Elena and John are one of the sweetest couples and I am so excited to share their engagement session at McCrillis Gardens in Bethesda on the blog. Summer in Maryland is a beautiful time for engagement photos, and we found the sweetest spots in the garden for their session.

These two met a few years ago through the young adult group at their church, St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Bethesda, MD. After a few years of dating, he proposed on a bench in the Mary garden at the church. We were able to pop by the church after we finished the photos at McCrillis Gardens to get some photos in that same spot! I know this photo meant so much to them, and I love when couples are able to incorporate something personal and meaningful into their engagement session.

Elena is a nurse but also a hair and makeup artist so it was super flattering for her to choose me as her wedding photographer! It’s always the best compliment when fellow wedding vendors value your work! She is so talented and I’m so honored I got to be her wedding photographer!

I had never been to McCrillis Gardens in Bethesda before, but it was beautiful. It’s a fairly small property but there are tons of little picturesque spots for portraits, so it was easy for us to spend an hour without going far. And it’s a good thing too, because Elena was in heels and I was 8 months pregnant during our session! 

One of my favorite locations we found in the garden of greenery was a green wooden gazebo. It was a perfect romantic spot for engagement photos, and Elena’s cherry red dress popped right off of the background. 

Elena is hilarious and we got along so well during their session. She was constantly giggling which made for some very adorable photos. Normally I have to get creative with cracking jokes and finding unexpected ways to make my clients laugh but Elena and John made it easy! They are truly such nice people and I am so happy for them. Be on the lookout for their wedding day coming to the blog soon!