Chris and Victoria’s Lincoln Memorial engagement session in downtown Washington DC was both beautiful and captivating! They chose to wear two outfits, one formal with Victoria in a muted pink, flowing gown that was adorned with sequins at the top and paired silver heels while Chris wore a dapper navy suit with tan accents and a grey tie. For their second outfit they chose to go with a more relaxed look that was still so lovely. Having two sets of attire brought in variety and allowed them to express their personalities through their fashion choices!

This session held such a classy feel, with stunning light pouring through the clouds it gave the images a luminous glow. Having the session in DC with some of the city’s infamous monuments in the background was such a special touch because DC is actually where they became engaged. I truly loved having the opportunity to document Chris and Victoria’s Lincoln Memorial engagement session!

A few notes from the couple, Chris and Victoria;

How did you meet? We actually went to the same high school, but didn’t know each other despite having several mutual friends. A year after I (Victoria) graduated high school, we met through my best friend. We started texting and one summer day while at my parent’s house, I was talking about how nice it was to be in the pool after work, which then ended with Chris and another mutual friend coming over and jumping in. Chris mentioned pizza while he was over and later I texted that I “kinda felt like pizza now.” We ended up spending over three hours talking in a Pizza Hut and the rest is history!

How long have you been together? Over 12 years! August 15, 2009

How did he propose? Ahhh it was so cute! So, for years now at every special occasion, I would think “maybe now?,” but it never happened so I let it drop from my radar (though I still mentioned it often). On December 18, we went to lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America. It was a very emotional morning and we were also able to see my grandfather’s site, which I had not visited before.

After we left there, he suggested we have lunch in DC, which I should have taken as a clue as he would typically suggest just getting food on the way home. We went to the city and had lunch all the while I kept going on and on about how this was the best day because it was so meaningful and we were out doing things since we had been super careful due to the pandemic. Little did I know what was coming. After lunch, he suggested that we walk past the National Christmas Tree because he knows Christmas is my favorite and we went to the tree lighting several years back. Once there, he suggested walking around the backside so that we could avoid the crowds of people. I asked him to take a “selfie” with me, which he grudgingly agreed to and while I was turning my phone off and turning around, he was getting down on one knee!

Name your favorite trait about each other? Victoria: His ambition and willingness to challenge each of us to be better individually as well as together as a couple.
Chris: Her fairness.

What do you love the most about him/her? Victoria: His attentiveness. Chris is always aware when something is going on and has a calm and methodical way of thinking through things, which certainly helps balance my sometimes over-the-top reactions. He shows this every day with Maddie as well. He’s always so patient and loving with her.

Chris: Her willingness to always treat people fairly. She is always steadfast in doing what is just, not what is en vogue or what she may feel pressure to do, and treating people with dignity and respect. This is (one thing) that makes her a phenomenal children’s educator and what will make her an incredible wife and mother.

A few notes from the couple, Chris and Victoria;

Favorite places to visit?Washington Capitals games (pre-pandemic), Book stores and Coffee shops.

An ideal date night? An ideal date night would be grabbing food and heading over to Capital One Arena to take in a Capitals game. We also enjoy the simple things like grabbing coffee at one of our favorite places (or new!) and just talking.

If you could have a date anywhere in the world, where would it be? Hmm… we both agreed that the ideal date would be anywhere by a beach with plenty of restaurants nearby. I think the cold weather helped influence this choice!

Describe your style? We are very “down to earth.” Typically at home we are in sweats, but we do love to get dressed up every now and then. Our wedding is going to be more laid back rather than stuffy. If you’ve seen Fixer Upper with Joanna Gaines – that’s the vibe! Colors for the wedding are dusty rose and burgundy.

Do you have a location in mind for your session? First thought is DC as that is where Chris proposed and has been more of a symbol of us moving away to an area all of our own and making it happen. We come from a small town in southern Virginia, Prince George, and moved to Northern Virginia and have made this life of ours happen on our own.

-He proposed in between the White House and the Washington Monument.

-Library of Congress is somewhere I interned for a summer before becoming a school librarian and we both love books.

What is one thing (beside each other) that you could not live without? Maddie! Our lovable little pup. She has been with us through just about everything. We started dating in 2009 and she was brought into the family in 2010, so every move that we have made, she has been right there.

Describe in one word what you like/love in a photograph. Authenticity

Photos: Monica Roberts // Location: Lincoln Memorial