Planning a Surprise Proposal at The Lincoln Memorial
Planning a surprise proposal at The Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most iconic spots in Washington DC attracting thousands of tourist per year. The memorial has an amazing view of The Washington Monument and is walkable to many other DC memorials. The Lincoln Memorial is one of the popular locations in Washington DC for surprise proposals and engagement sessions!
My favorite spot for a proposal is inside the memorial between the columns with a view of The Washington Monument as seen in the two images below! To get this shot I coordinate to direct my clients on which side of the memorial to propose on. Sometimes there may be tourist around this area and in that case I would suggest walking around a moment until those tourist leave or walk away. Sometimes you just need some luck. Weekends can be busier and summer is busier for tourist. By going to the memorial during less busy times you can succed in getting this amazing shot without any tourist in the shot.
If you want to have The Lincoln Memorial in your photo you can also propose in front of the memorial at the bottom of the steps! This is another great option, however you will have tourist in the shot behind you and maybe some onlookers!
A third option is to propose near The Reflecting Pool in front of The Lincoln Memorial with a view of The Washington Monument! This is a great option since tourist won't be in your image with the water.
After the proposal there are lots of great locations within walking distance for additional portraits! Here are some of my favorite images:
Learn more about planning a surprise proposal in Washington DC by using the contact form or emailing jonflemingphotography@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions for Surprise Proposal Photography in Washington DC
I love capturing surprise proposals in Washington DC! Not only do I offer photography but a lot of planning is involved as each proposal is different and exciting. If you are planning a proposal I would love to chat with you! Here are some questions I get asked about surprise proposal photography.
Where should I propose? Think of place that has special meaning to you. Perhaps the location of your first date? Your first kiss? The first time you told each other I love you? Or somewhere that you go often that has meaning? If you are from out of town and traveling to DC perhaps you are looking to propose at one of The Memorials? Here are 5 unique locations for surprise proposals In Washington DC. Need some advice or other suggestions? Feel free to send me an email!
What time of day should I propose? The most ideal time for photography is the few hours before sunset or a few hours after sunrise for the best light however I have captured at all times of day including at night. If you plan to go to dinner after your proposal this time also works great since you can have an excuse to dress up without having to let the surprise out early.
How will you photograph my proposal? When photographing surprise proposals I stand back at a short distance to give you privacy for this special moment. I blend in with the crowd and my camera is normally not visible to not draw attention. Depending on each proposal location cirumstances may be differnt. In more public spaces I move around to capture as people are moving to ensure the least amount of people are in the shot. I am always keeping in mind the best angle to capture the reactions and a great background. After you propose I observe to capture more moments: hugging, kissing, smiling etc. It is always in your hands as to when you are ready to move on to do more posed photos.
What if it rains on the date I plan to propose? If it rains you can either choose to reschedule your proposal if you'd like or choose an indoor location instead. There are some great locations in Washington DC for indoor portraits. Restaurants also work great for a surprise proposal after a nice dinner. Ask about back up options!
What is a "First Look"? 3 Pros to Having a First Look on Your Wedding Day
The "first look" is the moment you see your soon to be spouse for the first time on your wedding day in your wedding attire. The first look can be a staged moment before the ceremony opposed to the traditional way of seeing other for the first time when you walk down the aisle.
Here are some Pros to having a first look before your ceremony:
- By having the first look before the ceremony we can capture all your wedding party and family photos so there are no more or less group photos to do after the ceremony. Everyone will be freshly done with hair and makeup and looking their best.
- Some couples find that it's easier to relax during their ceremony if they have seen each other prior, however some couples like to keep this special moment reserved for the ceremony.
- More time for portraits. Without the first look before the ceremony all portraits would have to be after the ceremony where time may be limited by cocktail hour. By doing portraits before the ceremony you will be able to enjoy your cocktail hour with your guest
Deciding wether to have a first look or not is a huge factor in determining your photography timeline. If you have any other questions or thoughts regarding a first look and your wedding day timeline please feel free to reach out!
