Over the past decade, the way people meet has evolved in such a fascinating way. So many of my couples have found each other through dating apps and honestly, it’s easy to see why. Apps open up your world beyond your immediate circle, connecting you with people you may have never crossed paths with otherwise. They allow you to find common ground quickly, whether it’s shared interests, values, or even just a similar sense of humor. And in a fast-paced world, they give people the chance to be intentional about finding love, rather than simply waiting for it to happen. But even with all of that, there’s still something undeniably magical about meeting the “old fashioned way.”

Enter: Gracie and Jimmy.

These two met at a wedding in Italy; already the kind of setting that feels straight out of a movie! Gracie was friends with Jimmy’s stepsister (the bride!), who naturally introduced the two. They spent most of the evening talking, laughing, and dancing together. But in her own Cinderella moment, Gracie slipped away early the next morning, leaving behind just the memory of one perfect night. Once back in the States, they reconnected… and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jimmy recently moved to Washington, DC for work, with Gracie not far behind. Together, they’ve been embracing this new chapter and exploring the city. We’re already planning to reconnect next spring to photograph them among DC’s iconic cherry blossoms. Work schedules meant they missed that fleeting window this year, but instead of feeling disappointed, they leaned into the idea of documenting their life here in different ways over time. So for this session, we chose another DC classic: the US Capitol.

A misty, quiet morning gave us the gift of having the city nearly to ourselves. We wandered through the surrounding streets, stopping by the Senate buildings and the Library of Congress, soaking in every bit of the morning. Enjoy a little glimpse into their Washington, DC love story.