When Catherine and Jason told me they wanted to have their engagement pictures taken in Washington D.C., I was delighted at the opportunity. I was so excited I didn't worry about the details. I knew they'd come together but I just had to say yes!
Okay, I've said yes so now it was down to getting it done. I rarely venture into D.C. I love the memorials, the museums, the sites and shops but the driving and parking, not so much. As my daughter would say, "No thank you."
My first plan of action was to find a driver. Fortunately, I have the most amazing father who just so happens to know that area like the back of his hand. For a tank of gas, a hot meal and a grateful daughter he will do just about anything.
Second plan of action, figure out how I'm going to get these gigantic memorials into an image without completely losing the subjects. So I rented a wide angle lens from borrowlens.com. The 16-35 2.8 Canon L-series.
And last, get the permit. That's right a permit. Who knew? Fortunately I did some research and was advised in the nick of time that I better get a permit or the park police would boot us out. Just a word of advice, if you are doing any professional photography in the Washington D.C. area, I highly recommend the permit. Here's the link to apply National Park Service. It's a $50 application fee and a $50 land use fee. I will not complain because the client covered the charge, but seriously? When we were approached by the park police I was relieved. At least it was worth it. He was ready to give us 'the speech' and get us out of there. It brought me joy to pull the 10 page document out of my camera bag. Below is one of my favorite shots. There are many but I just love this one at the Reflecting Pool.
After I got over my initial excitement a familiar feeling started to wash over me. Reverence and a little bit of sadness. Certainly not anything that interfered with the job at hand, but you can't help feeling the presence of soldiers who gave their lives for us, for our freedom, for our country. It's the ultimate sacrifice. These men and women laid down their lives for us. I get choked up when I think about it. It's overwhelming the sense you have when you are at the memorial sites. I had to shut down a part of me and almost pretend as if I wasn't in the midst of someone who died for me. I tried looking through my camera lens as much as possible. I found comfort in looking through the viewfinder. I could make the bigness of it all a lot smaller. I could see Catherine and Jason clearer and all the stars and names smaller. Here we are at the National WWII Memorial. Each star represents 100 soldiers that died in the war.
Later I talked with my father who is a retired officer. I told him I had difficulty making a connection between celebration and reverence, conveying a sense of romance and patriotism. He put it so perfectly for me and I will never forget what he said. He said, "When you think of them, all the soldiers that died for us, what do you think they died for? They died so we could love, so we could live, and be happy. Do you know how happy they would be to see Catherine and Jason living a life of freedom, a life of new love?" That's when I made the connection. Washington D.C. is love. They loved us and future generations. I'd like to think some may see down from heaven and smile that their sacrifice was for great purpose and great joy.
I think the Capital was one of my favorite spots. The sky was so blue and it was gorgeous. I wanted them to have fun, loving images that captured the excitement of the new life they are starting together.
After finishing up at the memorials we headed to park for some relaxed and casual shots. I loved these too.
I could not have picked anyone else who I would have rather spent this time with. Catherine and Jason are very much in love. They are headed into sharing their lives together as husband and wife and I am once again honored to be a part of this special time. I am so blessed and thankful. My cup runneth over.
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