Planning a Hot Summer Engagement Session (Literally!) | Washington DC Wedding Photographer

Washington DC

My recent summer engagement session with Beverly & Armani around Washington DC took place on a busy, 90+ degree Saturday. Yet when I think about our time together, while the heat was memorable, what stands out to me is the fun we had and the gorgeous photos we captured. How did we do it? Below are some of the obstacles we tackled, along with solutions that can make your summer engagement session a success!

Couple in black dress and navy suit holding hands beside a grand columned stone building in Washington DC

Engaged couple walks hand in hand across a sunny plaza past ornate classical architecture in Washington DC
Couple smiling at each other while strolling a stone plaza in front of a stately DC building

Woman in black slip dress leaning on her fiance's arm, a domed building rising behind trees in Washington DC

Fear: excessive sweating and discomfort.

Solution: bring hand-held, battery-operated fans. Bring water bottles. Schedule in an A/C break (Starbucks was clutch for us with this DC session!). Do a water refill in the middle of your shoot. Alternate outdoor photos with indoor venues, such as museums or train stations (DC does hold many indoor locations that are FREE and don’t require a photography permit — stay tuned for an upcoming blogpost with that list!).

Couple touching foreheads and smiling, a distant dome and summer greenery behind them in Washington DC

Engaged pair dancing playfully hand in hand on a sunlit DC terrace, dome on the horizon

Couple walking past bronze fountain sculptures below the towering marble facade of a Washington DC building

Close-up of a woman's hands with engagement ring clasped around her fiance's neck from behind

Black and white close-up of the couple smiling face to face, her ring hand on his lapel
Woman laughing with arms around her fiance's shoulders outside an arched stone building in Washington DC

Detail of a bride-to-be's hand with engagement ring holding the slit of her black satin dress

Fear: overcrowded locations with summer tourists.

Solution: plan your session early in the morning or the later evening. Do you research to make sure no big events or festivals are happening that day around your desired locations to shoot. Trust your photographer! He/she should know how to navigate photographing you in crowds, calculating when they add to or distract from the composition of an image.

Couple embracing and smiling in a grand vaulted train station hall in Washington DC

Couple sharing a kiss on the marble floor of an ornate train station hall in DC

Woman in white dress laughing with her fiance beneath the gilded coffered arch of a DC train station

Black and white view from behind as the couple walks hand in hand across herringbone brick pavement

Couple standing close on a brick plaza outside a grand arched building with traffic nearby in Washington DC

Engaged couple holding hands while crossing a brick street in front of monumental arches in Washington DC

Fear: difficulty finding shade (for photo purposes and for your own comfort).

Solution: bring an umbrella for walking to and from locations! Or choose to Uber to locations instead of walking, even if it’s only 0.68 miles! Incorporate indoor locations to get a break from the scorching sun. Most importantly, hire a photographer who knows how to make you look like a luxury model in direct sun AND shade!

Couple holding hands in a long colonnade of arches and lantern sconces, both dressed in white

Couple smiling in an arched stone corridor, she in a white dress, he in checked trousers

Couple kissing softly while she holds out her hand to show the oval engagement ring

Close-up of the couple touching noses and laughing, her gold teardrop earring catching the light

Woman in backless white dress laughing with her fiance beside a stone column in a shaded archway

Fear: potential for hair & makeup to melt.

Solution: have your hair & makeup professionally done so they last longer. If you aren’t able to do so, make hairspray and makeup setting spray your best friend. Choose a hair-style that doesn’t keep your hair down on your neck the whole session! Bring oil/sweat face cloths or paper towels (I always have these Clean & Clear wipes with me for my couples). And again, incorporate extra time into the shoot for you to take bathroom breaks to touch-up hair and makeup. Remember that no matter how sweaty you might FEEL, 99% of the time, the camera doesn’t capture the affects of humidity and you just looking glowingly beautiful in your photos! 

Couple kissing on a marble ledge in DC, a domed building and flags visible in the distance

Detail of pink bow heels and a white midi dress against carved marble steps

Fear: your formal outfit choices get sticky & uncomfortable.

Solution: plan your outfits according to the temperature. Wear flowy dresses and choose strapless/sleeveless tops! Find breathable materials. Guys, alternate out of formal suits to airy button-downs throughout the session. Again, make time in your photoshoot plan to change and freshen up in bathrooms instead of trying to shimmy in and out of outfits in sticky cars. Aim for white/black/champagne-colored outfits that don’t let sweat shine through. 

Man in blue suit holding his laughing fiancee's hand as she steps down grand stone stairs

Couple sitting close and nearly kissing on wide stone steps in Washington DC

Couple seated together on sweeping granite steps laughing, she in white satin dress, he in blue suit

Hopefully these tips help you plan your summer engagement session to be heat-friendly and still LOTS of fun!! Drop a comment or share with friends if you found this helpful!

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