Kelly and Daniel are recent transplants to the DC area from Florida. Gainesville, to be exact. They hail from Gator territory, the University of Florida. They met at a student ministry called Chapel House and their first encounter was a handshake, a sign of peace. Kelly approached Daniel after their service to say hello, since she was new to the community. And the rest, well it fell nicely into place.

I was excited to have them invite me into their lives in Washington, DC to take a little time to celebrate their engagement.

So there’s also a story that goes along with their engagement session. When Kelly and I had discussed where to shoot their session, she had suggested the Jefferson Memorial. Having just visited there a few days before, I knew that the light would be gorgeous. Kelly was kind enough to pick me up from my hotel in the middle of Washington DC rush hour. We met Daniel at the parking lot close to the memorial and started chatting and shooting.

As we got to the memorial and started shooting, I thought everything was fine. The steps made for a great start.

I knew that there was a spot on the back side of the Jefferson Memorial that would be great. As we started to head to that area a security guard said, “You know you need a permit to do that, right? Looks like you’re doing a lot more than just taking a couple of pictures.”

At first I thought he was kidding. He was kind of on the small side and he had said it with a smile. When I quickly realized that he wasn’t joking around, I apologized for my ignorance and ushered Kelly and Daniel off the steps and we went on our way. Before I got like a federal fine or something.

Since we were asked to vacate the Jefferson Memorial for the engagement session, we explored the surrounding areas, and kept an eye out for security guards and other menacing figures.

Climbing into the bushes always makes for a good photo op.

Check out the background. Notice the Jefferson Memorial?

After shooting all around the Jefferson Memorial area, we headed out to Georgetown to catch some shots. A bank parking lot had this cool mural.

Kelly and Daniel = Fierce.

I love the light that came down from the street lamp.

Thank you, Kelly and Daniel for a fabulous time. You made my evening that much more fun! Good luck with the rest of your planning!!

Here’s a preview of what’s to come. Kelly & Daniel, you both were great!

I’m so glad Kelly and Daniel suggested going to Georgetown, where this photo was shot. It was dark, but gotta love rocking the ambient and available light.

Happy Thursday!

Danielle and Keith. What can I say about them? They were SO MUCH fun to work with. I know, I always say that, but I mean it. I love my FUN clients. As luck would have it, the engagement session almost didn’t happen. In fact, there was a problem with the trains coming into DC, that the very train that Danielle and Keith were on had to be single-tracked. I’m totally not up and up on the lingo, but I guess that means that there was only one track for the trains to use. But luckily, everything worked out and Danielle and Keith made it to the Lincoln Memorial.

Danielle and Keith’s engagement session was full of big smiles and big laughs. They were excited to have their session in Washington, D.C., because although they grew up in the general area, they had never really done the tourist thing in D.C. I’m happy to have drawn them out! I LOVED all the colors in Danielle’s dress and when guys aren’t scared to wear something bold like purple! This couple is so obviously in love! Danielle and Keith, I wish you all the best in your wedding planning, get ready for a wild ride!

Love it when my clients laugh. Whether at each other or at my incredibly witty jokes! (Well, hopefully witty jokes.)

Danielle and Keith asked to have a couple of photos re-enacting a proposal. Keith is a totally fun-loving guy and this just shows it:

At the end of our engagement session, we tried to hail cabs. On a busy street right next to the Lincoln Memorial. After about ten minutes of failed attempts, we quickly learned that in order to find a cab, you look for the taxi stand. Yeah, we felt a little silly, but we all learned something new!