ERIN THOMPSON

Enid Haupt Garden | The Bourgeois Family

DC Sessions, Family Session

After all the fun I had with the Bourgeois fam last fall, I was so excited for their spring session! This time, we ventured out of Alexandria and went downtown to Enid Haupt Garden. This garden sits on the south side of the Smithsonian Castle and is known for its gorgeous magnolia trees. Even at slightly past their peak bloom, these florals made for a stunning backdrop for spring family photos.

A Spring Family Session at Enid Haupt Garden

Having shot here just two days before, I knew the sun was going to come up over the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building. We arrived shortly before then and snagged a bench near a still relatively full tree. Since the girls were ready to go, we started with some staple family shots. Just as we started to wrap those up, the sun peeked over the building behind us and the trees started to glow. These first few minutes with sunshine are always the most magical, so I squeezed in as many extra shots here as I could!

Sensing that the girls needed a change of pace, we walked over to the other side of the garden. The last must-have shot I needed was one with all the sisters together. Finley wasn’t a huge fan of this last fall, so I knew it may be a challenge… and I was right! Distracted by the water and her ability to walk right over it, she had zero interest in taking a sister picture. Thankfully, the thought of twirling in her pretty dress was enough to change her mind. We managed to line the girls up under a perfectly lit tree and played red light, green light: twirling edition! Giggles ensued and I got the shot I wanted. It was a win-win!

Kate and Ben, thank you for choosing me once again to capture these memories for your family! I am going to miss your crew dearly when we move, but will be hoping that the Air Force brings us back together again! I always have the best time with your girls!

While the magnolias at Enid Haupt Garden are now past their bloom, I am booking family sessions amidst the spring and summer greens! Please reach out to me if you’d like to book a session. Only a couple more months before I leave DC and become a Dayton family photographer!

YES PLEASE!

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I HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR YOU!

more about me

I've been navigating military life with my family since 2008. In that time, I went from a full-time classroom teacher to an online course designer to a photographer. Actually, I still teach a little math on the side because I just love it too much!

Through it all, I've discovered how passionate I am about connecting with military families. Whether it's taking photos at a retirement ceremony, coaching a fellow milspouse photographer, or just grabbing coffee with a new squadron friend, I love this community. And as a teacher at heart, I'm excited to use this space to share what I've learned about business and life with you.

I'M ERIN.

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