A Thomas Jefferson Memorial Proposal | Washington, DC | Satyam and Priya

Engagement pictures on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC | Megan Rei Photography

Satyam and Priya have been navigating a long-distance relationship (Satyam is in Pennsylvania while Priya is in North Carolina), so anytime they get to see each other is a special occasion. But Satyam decided to make this trip to DC together extra special by popping the question! They love to travel together and visit new places, so planning the proposal while on one of their trips was the perfect idea for this sweet couple.

As I sat on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial waiting for them to arrive, Satyam and I texted back and forth about the plan. He had hoped to propose towards the center of the Tidal Basin with the Washington Monument in the background, but we were going to be flexible depending on where he could find some open space without too many people. As luck would have it, bike tour after bike tour filled up the length of the Tidal Basin! Just bikes and people everywhere you looked.

After Satyam and Priya arrived, they walked back and forth in front of the Memorial several times, with Satyam hoping the crowds of people would move, but he eventually decided it was time for plan B. He knew that Priya didn’t want a huge crowd watching the proposal, and there was no avoiding it with all the bikers. So he gave me a “follow me” hand signal behind Priya’s back, and I quickly grabbed all my gear and went with the flow!

Satyam found a hidden spot behind some trees where they had complete privacy as he got down on one knee. Thankfully I made it there in time to catch the moment between the two pine trees. Then I snuck around to the other side of the trees and found an angle with the Washington Monument in the background! I was so happy to get that view that Satyam was hoping for.

DC proposal photography near the Tidal Basin | Washington DC Proposal Photographer

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Surprise proposal by the Tidal Basin and Washington Monument | DC Proposal Photographer

Surprise photo of marriage proposal by the Washington Monument and Tidal Basin | Washington DC Proposal Location

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Hugging after she said yes to the proposal

Engaged couple looking out at the Washington Monument over the Tidal Basin

Can we talk about how perfectly coordinated their outfits are?! Satyam obviously knew he was getting his picture taken, but props to Priya for picking out a matching dress!

Candid engagement photo at the Jefferson Memorial | Washington, DC Engagement Photography

Engaged couple laughing during their engagement session in Washington DC

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Happy couple after their proposal at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in DC

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Bride-to-be smiling at the camera with her new fiance after the proposal at the Jefferson Memorial

Close up shot of engaged couples legs during their engagement session

Taking a walk together by the white columns of the Jefferson Memorial | Washington DC Proposal Photographer | Megan Rei Photography

Giving her new fiance a hug after the marriage proposal | Proposal Photography at the Jefferson Memorial

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Happy couple after their proposal | Candid engagement photographer in Washington, DC

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Engaged couple cuddling during their engagement shoot at the Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC

Big smiles after the marriage proposal by the Tidal Basin

As I mentioned before, the place was PACKED with tourists! In the first pictures it looked like Satyam and Priya had the place to themselves, right? Photographer magic at work! (Not actual magic, I was just strategic with posing and locations!) The Jefferson Memorial is always a popular spot, so we embraced the craziness and captured the crowds in some photos too.