Andria and Darren’s Washington DC Engagement Photos

Our nation’s capital is a sweet city for photo shoots. Aside from famous landmarks, there’s a plethora of parks and secret side streets that make for one-of-a-kind Washington DC engagement photos. We were stoked when Andria Fernandez and Darren Kataja booked Fancy This Photography for their fall DC engagement photo session. 

Although they first met in Chapel Hill, their relationship deepened in The District. This is not uncommon for many Carolina couples. Fancy This Photography has a good deal of experience taking engagement and wedding photos in DC. From NC to DC, it’s an easy four-hour drive or one-hour flight. 

Some of our favorite iconic places to take engagement photos in DC include the CityCenter, Library of Congress, Union Station and Union Market. However, we really enjoyed that Andria and Darren wanted engagement photos that felt more like "them." This gallery is extra special because they chose DC locations that they frequent often. 

“Overall, we wanted our photo locations to showcase our lives in DC - places we’ve spent time together and with friends as we’ve built our relationship,” Andria says. 

Blagden Alley was the first stop. Located in Naylor Court Historic District in Washington, DC’s Shaw neighborhood, these alleyways are home to delicious restaurants, lively bars, coffee shops, and street art. Andria and Darren have made many memories in Blagden Alley, including their first post-pandemic lockdown date at Tiger Fork - a yummy Chinese bistro. 

For more details on Andria and Darren’s love story and Washington DC engagement photos, keep scrolling! 

Andria Fernanadez and Darren Kataja kiss in front of the LOVE mural by Lisa Marie Thalhammer in Blagden Alley. Washington DC engagement photos by Fancy This Photography.

Andria & Darren’s Love Story

Andria, originally from Pembroke Pines, Florida, first locked eyes with Concord, North Carolina-born Darren during her senior year at UNC Chapel Hill. Courtney, a close friend of Andria’s, played the role of matchmaker by giving Darren her friend’s phone number. The couple continued to date long distance after a successful first date in Chapel Hill. Darren, a recent UNC grad, lived and worked in DC while Andria moved to New York City upon her own graduation. The couple jokes that they never “made things official,” but rather refused to stop seeing each other until Andria moved to DC permanently.  

Andria and Darren were eating pastries and sipping coffee in Montmartre, an authentic village in the heart of Paris on the morning of June 6, 2022. They spent the rest of the day meandering through the city with friends Ian and Jess. As sunset neared, the four made their way to the Eiffel Tower with baguettes, wine, cheese, cherries, and eclairs in hand. Andria was eager to find a picnic spot after a full day of walking and sight-seeing. They finally settled on a picturesque patch in Trocadéro Gardens. Darren says this is when he got nervous for the first time all day. He was anxious to get the hidden engagement ring out of his backpack and onto her finger. After snapping a few well-lit photos of Ian and Jess, it was Andria and Darren’s turn to smile for the camera. He then got down on one knee and asked her to say “yes” to forever.    

Cleverly titled XXIV Carrot, we couldn’t resist taking a Washington DC engagement photo in front of Marcella Kriebel’s mural in Blagden Alley.

Washington DC Engagement Photos in Meridian Hill Park 

Meridian Hill Park, also known by locals as Malcolm X Park, is a gorgeous Italian-style garden located in the Washington, DC neighborhood of Columbia Heights. This now public park was once the private property of early colonist John Porter and then President John Quincy Adams. The park was softly blanketed by orange and yellow leaves on this beautiful, albeit rainy, day in October. Nikki photographed Andria and Darren as they walked through the park, stopping to stand on cascading staircases and sit beneath the branches of historic trees. 

“Meridian Hill Park is a perfect spot for a picnic with friends on a spring or fall weekend,” Andria says. “Or summer, if you bring enough cold drinks.”

Andria and Darren walked through Meridian Hill Park for some fall Washington DC engagement photos by Fancy This Photography.

Washington DC Engagement Photos at Le Caprice DC Café Bakery

A neighborhood coffee shop was one of Andria and Darren’s DC engagement photo locations. Le Caprice DC Café Bakery is a chill French-inspired joint in Columbia Heights that serves up scrumptious sandwiches, quiche and pastries. Nikki asked the bakery’s permission to take photos upon arrival. After they kindly said yes, the couple got their usual coffee and croissants and hopped back in front of the camera. 

Fancy This Photography’s best advice when it comes to taking engagement photos in Washington DC is this: if you’re not good with parallel parking, you are better off walking!

Andria and Darren stopped by Le Caprice DC Café Bakery, one of their favorite local spot’s, for some sweet Washington DC engagement photos.

Five Quick Tips for At-Home Engagement Photos 

Andria and Darren wrapped up their Washington DC engagement photos with an intimate at-home session. Here are five quick tips for taking at-home engagement photos: 

• Pop some bubbly. Nothing says “we’re engaged” like a bottle of champagne. Get some candid (or plandid?) shots pouring it up and clinking those classic flute-shaped glasses. Plus, these celebratory drinks will help you kick back and relax like you authentically do at home.  

• Cook something special. Spice up your at-home engagement photos with a few action shots. Whether it’s a simple charcuterie board or a more advanced menu, preparing food with your partner can feel fun and true to you! 

• Cozy up on the couch. Don’t be shy, cuddle up with your boo on the couch or in your favorite reading chair. I promise these informal and snuggly shots will be some of your favorites. 

• Include your pets. Although Andria and Darren did not include their four-year-old cat Mochi, Fancy This Photography welcomes pets to join at-home engagement photo sessions. That is, as long as they are well behaved and happily give consent to be on camera.

• Step outside. Sometimes your favorite room at-home is outside! Alfresco images are homey and packed with warmth whether it’s your front porch, stoop, back deck, or balcony.

Andria and Darren found Fancy This Photography on the preferred vendor list of their Chapel Hill wedding venue, The Carolina Inn. They quickly clicked with Nikki.

“We loved her energy and the interest she took in us and our story. It’s been incredible working with her - the energy she had on Zoom was even more infectious in person, and that combined with her skill as a photographer have led to incredible photos we look back at often.” - Andria Fernandez, 2023

Andria and Darren were incredibly humble and down to earth. We enjoyed taking their Washington DC engagement photos and look forward to capturing their wedding at The Carolina Inn on July 8, 2023. 

Fancy This Photography loves to travel for clients. Looking for an engagement, wedding, family, or branded business photography who will journey with you outside of NC? Click here to schedule a free consultation. 

Photographer //  Fancy This Photography
Coffee Shop & Bakery // Le Caprice DC Café Bakery