Locations for your portraits

Are you wondering where to go to take great photos? Here are locations for photographers in Virginia, Maryland, and DC!

This list is ever-changing as I update it when I find new cool spots on my location scouting trips. If you find something amazing be sure to share it with me and I will add it! Some have additional permit fees and some are far enough away that I need to charge a travel fee.

When possible I have added a link to images of the location.

I have added the💰symbol to represent additional permit costs associated with the location. If it does not have a💰then there is no additional charge. My favorite locations are marked with a ❤️! Sometimes you might want portraits with your dog. They ALWAYS need to be on a leash. The locations that are dog friendly are marked with 🐕. If it’s far enough away from me I will need to charge a small travel fee noted with a 🚙.

Virginia

Alexandria County

Alexandria City ❤️🐕
A beautiful city with lots of diverse looks from cobbled stone streets, brick sidewalks, lots of pretty steps, walls, and views of Potomac.
No permit required. However, there is no trespassing on private property so we need to be mindful of where photographed.
Sample Images

Fairfax County

Burke Lake Park (Fairfax County Park) ❤️🐕
7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA
Requires an annual Fairfax County Permit. I always have this permit.
Forest, field and lake. Great any time of year but amazing in the fall.
Sample Images

Fairfax City ❤️🐕
Great location for a city/urban look. Beautiful brick sidewalks and street lamps. Pretty alleyways and store fronts and the Old Town Square has a pretty fountain area.
Parking Garage: 3950 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030
Outside Parking: 10412 Sager Ave, Fairfax, VA 22030
See Images

George Mason University Fairfax Campus
4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA
Pretty Lake and grounds

George Masons Gunston Hall 💰❤️🐕
10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck, VA
Beautiful property with George Masons home. Fields, and several pretty roads including the drive up to the home lined with large Magnolia Trees. Field behind house you can see Potomac. Garden behind the home (currently under construction as of 2021). Please note no images can be taken inside the home. Dogs allowed on a leash.
$50 for 2 hours of photography for 8+ people in the party there is a $25 additional fee. (see more)
See Images

Green Spring Garden (Fairfax County Park) ❤️🐕
4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA
Beautiful location and a favorite of mine. Many different looks from a field to forest and even a pond. Looks great anytime of year but prettiest in the spring and summer.
Requires an annual Fairfax County permit (I always have this) and a reservation.
Dogs allowed on leash
See Images

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (NOVA Parks) 💰
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA 22182
Regular Admission Fee’s for each person including Photographer
$25 permit fee for each party a photographer meets at garden.
No Dogs Allowed

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg City, VA 🚙🐕
A super adorable town with lots of amazing options for an urban feel. Totally work the trip but I will charge a travel fee.
See Images

Loudoun County

Ida Lee Park 💰🚙
Leesburg, VA
Trees, a big red barn, fences. Travel fee and possible permit fee.

Morven Park 💰💰🚙
Leesburg, VA
$100 for 2 hours photography permit fee reservations needed a minimum of 2 business days in advance.

Prince William County

Town of Occoquan ❤️ 🐕
Occoquan, VA
No Permit Needed
Great little town for portraits! City streets and parks to give a variety of looks.
See Images

Washington D.C.🚙

🚙 Please note anything in DC has a travel fee.

🚫City Center DC – NO PROFESSIONAL SESSIONS ALLOWED
I am totally bummed about this because it is pretty cool. You might see people taking pictures, but PRO photos are not allowed. But I would love to meet you for coffee down there! Super cool place.
Parking is tricky (see parking & directions)

Dumbarton House 🚙
2517 Q Street NW, Washington D.C.
Photography on the grounds is free.
Closed on Mondays. – Must book 2 weeks before session.
Will need to contact them and make sure there are no special events planned for the day of your photoshoot.

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden 💰💰🚙
1644 31st Street NW, Washington D.C.
This location is best suited for weddings due to the higher permit fee.
$100/hr for the Garden
$100/hr for the 1870s Dower House admin building
$300/hr for the Historic House

U.S. National Arboretum 💰💰🚙
$105 for 1 hour of photography permit fee and reservations needed a minimum of 2 weeks in advance. (see 2020 USNA application)

Yards Park 💰🚙
355 Water Street SW, Washington D.C.
Great water feature!
Dogs must be leashed.

Maryland 🚙

🚙 Everything in Maryland has a travel fee.

Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower 💰💰🚙
Currently Closed due to COVID-19
Baltimore, MD

Fort Washington Park, MD (National Park) 💰💰🚙
13551 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington, MD
Permits required

Graffiti Alley 🚙
Baltimore, MD
Great Urban place for images. I only go with a small group and my VIP Seniors.

Patapsco Valley State Park, MD 🚙
Waterfalls, Trails
Near Baltimore
Fees: Still looking for details.

• Raw Dawgs Concert
• Carson and Vielka
• Locations for your portraits
• Use digital staging to sell your property
• The pink parachute dress