If I could bottle the energy from this engagement session and sprinkle it over every shoot—I would in a heartbeat. This one was playful, flirty, full of laughter, and totally them. And it all happened on the water’s edge at Columbia Island Marina, with a sailboat docked just right and the Washington Monument glimmering in the distance.

This sweet couple knew from the start they wanted their engagement photos to feel like home. For them, that meant water, sunshine, and being on their beloved boat. So that’s exactly what we did—no setting sail necessary! Every shot on the boat was taken right on the dock, and let me tell you, it felt like we were cruising straight into golden hour joy.

From the moment we started, they were laughing, teasing, sneaking kisses, and doing the kind of sweet little things that make photos pop with personality. Yes, I’m giving direction the whole time (you know I’ve got you!), but what really makes the magic is when couples add in their own sparkle. The way he helped her onto the boat with a cheeky grin, or the way she’d lean into him mid-laugh—those moments? That’s the good stuff. That’s YOU.

After we got all the boat cuddles and flirty grins we could handle, we wandered over to the walking path nearby. With sweeping willow trees and that iconic Washington Monument view in the background, the scene turned effortlessly romantic. The way they moved together—hands intertwined, shoulders bumping playfully—it was like they forgot the camera was even there.

And then, back to the boat we went for the perfect ending: a champagne toast. The bottle popped, the bubbles flowed, and the giggles definitely got louder. It was celebration, love, and joy all wrapped up in one perfect little dockside moment.

Sessions like this are my favorite kind—where we blend guided posing with your real, unfiltered personality. It’s fun, it’s relaxed, and most importantly, it’s you two.

So if you're planning your engagement session, here's your friendly reminder: bring the energy, bring the flirting, and bring all the little quirks that make your love one-of-a-kind. I’ll handle the rest. 🥂⛵💛