John and Esther's Thomas Jefferson Memorial engagement session in Washington, DC was carefully planned around one goal: creating editorial and documentary-style photographs that felt timeless, natural, and authentic.

Because Esther was especially drawn to the soft, romantic look that comes with early morning light, we carefully planned every detail of the session, from the location to the timing. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial was the perfect choice, offering timeless architecture and a quiet atmosphere before the city wakes up.

To catch the first light of sunrise, we began photographing at 5:30 in the morning. That meant an even earlier start behind the scenes—Esther's hair and makeup began at 3:30 AM so everything would be ready before dawn.

While the early wake-up call was certainly a commitment, it was worth every minute. The soft light reflecting across the Tidal Basin, the peacefulness of the memorial, and the empty pathways created the perfect setting for the editorial yet natural images they had envisioned.

More than anything, this session felt effortless. Without crowds or distractions, John and Esther were able to simply enjoy being together, allowing genuine moments to unfold naturally throughout the morning. The result was a collection of photographs that feels both timeless and deeply personal—a reflection of not only how their engagement looked, but how it felt.

John & Esther | Engagement session