DC Cherry Blossom Mini Sessions

Cherry blossoms are an extremely popular time for scheduling photography sessions in Washington, DC! Each year we offer a select amount of bookings for cherry blossom mini sessions and full sessions at the Tidal Basin for peak bloom! Use our contact form for current rates and availability!

During spring in Washington, DC celebrates The National Cherry Blossom Festival at The Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial! The annual festival celebrates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo to the city of Washington DC and honoring the friendship between The United States and Japan. Today the festival last about four weekends and attracts about 1.5 million tourist. The blossoms can be seen around The Tidal Basin, Jefferson Memorial, MLK Memorial, and many other areas. Many couples choose the Cherry Blossoms as the perfect time to plan their surprise marriage proposal or engagement session but there are some things to keep in mind!

Dealing with tourist and large crowds: The Cherry Blossom Festival attracts many tourist! So avoiding the busiest times will be beneficial to make sure there is space to get photos without people in them. Sunrise sessions are highly recommended as there are not many tourist out just after sunrise. The later in the day the busier it gets. Going on weekdays instead of weekends is also helpful! During your session we can stop by some of the lower traffic locations to get shots without tourist in them.

Peak Bloom: many clients like to have their photos during peak bloom! Peak bloom happens when 70% or more of the cherry trees blossoms are out. The peak bloom may only last for a few days but the week before or after the bloom will still have many trees in bloom. Peak bloom can be hard to predict especially if you are coming from out of town on a planned trip. If you are flexible on dates, I am happy to be flexible in planning spur of the moment to go during peak bloom for photography sessions! You can read more about peak bloom and up to date predictions on cherryblossomwatch.com. Peak bloom depends on the years rainfall and temperature.

Transportation: As The Cherry Blossom festival attracts thousands of tourist it is recommended to use transportation such as Uber or Metro instead of driving as parking is limited! Metered Parking may be available if you are planning a sunrise session. 

Other Locations: Aside from The Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial there are other locations around Washington DC that also have Cherry Blossoms. The National Arboretum and grounds at The Capital also have Cherry Blossoms and other great views. Ask about other locations when planning.

Client Reviews

“Jon shot a surprise engagement for us at cherry blossoms up in DC. His efforts were outstanding. Throughout the process (3 months) we kept in contact with him always responding quickly. Jon arrived extremely early the day of the engagement which was good because we got there early as well. Jon knew exactly where he wanted to take pictures but also asked us several times if we had any requests. He sent us a few pictures the same day and we got the full album in less than a week. I highly recommend him.”

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Surprise Proposal Photography includes detailed planning/advice, photography session to capture the proposal moment, portraits afterwards, and your online gallery of your beautifully processed high resolution images. The online gallery is easy to share with friends and family! 

Learn more about planning a surprise proposal or engagement session at The Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC by using the contact form or emailing jonflemingphotography@gmail.com

DC Smithsonian Castle Elopement

The Smithsonian Castle is the original building of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. It was completed in 1855 and serves as the institution's administrative headquarters. The castle was designed by James Renwick, Jr. in the Gothic Revival style and is made of red sandstone. It houses Smithsonian offices, as well as a museum displaying artifacts and information about the Smithsonian's history. Visitors can take tours of the castle and see its beautiful architecture and gardens. The Smithsonian Castle is a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public daily, admission is free. The Enid A. Haupt Garden is a beautiful and popular garden located behind the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C. It was created in 1987 and is named after Enid A. Haupt, a philanthropist and supporter of the Smithsonian Institution. The garden is designed in a formal style, with a large central fountain and a variety of seasonal flowers and plants. It is divided into several smaller garden spaces, each with its own unique character and design. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the garden throughout the year, as the plants and flowers are changed seasonally to provide a variety of colors and textures. The garden also features many sculptures and monuments, including a bronze statue of James Smithson, the founder of the Smithsonian Institution. The Enid A. Haupt Garden is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk, and it offers an oasis of greenery and tranquility in the heart of the city.

Check out this self officiated wedding in DC in front of the Smithsonian Castle!

Learn more about booking your wedding photography with Jon Fleming Photography by using the contact form or emailing jonflemingphotography@gmail.com

Jon Fleming is a Washington DC wedding & event photographer with 10+ years experience!

Wedding Photography with Jon Fleming Photography includes Jon Fleming as your lead photographer and an easy to use online gallery of high resolution edited images retelling the story of your wedding day!

Photo Booth Rentals include your choice of backdrop, custom designed 4x6 print template, friendly attendant, instant printing, instant social media sharing and online gallery of digital images.