A vibrant, fun, natural engagement session at the Washington National Cathedral for a bright, loving pair of attorneys…
Nina shared, “I chose you as our photographer because your photos are genuine and authentic, the people looked comfortable, plus I love how they can show a sense of humor. Your photographs have a clean and crisp style that I like and are consistently great!”
Michael added, “I appreciated that your photography style and personality allows people to be their genuine selves. You never forced us into traditional wedding cookie cutter poses, but just allowed us to be us!”
They concluded, “For the engagement session, we wanted to get a variety of photos — dramatic shots featuring the architecture of the Cathedral, more traditional smiling photos, fun photos, and more couple-y photos. Overall we were just trying to be ourselves because normally we are really awkward in photos!”
I opened with a dramatic architectural shot that features the Washington National Cathedral and will follow with a more traditional, “smiling photo” as they called it, showing how darn cute this pair of Washington attorneys are!
Nina shared, “Michael and I met as first year students in law school when we were assigned to the same small legal research and writing class. I could tell in the class that he has a great sense of humor and is smart without coming across as overly nerdy 🙂 What I’ve come to appreciate most about Michael over the years is that he makes me laugh!”
I love Nina’s genuine expression and the bubbly bokeh in the foreground. I chose black and white for this image to draw attention to those two elements…
I knew they liked the architecture and wanted to create some unique images that incorporated the architecture in interesting ways. Here I framed them in a window as they walked in the Bishop’s Garden together…
Michael explained, “Nina and I practice in the same area of law, so we can bounce ideas off each other, which is nice. But, even if we did totally different things, I would always want to seek Nina’s perspective as a sounding board because I know she would be on the right track.”
For me this photo is a visual representation of two brilliant minds that are on the same track :). It even reminds me a bit of a train track with the lines. I really love this photograph!
Michael continued, “In law school, I appreciated that Nina was smart and dedicated but also fun and easy to be around. Although we do not always have similar interests, Nina has always shown an interest in the things I am into: movies, the Nationals, even my group of friends.”
I love the emotion in this image, it is soft, intimate and shows their support of each other, and Nina, those lashes!!!
I kept with the soft, intimate feel for this photo as well, wow, great ring selection, Michael!
Nina explained, “We chose the National Cathedral for our engagement photos for the gorgeous architecture and beautiful landscaping. I love dramatic, Gothic architecture. I also wanted to incorporate the outdoors for our engagement photos because our wedding will be all indoors.”
I love architecture, too and really enjoyed playing with all of the different locations and light surrounding the cathedral. It challenged me and allowed me to really flex my creative muscles! I loved the color of the sky that day and really brought it out as well as the intense sunlight…
I really noticed a lot of symmetry and balance with this couple and either relationship, and I love to take that relationship attribute and make it into something visual. I thought the dramatic black and white really showed off the intricate details of the Cathedral as well.
I love using composition, framing and “shooting through” various elements to give an image that natural, private feel.
Michael is right, I stay away from cookie cutter posing and really let my couples be themselves and move around while I find the best lighting and angles that capture the emotions they experience and the ways that they show affection…
We sprinkled those more natural, candid photos with more traditional ones, so they would have a few of those as well…
Michael shared, “Growing up nearby, the Cathedral is symbolic to me of the Tenleytown/Northwest Washington area.”
He continued, “The background of the residential neighborhood surrounding it, with families as well as tour groups, is very DC.”
I wanted this image to feel more rigid and balanced and really show off the incredible size of the Washington National Cathedral!
Nina continued, “The Cathedral is also in a neighborhood that we regularly frequent– we do our grocery shopping and go to restaurants nearby.”
Michael was always making Nina laugh throughout the evening, it was so sweet! They really let loose and had a lot of fun, it was such a pleasure to photograph these two!
Nina shared, “Another trait that I really appreciate in Michael is that he is extremely driven. He is always pushing to make himself better. I also really enjoy that we are in the same line of work, which I think makes it easier for us to understand each other’s achievements and challenges. We just “get” each other.”
I love playing with shadows and here they lean in for a kiss and I give them a little privacy, only photographing their shadows hehe.
No shyness here, I really played up the kiss allowing the setting sun to shine directly into the lens (perhaps I should have used eclipse glasses, haha)!
I totally love the look– that nostalgic-vintage look, golden light, rainbows, so pretty…
When you live in Washington DC and are going for a more organic, natural look, I think the Bishop’s Garden in the Cathedral is such a nice, earthy place to be. It really feels like a garden in the UK! I traveled to Scotland recently and was surprised by how much the Cathedral and grounds feels like those in the UK! Even better that it held a significant meaning to these two and even Michael’s history– great pick, guys!
Girl, you are so loved! 🙂
Nina’s ring is absolutely stunning and I thought it looked really pretty on this sprig of lamb’s ear with some ivy crawling in from the side.
As I got lower to really show off the diamonds, I noticed a tiny ant checking it out, too– haha!
Daylight was fading fast and the setting sun illuminated the cathedral in a vibrant gold color while the sky remained intensely blue. I love the colors of this photo!
Ah one last images showing off that beautiful architecture!
Nina and Michael, thanks so much for choosing to be your wedding photographer! I had a blast photographing your engagement and am already looking forward to your Carnegie wedding!