Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD is a beautiful photoshoot location. Located 15 minutes outside of Washington, DC and Northern VA, Brookside Gardens is one of my absolute favorite photoshoot locations in the DC area.
Brookside Gardens serves as a gorgeous backdrop for all different kinds of photo sessions – family, maternity, and even newborn!
There is also something to offer in every season. I have photographed sessions there in spring, summer, fall, and winter! Every time I photograph a session at Brookside Gardens, I find a new spot to fall in love with.
Spring Sessions at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD
Spring is probably my favorite season to photograph in at Brookside Gardens. There are three blooming phases in spring that make the gardens so whimsical: cherry blossoms, tulips, and wisteria.
Cherry Blossoms at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD
The cherry blossoms at Brookside Gardens reach peak bloom shortly after the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. There is a large weeping cherry blossom tree and a couple of smaller ones.
For this spring cherry blossom session at Brookside Gardens, we only found one cherry blossom tree partially in bloom – but wow, did it add such a romantic touch to the session! We stayed in this location for much of the photoshoot because of how beautiful it was.
Tulips
The tulips at Brookside Gardens bloom shortly after the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. They are spread out over a fairly large area to create a colorful array of florals.
I was able to find another small nook during the same cherry blossom session from above to incorporate the tulips and a gorgeous weeping willow tree.
Wisteria at Brookside Gardens
The wisteria at Brookside Gardens is so whimsical! The wisteria blooms right after the tulips reach peak bloom. It is so dreamy!
Not surprisingly, the wisteria is quite popular at Brookside. In general, I always recommend photographing in the early morning at the gardens because of the number of people who visit during the day. This is especially true during wisteria season! You will likely still find a few people there photographing the wisteria first thing in the morning.
We actually stumbled upon the wisteria at Brookside Gardens for a recent session. This family particularly wanted a session with the tulips, so we planned a date around tulip bloom. I visited the gardens the week of to ensure they were still in bloom, and they were! However, when I arrived the morning of the shoot, the tulips had died! I was so disappointed…The disappointment only lasted so long because I quickly found the wisteria. And what a beautiful addition the wisteria was!
Summer Sessions
Summer sessions have ample greenery at Brookside Gardens. You’ll also find that the roses are in bloom in the rose garden, near where the tulips bloomed earlier in the year.
Again, I recommend photographing early in the morning during summertime. You’ll have the softest light and the least amount of DC humidity! Summertime also tends to be a popular time to visit the gardens, so it’s always good to avoid the crowds.
Fall and Winter Sessions at Brookside
Fall and winter sessions at Brookside Gardens can be equally as beautiful as spring sessions! There are so many trees that can provide gorgeous fall foliage.
Fall tends to be the busiest season for family photos since many families want photos for holiday cards. I recommend early morning sessions for fall so you don’t run into crowds of photographers and other families for this reason. Getting that golden light through golden leaves can be so beautiful!
Winter in the gardens can be so peaceful. Although there are no leaves on the trees, the way the golden morning light creeps in to light the scene is simply stunning. The light can travel into the gardens easier, creating a gorgeous golden reflection on the pond.
Although many parts of the garden are bare, you’ll find that the structure of the bushes and plants still adds a sereneness to the imagery. This winter session at Brookside Gardens was stunning, despite the lack of blooms.
I hope this post was helpful to you! Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD is the perfect location for your next photo session. I truly cannot recommend it enough. From the pastel blooms in spring to the golden light of winter – you can’t go wrong with a session in the gardens!
Marie Elizabeth Photography | Washington DC Family Photographer
Marie Elizabeth Photography specializes in fine art Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photography based out of Washington, D.C. She also serves the areas of Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Falls Church, Vienna, Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Silver Spring, College Park, and Riverdale Park.
It is always an honor to serve as your Washington DC Family Photographer. I provide a custom, luxurious experience to lead you every step of the way, beginning with a planning guide to make you feel confident and prepared, a consultation to achieve your portrait goals, a client wardrobe, hair and make-up artists, and finally, artwork to adorn your walls and preserve your memories forever. Let me be a part of your story today.
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