The Washington DC cherry blossoms that line the Tidal Basin are absolutely iconic. This setting, that includes view of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument, can make for the most amazing destination engagement, maternity, or family portraits. Millions of visitors flood the city during the 2-week National Cherry Blossom Festival which means you won’t be alone as you enjoy, admire, and pose with the beautiful blooms. Given the unpredictable nature of the blooms, the crowds, the traffic, and the temperatures, portraits sessions can be a little bit challenging. However, a little preparation based on the tips shared here will ensure you have stunning photographs with these beautiful blossoms!

Scheduling Your Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Session

The most important factor in ensuring your Washington DC cherry blossoms portrait session will take place during peak bloom is being able to be flexible (or be really lucky!). While peak bloom generally occurs toward the end of March/early April and lasts about 10 days, these blooms are unpredictable at best. Any shift in the weather can move the bloom forward or backward, and an untimely frost, heavy rainfall, or strong winds will all have an impact on when and how long the blooms will open and last. I love to follow this site for a roundup of all of the peak bloom forecasts and news along the way toward bloom.

Once peak bloom has been announced, you can start planning dates for your session with some reliability – but again – flexibility is key! The predictions can be off quite a bit, so you’ll want to be able to make adjustments if the bloom is trending earlier or later. Either way, a weekday at sunrise is a must! I know it’s cold and early, but I also promise that it’s worth it!

If you just don’t have that much flexibility in your schedule, keep in mind that the saucer magnolias bloom a few weeks prior to the Tidal Basin cherry trees and they’re stunning! You’ll also find cherry trees blooming all over the region for a few weeks, so while you might not end up at the Tidal Basin, you’ll surely find some beautiful springtime blooms!

Travel | Getting to Your Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Session

Parking in DC is limited in the best of circumstances and traffic can be unpredictable. Add in road closures and millions of visitors all heading in to see the famed Washington DC cherry blossoms, and it’s absolute chaos. One of the years I photographed these blooms, POTUS drove through, which meant that all of the surrounding streets were blocked for a few minutes. You just never know what’s going to happen. Because timing is critical (we want that that beautiful sunrise!), I highly advise using a rideshare or the metro. If you’re coming from a further distance but still fairly local, I recommend reserving a space in a nearby parking garage and then catching a ride to the Tidal Basin.

Wardrobe | What to Wear for Your Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Session

Though the cherry blossoms seem to signal the beginning of spring and warmer temperatures, prepare to be cold during your session. Since you’ll be meeting at sunrise, temperatures will often be in the 20s and 30s and the wind across the Tidal Basin can be bitingly cold.

While your portrait session outfit might be fairly bare, there are some things you can do to try to keep the chill at bay. Bring a heavy coat you can easily slip on and off (a heated jacket would be divine!), and throw some handwarmers in the pockets so you can warm up your fingers. If you are planning a full session, you’ll do a little bit of walking, so having some fur-lined booties to throw on as you move from one location to the next can be a little bit of a relief.

I’m always happy to help you coordinate your wardrobe for your session. For the cherry blossoms, I highly recommend a dress in white, pink, or blue. I’d avoid a heavily patterned dress as it will compete a bit with the blossoms themselves.

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms | Summary

Too long, didn’t read: Be flexible, plan your session for a weekday morning, don’t drive yourself, and prepare for the cold. A portrait session with the Washington, DC cherry blossoms absolutely takes a little bit more work, but see it as an adventure and you’ll be rewarded with photographs that you and your family will love for a lifetime!