As someone who is a Washington, DC wedding photographer, it should come as no surprise that I love hearing about a couple’s relationship history – everything from how they met to how he proposed is what has built their foundation and is a huge part of their story. For Amanda and Brian, theirs began while attending graduate school at American University. They met while in “Theories of International Relations” with one another and I love that Amanda joked that while most people don’t find it romantic, that it seemed to work for them! As someone who met their husband in college as well, I definitely know that love can always find you in the unlikeliest of places and when you’re least expecting it! They dated over the years until graduation and eventually moved into their first apartment with one another in this new city they now called home.

Brian always knew he wanted to find a way to make his proposal a surprise, but also knew this was no easy task for a couple who was living together and had their set routine; anything out of the ordinary would have tipped her off immediately! Amanda, from my understanding, is a pretty incredible runner, going for miles and miles around this city at a time. Knowing these frequent excursions could take her out of the house for hours, Brian sought this as his best opportunity to catch Amanda off guard. As she arrived back home from an eight mile run to Brian on one knee, I think surprised would have been an understatement!

Amanda and Brian, I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to your wintery wedding at the Carnegie Institution of Science this January! Thanks for meeting me at sunrise to beat the crowds – I think you’ll agree these amazing images were so worth it!