DC & Maryland Wedding Photographer
FREE ENGAGEMENT SESSION LOCATIONS IN MARYLAND & DC
One of the best ways to get comfortable with your wedding photographer before your big day is by having an engagement session (plus you get the added perk of using those photos for save-the-dates!) That said, as wedding costs quickly accumulate, one of the last things you want to do is spend extra money on the location of your engagement photos in the form of permits.
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As a photographer, I do recommend a lot of locations that require permits, simply because they're beautiful spaces that make for great photos, but that's for another time. There are so many incredible options in the Greater Baltimore and DC areas where you can take your engagement photos for free (or for very low cost). Let's check them out!
Library of Congress - Washington, D.C.
The Library of Congress, situated in Capitol Hill, is one of the most architecturally stunning buildings I've ever visited. Can you even believe that this space is free to the public?! The only important thing to note is that while tickets are free, they need to be reserved ahead of time. The library runs of a timed-entry system, so it's important to plan ahead.
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Additionally, since the library is open to the public, I tend to advise getting tickets for a weekday, right when the library opens (which is 10 AM, Tuesday- Friday).
Brighton Dam Azalea Garden- Brookeville, MD
This might be my favorite location on this list because it's just so gorgeous, so unique, and so easily accessible. Brighton Dam is in Maryland's Montgomery County.
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Each year in May, the area is flooded with an array of azaleas ranging from white to light pink to hot pink- some are even purple! These types of flower gardens typically have steep permit fees, so this is such a gem. Truly the only drawback is that the peak bloom only lasts a few weeks, so you have to hop on it quick!
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On top of it all, it's also right on the water! You get a little bit of everything.
National Gallery of Art- Washington, D.C.
The National Gallery of Art truly hits all the marks- it's chic, beautiful, historic architecture, and on top of it all- it's free for photos!
It's a very large space, so I often recommend booking a session that's a little longer for photos here (about 90 minutes- 2 hours), as well as going at some off-peak visiting times.
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The museum is open daily from 10 AM- 5 PM, so I typically meet couples here on weekdays right when they open to avoid crowds, as it definitely gets packed on the weekends and later in the day.
Surrounding Downtown Areas
Downtown areas are a super fun way to get some outdoor photos that still have a more urban feel, and even to do something interactive like grabbing coffee or ice cream while you stroll!
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Some of my favorite areas are Downtown Annapolis, Old Town Alexandria, and Baltimore's Fells Point Historic District (for those who love the waterfront), Old Ellicott City and Downtown Frederick (for those who like my quaint main streets), and Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood (for those who are more into a grunge/industrial vibe).
