A Night Out in DC: Judy & Brian’s Elegant, Non-Traditional Engagement Session

Some engagement shoots are simple.
This one? This one felt like stepping into a story.

When Judy and Brian told me they wanted to revisit the place where they had their first date Silver Lyan, a hidden speakeasy tucked beneath the Riggs in D.C. I already knew this session was going to be special. What I didn’t expect was just how beautifully their personalities, their style, and the atmosphere of both speakeasies would work together to shape something cinematic, creative, and completely them.

Where It Started: Silver Lyan

We got lucky—really lucky. It’s rare for anyone to get Silver Lyan entirely to themselves, but that day we had free run of the space. The polished wood, moody lighting, and soft golden tones fit the couple perfectly.

Judy and Brian have this elegant, proper energy—not traditional, just intentional. They showed up dressed to match the room: classy, timeless, and beautifully put-together. So I matched their vibe with the way we shot: clean compositions, soft posing, and a focus on connection rather than direction.

We recreated their first date in the same corner where it all began. I had them sit the same way, talk, laugh, and just exist together. No stiff poses—just candid moments guided by light humor (and a few of my terrible jokes). Those shots ended up being some of my favorites because they feel like memories, not setups.

A man in a black suit with a gray tie and a woman in a white dress with black lace sitting at a bar with a brick wall and liquor bottles in the background.
A man and woman in formal attire standing at a bar, gazing at each other with smiles in a modern, upscale setting.

Where It Got Wild: The Alchemist

Next stop: The Alchemist, a speakeasy serving cocktails inspired by potions and experiments. The place is dramatic and creative—almost theatrical—and it pushed the energy of the shoot into something entirely new.

They brought out six different handcrafted cocktails, including previews from their upcoming holiday menu.
We had:

  • A giant cocktail topped with a floating smoke bubble

  • Cinnamon sticks lit on fire

  • Drinks that looked like they came straight out of a fantasy novel

And because The Alchemist is dark, I had to work fast and smart with flash—figuring out angles, shaping light, and keeping everything clean while still preserving the atmosphere of the space. It was a fun challenge, and it paid off. The images are bold, moody, and full of character.

Judy hopped up on the bar for one of the creative poses she had saved on Pinterest. And honestly? It was perfect. Their willingness to be playful and open made the session feel less like a photo shoot and more like an experience.

The “Uncapped” Difference

Traditionally, engagement sessions are booked in one-hour blocks. But more recently, I’ve started offering uncapped engagement shoots—no stopwatch, no rush, just time to explore, experiment, and create something memorable.

This shoot is exactly why I made that change.
We didn’t have to cut the energy short. We didn’t have to choose one location over another. We just let the night unfold.

And because of that, the gallery ended up being over 200 images—a full visual story rather than a highlight reel.

Looking Ahead

They’re getting married next year, and after spending an evening exploring speakeasies together, I can already tell their wedding day is going to be incredible.

If their engagement session is any clue, it’ll be elegant, unexpected, and a whole lot of fun.

A man and a woman sitting on a red velvet couch in a cozy, warmly lit room. The man is wearing a navy suit with a white shirt and a patterned tie, and has his arm around the woman. The woman is in a white dress with black lace details, and she is wea
A man and woman sitting at a table, holding hands and gazing at each other in a dimly lit restaurant.
A man and woman dressed elegantly inside a dimly lit bar, with shelves of liquor bottles in the background. The woman is smiling and wearing a white dress with black lace detail, while the man has a beard and is wearing a dark suit and tie.
A bartender preparing a cocktail at a bar with liquor bottles on shelves behind him, while two customers, a woman and a man, sit at the bar watching him.
A man and woman in formal attire sharing a toast with cocktails at a bar, smiling at each other, with a background of liquor bottles on shelves.
Man in suit drinking a cocktail with vapor or smoke rising from it.
A woman in a white dress with black lace details standing behind a seated man in a black suit, white shirt, and gray tie, inside a formal building with marble walls and red carpet.

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