Stephanie + Andzie :: Hillwood Estate Washington DC

Stephanie and Andzie decided to have their Engagement Session at Hillwood Estate in Washington DC, where the bride works. Tiffanie at Bird of Paradise Events introduced us and I couldn’t be more excited to photograph their wedding. These two civil servants (Stephanie is an educator and Andzie is a fire fighter) have the most adorable son, Carmine. He was more interested in the water than the camera, though! I do appreciate the attention to detail with dad and son having matching outfits. Stephanie looks amazing in red!

It was a joy to photography this beautiful family in such a stunning location.

Visiting Hillwood for the first time is a magical experience. The formal garden of the French Parterre has a beautiful glow when the sun bursts through the trees in the evening. I was inspired by the Japanese-style Garden with waterfalls and reflecting pools built right into the hillside. I definitely plan to go back and explore the rest of the 13 acres as well as the musuem.

If you want a different look for your engagement session than the wedding, I suggest you do what this couple did: different cities! They live and work in the DC area and are getting married in Baltimore. Since they wanted to incorporate both in their photographic story, we were able to split the locations at different times of year. I always recommend couples choose a location that is meaningful for you for the engagement session if you can. It may be a park you like to take walks together, a coffee shop where you catch up, or the restaurant where you had your first date.

No matter what, any location we use will always have the most important thing: the two of you. After all, that is what the story is about. Your story.