Lila & Tyler reached out looking for a beautiful cherry blossom engagement session that represented their home of DC. They planned to elope in Las Vegas, so it was important to them to have some images here. We decided on a sunrise session at the Tidal Basin during the peak of the Cherry Blossom bloom. I absolutely love their images. Lila’s pale pink dress was the perfect compliment to the flowering trees, and she had such a positive energy even though it was chilly! We had so much fun wandering the Tidal Basin and creating these iconic images for them. 

Tips for the Cherry Blossom Session at the Tidal Basin 

Cherry Blossom sessions are stunning, but they look a little different from other sessions on the back end. First, there is a $140 National Parks Service fee to obtain a photography permit to photograph at the Tidal Basin. I will handle the application process for you, but the cost is added to your session. Second, since we rely on the trees being at peak bloom for the best photos, they require quite a bit of flexibility. Each year, I start a Cherry Blossom list of couples who have reached out with interest. This list generally fills up by January, so make sure you inquire with me early!

From there, I’ll keep an eye on the predicted bloom dates and send out an email around March 1st to schedule your tentative session date. However, as we approach the week of peak bloom, there may be some slight changes, so be sure to keep your calendar open! 

Since Cherry Blossom sessions are so popular, it’s important to remember you won’t be the only couple out there. In fact, there are usually hundreds of people on the Tidal Basin, even at sunrise. But no worries, I have years of experience photographing here, so trust that I can make it look like you’re the only two souls there! With so many people around it’s also important to bring as little with you as possible – it’s not a good idea to leave any bags unattended, though I’m happy to hold onto your keys and phones during the session. I do recommend bringing a spare pair of shoes with you since the Tidal Basin floods often and I would hate for your nice shoes to get covered in mud. With a little patience and flexibility, a beautiful and iconic cherry blossom session is possible!

Cherry Blossom season is such a special time in DC, and a great opportunity for beautiful photos. It’s never too early to get on my calendar for your cherry blossom engagement session. Reach out soon! 

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