incorporate its unique history and architecture.
I had an interesting challenge in this DC photo session. The couple wanted beautiful photos in an efficient manner. However, there are numerous locations to choose from and so many choices. So I organized a special photo shoot for them. We choose the Lincoln Memorial for its multiple photo opportunities.
Tip 1. Aim for early morning or late afternoon
Taking photos at the right time of day is important for amazing photos. Especially at the Lincoln Memorial.
Morning:
The morning is a magical time to take photos. The soft and flattering glow of the sun looks beautiful.
You can plan your session either before or after sunrise. Before or during sunrise, the photos will have a “soft and white” look because there will be very few shadows.
After sunrise, the photos will have a more orange glow from the sun. Keep in mind the later you take the photos, the sun will be bright thus causing more shadows.
We took these photos about an hour after sunrise and they look amazing.
The couple enjoyed dancing with turns and dips in front of the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the back. See how the beautiful soft reflection of the monument shimmers in the water.
Another advantage of taking engagement and wedding photos at DC monuments in the morning is the smaller number of visitors around. As there were fewer people around, we had the time for interesting poses. At a more crowded time, many people are right next to you.
Afternoon:
The afternoon is also a great time for photos. You can capture sunset colors behind the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. There may be more people in the afternoon.
Tip 2. Take photos at nearby beautiful locations
The Lincoln Memorial is a fantastic location which provides various backgrounds for beautiful engagement and wedding photos.
In addition to the famous spot with the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool in the back, there are other beautiful locations.
These locations provide good lighting when the day progresses and the sun’s rays get stronger. So it is great to go to these areas in the second part of the photo session.
Here is a scenic photo of the couple taking a walk along the boulevard next to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
After the beautiful boulevard, you can go inside the Lincoln Memorial for more photos.
Tip 3. Remember to take a variety of angles and shots
It is best to have a photographer who has different lenses to take a variety of shots. This gives you both beautiful close-up shots and wide shots that shows the unique landscape and architecture of Washington DC.
