Washington, D.C. is one of the most iconic cities in the country for portraits and family photography. From the monuments to historic architecture and hidden gardens, there are countless beautiful backdrops throughout the city.
If you’re looking for the best photo session locations in Washington, D.C., as a Northern Virginia Family Photographer, these are some of my favorite spots for timeless family photos.
Best Photo Session Locations in Washington, D.C.
The Jefferson Memorial | Popular D.C. Family Photo Location
This is by far the most popular location I shoot at in Washington, D.C. and for good reason. You get a view of the Tidal Basin, the Washington Monument, and the beautiful architecture and stone pillars and steps of the Jefferson Memorial.
The Lincoln Memorial | Iconic Washington D.C. Photo Location
Despite the Lincoln Memorial being a bit under construction until 2026, this is still another top location in the District. You can easily walk the steps of the Lincoln, getting the statue of Lincoln himself in the background or turn around and get the Washington Monument in the background from the steps. Then walk down near the reflecting pool for some of the most dreamy images with the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol in the background.
If you’re willing to take a bit more of a walk, heading over to Constitution Gardens afterward is also fun to get some more variety, like this.
The National Gallery of Art
This indoor free art museum is not only a great place to visit just for fun, but is a great photo session location. It’s free to enter, free to shoot in, offers lots of open space, and is my go-to backup indoor location in case it rains and we cannot reschedule.
The U.S. Capitol
There’s something so special about the U.S. Capitol building and the surrounding areas. While it may seem like an odd location on this list, it’s usually not busy near the Capitol, especially on a weekend morning, since it’s off the main path of the National Mall.
You can either shoot in Union Square, or get a little closer by being near the Library of Congress on the backside.
Haines Point Loop
During Cherry Blossom season, Haines Point is a great spot to capture the cherry blossom trees, which I much prefer over the Tidal Basin area. There is both Yoshino cherry blossoms (pictured below) and Kwanzan cherry blossoms.
Here’s my daughter on her 8th birthday with the cherry blossoms on Haines Point.
Other Great Locations not pictured:
- DC War Memorial
- The National Portrait Gallery
- The National Cathedral (requires permit)
- Rock Creek Park
- The Library of Congress
- DAR Constitution Hall
There are countless other locations – too many to list here – but these are some good ones. Something to note about any location in D.C. is that a permit may be required. The permit process for each location may change from time to time, so it’s essential to check local websites and verify that photo sessions are allowed and what the permit process is. As your photographer, I walk you through this whole process and secure the permit for any session.
Another thing to note is to always check for events in D.C. before scheduling your session. There are many parades, road races, and other big events that can shut down major roads and make certain areas completely inaccessible – ask me how I know! I always do my best to check for any known events and avoid scheduling sessions on those days.
Shooting in D.C. never disappoints. You can’t get a backdrop like it anywhere else. It’s so iconic and has views that many people recognize, even if they’re not from the area. Having a photo session in Washington, D.C. is always a good idea!
About the Photographer
Melissa Sheridan Photography offers family, maternity, and newborn photography for clients across Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland. Her approach is warm, thoughtful, and relaxed – focused on capturing what’s real, not just what’s posed. Whether documenting a quiet moment at home or a walk through a local park, she helps families feel seen and supported during these meaningful seasons of life. Interested in booking a session? Reach out to learn more.
