Elizabeth & Nelson’s Engagement Session in Washington DC
They say that college is the time when you really discover who you are. Sometimes (if you’re really lucky) along that journey of self-discovery, you cross paths with your soul mate.
- Liz & Nelson -
They met in while in college at La Salle University in Philadelphia and have been together through law school, bar exams, long-distance and basic training. Here they are over 6 years later still making each other smile – they seem like they can’t get enough of each other. You could feel the energy between them. In fact, at the very beginning of the day, Rob told them how great their smiles are (check it out below!), and Liz said it’s very easy to smile, “especially when I’m looking at him.” How cute is that!?
After law school, Nelson didn’t want to be stuck behind a desk – so he joined the Marines, where he could practice law with more of a sense of adventure. Liz is also a lawyer and actually enjoys sitting behind a desk, pouring over books, problem solving and doing research. In fact, her current job gave her an opportunity to do some research at the Library of Congress. Even just walking around the city, you could see how well they work together. Nelson knew his way around because he used to jog around the landmarks although did not pay close attention to them. Liz had actually gone on several tours of the landmarks and knew all about them. In fact, Nelson was even surprised with how many little facts Liz knew about D.C. It became the joke of the day that Liz should be a tour guide for the city.
Monday was actually our first time meeting with Liz & Nelson, up until then we had only communicated through phone calls and e-mail. The four of us hit it off right away. It ends up we have quite a bit in common. Liz is from Connecticut (like Rob) and Nelson is from New Jersey (like me.) He was raised Catholic (like me) and she was raised Congregational (like Rob). They met in college – just like we did. And they’re planning a wedding from states away – exactly what we did. Plus, we even share the same political views, a discussion you’re bound to have while walking around D.C. a month before a presidential election.
Here are some of our favorites from Liz & Nelson’s session. Rob will narrate the photos below. Enjoy!! 
The sky (and weather for that matter) was INCREDIBLE for Liz & Nelson’s engagement session in DC. We went to many places in the city but spent some time around the Washington Monument.
We actually started the day in the neighborhood around our hotel. There were some really cool urban textures that we thought it would be cool to shoot against. This one is Kathleen’s view…
…and this one is mine.
Liz has such a great smile, especially when she looks at Nelson.
We took the Metro over to the monuments. On our way into the station we couldn’t help but to take a few photos on the escalators…
…and by the trains as well. I think it really adds to the whole city feel.
Aren’t these two so sweet?! This was right by the Washington Monument, I have never been so this was cool for me to experience.
I love hands, they are so emotional.
We spent some time in the many parks surrounding the monuments.
This reflecting pool with the Lincoln Monument in the background was such a cool place to shoot.
I made it a point to tell both Liz & Nelson that they had great eyes, they are such a beautiful and photogenic couple.
This one makes me laugh. Just as I started to take the shot, this runner came into the frame, I actually think it made the photo more interesting.
We headed over to the Lincoln monument for a some fun with the stairs, columns, textures and everything good!!
Here is Kathleen’s shot of them on the stairs…
…and here is mine.
Up on top of the stairs overlooking the reflecting pool.
This is one of my favorite black and whites, I love the clouds contrasting with the water from the pool.
I love when people think I am crazy when getting in interesting positions to get a shot. I actually had to lay on my back for this shot (in the middle of like a million tourists) take the photo upside down and then rotate it in post. I think it was totally worth it, I LOVE IT!!
This is a fun one.
On our way over to this really great restaurant for lunch (where we had mini-burgers and pizza - thank you to Liz & Nelson for taking us there!!) we stopped at another park because we thought the light was really nice.
It gave us a chance to relax for a couple of minutes…
…and have a little fun.
Again we really love hands, this one is a great shot that Kathleen got…
…while I got to have some tilt-shift fun.
How random is that door up there?!
Tilt-shift =
I spotted some grass surrounding some trees right in front of the White House, Nelson & Liz were up for anything so they laid right down in the grass. So awesome!
Some shadow love.
We really loved how happy a couple they are.
This was the last shot of the day and seemed to be the perfect way to finish this post. So sweet!!
Liz & Nelson – we had such a great time with you both. Thanks for our mini-tour, mini-burgers, and big laughs. We can’t wait for your wedding!!Rob & Kathleen
44 Comments
These are gorgeous! Great job! I love the one of them sitting in front of the reflecting pool. Very sweet and romantic shots!
Oooooh! Those clouds were A-Mazing! Grat shots as always. Loving the tilt shift….and especilaly the ones on the stairs and the Washington Monument. Love the shot looking up - beautiful framing. They look like a great couple!!
Great job guys. I love that there are like a million different poses here. The light and the color in them is insane too. Awesome job!
it would have been impossible to make these two look bad, but these photos are gorgeous. the lincoln memorial shot was totally worth laying on the ground for!
Such a great shoot! So many beautiful photos and a great mix of shots.
Oh my goodness, these pictures are absolutely awesome! You guys looked like you had a great time. My favorite is the grass, Liz looks almost angelic
I LOVE these. They are perfect.
These photos are fantastic! Love the pics and the couple!!!
Fantastic pictures!!!! Rob and Kathleen, you are both incredibly gifted photographers. I am really impressed with your work.
Liz and I work at the same law firm, and I’ve come to know and appreciate just how beautiful she is–on the outside (as can be seen in these pictures) and on the inside (as can be seen in her eyes and her smile). Nelson is one lucky man!
Rob & Kathleen you guys did such an amazing job - I LOVE them!! We had so much spending the day with you, thank you thank you thank you!
Hi Liz, vix’s sista just checking out the pics…wow and congrats! I love the shadow one but they are all so interesting and sweet!
I love the clouds. You really captured the love ;o) Congrats to both of you…can’t wait for the next post ;o)
Rob & Kathleen there are so many here that I love! What a gorgeous couple. I love the intro to this post, too. I love to hear about each couple’s unique love story!
I loved all these pictures. They really captured the personalities of these two wonderful young people.
Shar Farley
You guys look so happy together but I do have to admit that Nelson looks very effeminate. I don’t know if it’s the tight golf shirt or his dreesy bowling shoes. And what’s that leapfrog picture all about. Other than that you guys look great. Best of luck with everything.
Alright Liz, I see now why you HAD to have this photographer. Great choice!! I think my favorite is the shadow one, or the one by the tandem door. I can´t believe they managed to get a single foto without your cheesey picture face!! Anyway, these are really great, Nelson even smiled a couple of times. I love them.
Oh and I REALLY love that great little diddy they wrote about you guys.
love.
Haha these pictures are great. I esp like the one of Nelson jumping over you haha. But seriously they are great pictures and I’m very surprised that you got Nelson to pose for all of these. You guuuuyyyss arrrrrrreee soooo cuuuute (insert feminine voice)
You guys are so adorable! I love the candid photos
Liz! These pictures are so cute!!!!!!! All of the pictures are really good, I can’t choose a favorite. I like all of them. Yeah, I just scrolled through them all again bc I was wanted to list one that was a fav. but I can’t! Once again they’re all great. Ok, i love you BYE pooper
hot looking couple i want to stalk them. whats their facebook?
Liz-these pictures are amazing!!! Too many to pick a favorite.
absolutely beautiful! they kept getting better and better as i scrolled through!
These images capture the love and caring that this couple share.
The background of DC’s great timeless monuments jcontrast well with their freshness.
I especially like looking at the photos that show your faces. They say it all.
May that look be as radiant on your 40th anniversary.
Lucille
These pictures are amazing! They really capture what an amazing couple you truely are. You both look great!
Super cute! I went to DC in April for an engagement session and it was so much fun - it’s nice to go to a totally new place sometime. LOVE the ones around the monuments and that first one of the Washington monument. Hope your wedding went well yesterday
Those are some of the best and most natural pictures I’ve ever seen. You guys are great. Love it.
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!!!
Great job on the engagement photos. Best of luck with your wedding, Liz & Nelson!
I like the one by the statue of Lincoln. It’s to totally symbollic. Think about it!
aw you guys are so cute :]
what a great shoot guys! to be able to shoot in D.C. is such an amazing opportunity and you totally nailed it. too many favorites to list!
LOVING these! Ha, ha runners do make photos interesting
What was that door for? Really cool use of textures. Love the upside down rotated shot for sure! AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME as always.
These are the most artistic “engagement photos” I’ve ever seen!! The subjects (Liz & Nelson) only add to the beautiful shots - awsome job!!
way cool….exciting,emotional, touching and fun! great photographer and even better subjects
You guys look great together. Some of these pictures are real funny, and I am putting some jokes in the vault right now. Nelson will have to hear it next time I see him. Love you guys.
-Nick
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Great shots!
Wow, what beautiful photos! I love how the DC feel just glows through these images: the monuments, the metro, even the random door in the brick wall. My very favorite, though, is the b&w shot with the shadows kissing. So elegant and sweet at the same time. Kudos to Rob and Kathleen for lovely pictures, and congratulations Liz & Nelson!
oooooooh…all of the shots by the water on the mall are incredible! love the color choices in their clothes. Really works for me.
What a gorgeous couple!!!! My favorite is the grass, it’s absolutely amazing. I predict a beautiful future for the two of you. Congratulations and I wish you the best
Congratulations to the beautifull couple! I love each one of these pictures! we are very proud of you Neil and Elizabeth and I’m sure your dad is very proud too.. continue the journey together & may the peace and love of GOD always be with you. love you always
Alta & Enrique Vigier
Your pictures are awesome!!! We can’t wait for the wedding!
Love you guys-Dan and Kelli
!!!!!Caramba!!!!! que tremendas fotos, los felicito de antemano es un amigo de tu padre, en verdad les deseo todo lo bueno del mundo y que sean un matrimonio muy feliz.