The Wharf, the beautiful mile-long stretch along the Potomac River, is a splendid choice for your Washington DC engagement photos. I found this out while doing Chantel and Jean’s engagement session there, discovering that there are several cool spots along the water that make for great scenic backdrops.

The Wharf’s Best Spots for Washington DC Engagement Photos

Chantel and Jean started their engagement photos in front of the cute pink “smores” vintage Airstream camping trailer that normally sits behind a blazing fire pit in the evening, but we found that it was decked out with gorgeous cascading flower pots during the day.

From there they walked down the Pearl Street corridor. The street is a special place where Chantel and Jean often come for date nights. The hanging bistro lights and neon restaurant signs provided an interesting and colorful background.

We stopped when we reached the iconic District Square fountain at The Wharf and I let them share some sweet moments together while I stepped back and shot with a longer lens. This spot proved to be another great place for photos.

We ended their session along the Transit Pier. Here I caught some candid moments as they enjoyed using the swings that line the edge of the pier. The pier is also a prime spot to take photos with the Washington Monument in view across the Potomac.

Keep in mind that The Wharf does require a permit for photos that are to be used for editorial or commercial purposes. Location fees go towards The Wharf’s beautification and for its year-round free and public events.

The best times to take photos at The Wharf are weekday or weekend mornings when crowds are at a minimum.

Looking for an indoor location for your engagement photos in DC?

There are also some great DC locations that are perfect for indoor engagement photos. Check one of them out here.