PHOTOGRAPHY

Shelly Pate

JOANNA + ETHAN | NATIONAL ARBORETUM | DC WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Love birds + wide open fields. Floral dresses + windblown hair. All the things I love! These two wanted a natural backdrop for their DC engagement photos and what better place than the National Arboretum? Like seriously, it is amazing that this huge amount of land is right in DC (… um YES all of my dreams coming true!). I had so much fun getting to know these two vocal musicians as we ventured around the property. While Ethan is a professional Opera singer, Joanna is the front woman for the Foggy Bottom Whomp-Stompers who (I hear) will be playing at their wedding reception! (My fingers are crossed that the bride to be will join in for a few songs!)

We spent the day exploring- taking photos in the bonsai gardens and running around in the wide open field that houses the original columns for the capital building. For those of you who have never been, it is quite the epic sight. Oh and the two literally risked death to tightrope walk across a fallen tree but man was it worth it! Couples that are down for whatever and contribute to the creative side of their photos make my soul soar. Joanna + Ethan are complete each other and were so comfortable together. I am all about photographing adventurous people in love – they totally fit the bill.

The two are going to include their love of nature and the outdoors in their wedding day as they say their vows at Rock Hill Plantation later this year. These two are why I love being a wedding photographer in DC- never know what adventures we will find ourselves!

Check out their wedding photos !

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