If historic buildings, gorgeous well maintain gardens, and breathtaking natural sites sound like your kind of thing, it’s time to plan a trip to Northern Virginia. This part of the state is a rich tapestry, giving you nearly every kind of backdrop you could possibly dream up. It’s one of the many things that make it the ideal destination for your engagement photo session! As a Virginia wedding photographer and videographer, I get to go all across the state, collecting my favorite locations. If you have been looking for engagement session locations in Northern Virginia, here are the spots I always recommend!
Disclaimer: The photos in this blog are from Old Town Alexandria, the DC Monuments, Airlie, and National Gallery of Art, but I truly adore every location mentioned!
Take Your Pick From These Stunning Engagement Session Locations In Northern Virginia
Old Town Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia
To take a walk down the streets of Old Town Alexandria is to step back through the pages of time. Cobblestone streets lead the way to colorful brick buildings while sailboats break across the waves. There is simply so much to take in across this area, including an open-air museum, historically significant buildings, and divine restaurants. Trust me, there’s a reason why it’s been named one of the top cities in the country! Because this Northern Virginia location is public, you don’t have to worry about photography permits throughout your engagement session. Just be warned that it can get pretty crowded, especially throughout the weekends and the summertime. If you want to avoid tourists, I would recommend booking your session during the fall. Bonus: you’ll get the bright colors of the trees in your pics!
State Arboretum of Virginia
400 Blandy Farm Ln, Boyce, Virginia 22620
If you are looking for an engagement location off the beaten path, the State Arboretum of Virginia might just be your Northern Virginia spot. Owned by the University of Virginia, this location gives you 172 acres of breathtaking exteriors. While you are visiting, you can take a walk through the Gingko Grove or walk through the Conifer Trail, where you can see all kinds of wildlife. This property is especially magical throughout autumn when a thick canopy of orange leaves takes over the view. They don’t require any fees or permits, but donations are always appreciated!
Manassas National Battlefield Park
6511 Sudley Road, Manassas, Virginia 20109
If you are the type of couple who just can’t get enough of history, Manassas National Battlefield Park is your spot! Most people who decide to visit here mostly stick with the battlefield itself, focusing on the cannons resting in front of the historic buildings. When you stray away from the tourist-heavy spots, however, you will be left with acres of untouched wilderness. Wildflowers blanket the meadows throughout Spring and summer, while the foliage becomes brilliant throughout the fall. The Northern Virginia park is completely free to access, and it does not require a permit for engagement sessions. They also do welcome dogs on the grounds as long as they are kept on leashes for your entire visit.
Sky Meadows State Park
11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane, Virginia 20144
Sky Meadows State Park gives you 1,860 acres that you can explore throughout your photo session. The heart of this area is a historic farm dedicated to showing visitors the realities of life throughout the colonial times. During your session, you can spend some time around the manor, sharing a kiss in front of the fence before checking out the rustic barn. From there, you will be able to access over 10 miles of trails. The park is fabulous between the spring and autumn seasons when the Blue Ridge Mountains are at their peak. In order to use the park, you will need to request a permit through their website.
The Winery at Bull Run
15950 Lee Hwy, Centreville, Virginia 20120
At The Winery at Bull Run, they are obsessive over what they do. They love inviting people to come out and take a front row seat to the distilling process. Not only are the wines exceptional, but the views are breathtaking! You can gaze out and see row after row of vines with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. This Northern Virginia vineyard is very accommodating to photographers and engagement sessions. They ask that you secure a permit ahead of time and have the application online. You will pay $100 and must complete the application at least 72 hours ahead of the session. I recommend using this location for late Spring and early summer sessions!
Blue Valley Vineyard
5535 Blue Valley Way, Delaplane, Virginia 20144
Blue Valley Vineyard is located out in the countryside of Delaplane. This stunning property combines carefully maintained landscaping with natural beauty to give you a backdrop unlike any other. Whether you want to climb up the crags or share a kiss in the field with the barn silo behind you, they have just the thing! The property is privately owned, so you will need to contact them before your portrait session to get permission. I always recommend this area for summer or autumn portraits when the leaves are at their best!
Mountain Run Winery
10753 Mountain Run Lake Road, Culpeper, Virginia 22701
If you love the vineyard feel but prefer something a little more rustic, I would love to tell you all about Mountain Run Winery! This location features acres of perfectly kept vines that show off throughout the Spring and summer. Once you are done getting your pictures taken out in the fields, you can head out to the barn, complete with age-worn beams. They have a photography permit directly on their website where you can reserve your date and find out all the guidelines. They do not require a fee as long as your session takes place during their regular business hours.
Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
Honestly, Shenandoah National Park is a Northern Virginia engagement session location so amazing that it deserves its own post! The area is made up of over 313 square miles, with the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains serving as a breathtaking background. This area is perfect starting in late Spring all the way through the end of fall. From wildflower-dotted meadows to cascading waterfalls, you’ll be able to find tons of destinations for your pics. Need help deciding where to go? Then plan a drive down Skyline Drive that will take you from one end of the park to the other. You will need to pay the access fee to get into the park, but you will not need to apply for a permit for your session.
Stone Tower Winery
19925 Hogback Mountain Rd, Leesburg, Virginia 20175
Stone Tower Winery is a unique space determined to bring history back into the art of winemaking. To schedule a tasting at this place is to learn all about the hard work that goes into each blessed glass. While the wine might be the primary reason why people visit this space, I simply cannot get over the views! With acres of green farm space, wooden bridges, and picturesque ponds, there are simply so many dreamy backdrops you can use for your photos! In order to take your photos on-site, you will need to apply for a photo permit. This area is fabulous year-round, though I tend to prefer it throughout the Spring and summer.
Oatlands Historic House & Gardens
20850 Oatlands Plantation Ln, Leesburg, VA 20175
If you love the idea of a little bit of nature and class then Oatland Historic House and its gardens are perfect for your session. The gardens boast beautiful hedges, trees, a stunning water feature, stone staircases, and of course the house itself. Across the rest of the property is gorgeous open fields, gravel roads, and other historic cottage style archetecture. At the time of this blog there is a fee of $100 to take photos here but it is so worth it. There is a ton of property to explore and lots of garden landscaping which makes it a great fit for a session any time of year.
Morven Park
17195 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Morven Park is an equestrian center with a beautiful exterior. The property is very well-maintained with a classic Southern mansion resting at the heart of the estate. I love using the stately white building and soft green shades as a backdrop for portraits! Once you are done sharing a kiss beneath the columns of the entrance, you can head out to the rest of the property where scenic walkways have been surrounded by thoughtfully planted flowers. The grounds are so massive that you’ll have your choice for backgrounds throughout your session including garden pools and ivy-draped walls. The grounds do not require a permit during normal hours, but you will need to pay for access once they close.
Airlie
6809 Airlie Road, Warrenton, Virginia 20187
Airlie gives you pretty much the best of every world for your engagement session in Northern Virginia! The house dates back to 1899, when a writer named Harry Connolley Groome purchased the land and built a Georgian-style revival home. Over the years, the place has been transformed into a boutique luxury hotel where you can come and escape the pressures of the outside world. The grounds are so lovingly landscaped that many couples use this space for their weddings. I especially love it throughout early Spring when the landscaping fills up with colors! In order to take your engagement photos here, you will need to make a reservation and pay a one-time fee.
Goodstone Inn
36205 Snake Hill Rd, Middleburg, Virginia 20117
Located in the heart of the Virginia wine country, Goodstone Inn brings you a retreat that feels as though it’s from another time. The cozy historic buildings, complete with towering silos and rustic barns, will set the tone for your day here. You can meet the farm animals, see where the inn plants their fresh produce, or take in the pollinator garden complete with honeybees buzzing around. Throughout the warmer seasons, this spot is lush and verdant with ivy covering the walls for a truly decadent backdrop. If you use this spot for your photos, you will need to coordinate it with the location ahead of your session and pay the one-time permit fee.
DC Engagement Session Locations Just Outside of Northern Virginia
Washington DC Monuments
Washington DC
I don’t know if the area gets any more iconic than the Washington, DC Monuments. While you can find them all across the district, the National Mall will have the most variety, offering you everything from the picturesque Jefferson Memorial to the legendary Washington Memorial. In order to use this spot, there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, this area gets crowded, especially during cherry blossom season in Spring. If you want to avoid the major crowds, I would stick with weekday sunrise sessions or autumn sessions. Secondly, the NPS does require a permit, complete with a $90 application processing fee, for any photography. Once you have all that covered, though, you should be golden!
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20540
While the inside of the Library of Congress holds some of the most significant works of our country, the building itself is nearly as impressive! The limestone facade is elegant and stately, while the copper fixtures outside have been covered in a green patina. In order to use this Northern Virginia location for your engagement session, you will need to get a permit. If you choose to stick to the exterior, you will need prior permission from the Capitol police. The building allows interior photography in certain rooms with a one-hour limit for usage, and you will need to file for a permit ahead of your date. They recommend coming before 10:30 AM or after 3:30 PM Monday-Saturday so you can avoid the crowds.
National Gallery of Art
6th St and Constitution Ave, Washington, DC 20565
The National Gallery of Art is another fabulous spot in DC for your portraits. With this location, you are going to have several options. There is the classic limestone facade of the West Building, the modern brutalist exterior of the East Building, or the incredible artwork located throughout the Sculpture Garden. Art lovers can also head inside the West Building for portraits amidst the paintings or the breathtaking architecture. As of 2024, the building no longer requires permits for photo sessions inside or outside the museum. They have a few requests, however, including no disrupting visitors and no elaborate gear such as flashes or tripods. This is always a fabulous spot for a winter session since you can look elegant while keeping warm.
Your Love Story Will Be Beautiful At My Favorite Engagement Session Locations In Northern Virginia
If you are looking for the best engagement session locations in Northern Virginia, I really hope this list helps you out! Now, you just need the right photographer there to capture your session. I can help with that, too! I am a Virginia wedding photographer and videographer, and I love working with couples as they start to plan their dream celebrations. If you want to see if my style matches yours, let’s chat! Send me a message today if you would like to learn more.
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