Dumbarton Oaks Park Engagement With a Dog: Nicole + Derek
Updated: 6 days ago
Nicole and Derek's engagement session at Dumbarton Oaks Park in Washington, D.C., was an extraordinary and memorable experience. The beautiful park, with its charming gardens and stunning architecture, provided the perfect setting for their photo shoot.
Nicole and Derek met back in 2013 while on a fall break trip to San Diego. Since then, they have lived all over the country, from Philadelphia to Chicago and now in D.C. Despite their different personalities, with Nicole being more type-A and Derek being more relaxed and laid-back, they balance each other out perfectly.
One of the highlights of their engagement session was the inclusion of their beloved dog, Wrigley. Although he can be a bit of a handful at times, he adds so much joy and personality to their relationship. Seeing Nicole and Derek interact with Wrigley during the photo shoot was a true joy.
If you're looking for a beautiful and peaceful location in Washington, D.C. , for a photo shoot or to spend some time, I highly recommend Dumbarton Oaks Park. It's an extraordinary place that is sure to provide a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Explore more engagement photography by Mantas Kubilinskas.
Nicole, Derek and Wrigley: the part of the session no pose can replace
Nicole and Derek have made a life together across different cities, and Wrigley is part of that life. The interesting thing about photographing a couple with their dog is not getting three faces to look at the lens at once. It is noticing who reaches for the leash, who laughs when the dog changes direction and how comfortable everyone seems when the camera is no longer the center of attention.
At Dumbarton Oaks Park, I would keep the route short enough that the dog can enjoy it. Bring water, check current leash and park access rules, and ask someone Wrigley knows to help when the couple wants a few portraits alone. It is much easier to make a relaxed photograph when nobody is also trying to manage a distracted animal.
An engagement session should have more than one kind of picture. A wider frame can set the scene among trees and paths, while close photographs can concentrate on Nicole and Derek's very different personalities. The little moments between those are often what make a gallery worth revisiting years later.
Before planning a shoot around any private garden or building, confirm its permission and entrance requirements. A photograph taken in a park is not proof that every nearby space is available.
How to plan a session like this
Start with the experience rather than a long list of poses. Choose one or two visual priorities, build the route around the best light, and leave enough time to walk, talk, and settle into the session. When several locations are involved, fewer stops usually create a stronger gallery because there is more time to photograph what is actually happening.
What helps photographs feel natural
You do not need to know how to pose. I give simple direction when it improves the composition, then let movement and conversation take over. Comfortable shoes, an outfit you can move in, and a little flexibility with timing make a bigger difference than trying to reproduce photographs from someone else's session.
