Please read the following before requesting an appointment! This information is applicable to all session types: engagement, family, lifestyle portraits, maternity, newborn, elopement and mini weddings, environmental portraits, etc, to be scheduled at the end of March or early April.
Contact me at RL@RLincoln.com or at 202.821.6072 to book your cherry blossom session.
SUNRISE INFO
The best time for no people around is sunrise - that means meeting at pre-dawn, 6:40 am, while it’s still dark. I know the Tidal Basin area inside and out so we can move quickly to the best spots for your photos.
For the past 14 years since I’ve been coming to the Tidal Basin every day at dawn during the festival, my clients and I have only seen maybe 5 other people out at the Tidal Basin, so we have the area to ourselves and can maintain a completely safe distance from each other, and really no one else will be around. By the end of your session, people will be starting to arrive around 7 am but we will be on our way out.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled during a three week time frame, from March 20th - April 14th, 2024, with the hope that the blossoms will bloom at that time.
The blooming period lasts 1-2 weeks. That means that you can get beautiful photos at (3) times:
as the blossoms are preparing to bloom (a few days before peak bloom)
peak bloom
a few days after peak bloom when the petals turn to pastel pink and white.
Evening Engagement Portrait Session at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC
Option 1: Premium Dates (best blossom dates) & Rates
Lincoln Photography is setting aside (4) days as Premium Dates (peak bloom date, one day prior, and two days after) which is when 70% of the blossoms are open.
To reserve one of the 8 premium hour-long sessions --4 Golden Hour & 4 Sunrise-- you must book now and then once the peak dates are known Lincoln Photography will contact you in the order of who booked first to choose the specific date.
Includes an online gallery of high-res digital images and an 11x14 framed print of your choice.
Golden Hour, $735 (4 available) THREE REMAINING
Sunrise Session, $735 (4 available) THREE REMAINING
Option 2: Priority Dates (second best dates) & Rates
Trees are starting to bloom but not reached peak bloom. The first choice and second choice options gives you the opportunity to schedule your 1-hour session as close to the peak bloom period as possible for the best blossom photos before or after the peak bloom.
Includes an online gallery of high-res digital images to view and download.
Priority Sunrise - $610 TWO REMAINING
Priority Sunset - $610 TWO REMAINING
**Note: If you are not able to be flexible as the above requires and need to reserve a specific date, please book that specific date now at the premium rate to guarantee it.
Option 3: (just after) Sunrise Mini Sessions & Rates
Your 20-minute Mini Session will take place immediately after the sunrise session, when the light is still dreamy, golden, and gorgeous!
These will be scheduled between 8 am and 10:40 am on Friday and Saturday of peak bloom. More dates will be added as needed. Total number of sessions offered: 8 per day
Your proof gallery will have 30+ images, and you may select 6 high res digital downloads.
Sunrise Mini on Friday/Saturday - $410 FOUR REMAINING
From the National Cherry Blossom Festival website:
Average Peak Bloom Date: April 4
Exactly when the buds will open is not easy to predict and it is extremely difficult to give an accurate forecast much more than 10 days before peak bloom. http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/about/bloom-watch
Check out this blog for up-to-date information on peak bloom dates: http://cherryblossomwatch.com/peak-bloom-forecast/
FAQ’s below.
Sunset at the Cherry Blossoms, peak bloom
FAQs
What is included in the Premium or Priority session rates?
All sessions include all of the best images as high res jpegs in an online gallery (link + password will be emailed). You can download and print on your own. Sharing on social media is also allowed with standard tag or photo credit. You will end up with at least (but not limited to) 50-60 photos per hour booked.
Premium Session: 11x14 framed print of your choice with custom framing selection
Is 20 minutes really enough for the mini session?
Yes! I know all the best spots at the Tidal Basin to keep people out of the background of your photos and that are easy to find. I work efficiently and give plenty of posing direction - my shooting method consistently yields a stunning gallery of images and you’ll be surprised at how many you come away with.
How do we book a session during the cherry blossom season?
Email me and let me know which booking tier you would like. Once I confirm that the spot is available, all you need to do to secure your booking is send the deposit. The deposit is 100% of your session fee, and may be paid via check or PayPal.
Please view the above information on booking tiers and how to schedule a session specifically during the peak blossom period.
Can we book more than one hour?
Yes, you may book two or three hours, and the pricing is the hourly rate listed for each type of booking tier. We will start about an hour and 15 minutes before sunset, and continue the session for 15 minutes after sunset (some great twilight photos with the monuments lit up!).
Can I book a session during the day, not at sunrise or sunset?
Yes! I offer a variety of mini sessions throughout the day. Check out Option 3 for early morning (post-sunrise) mini sessions, or email me to schedule an afternoon session.
Can I book a nighttime session?
Yes, nighttime sessions start 10 minutes after sunset. Email me to set up your night time cherry blossom sesssion! RL@RLincoln.com
Can we upgrade our booking tier?
Yes, if there is availability.
Can we downgrade our booking tier?
Since your deposit guarantees your session and makes your booking tier slot unavailable to all other clients, it is non-refundable.
What if there is bad weather during our session?
1. If it begins raining in the middle of your session, we will take cover and see if it passes quickly. If possible, we will continue photos inside one of the monuments. If that is not possible and it does not pass quickly, 25% of your session fee will be refunded, and you will receive the photos we have taken.
You will also be able to reschedule during the cherry blossom season (according to availability) at the standard rate and no rescheduling fee.
2. If it begins raining as your session starts, we will take cover and see if it passes quickly. If possible, we will continue photos inside one of the monuments. If that is not possible, you may reschedule your session for later in the week (rescheduling fee will be waived). If you are from out of town cannot reschedule, and we are unable to hold the session due to weather, 30% of your fee will be refunded.
3. If the forecast 24 hours before your scheduled session shows more than a 30% chance of rain and/or extremely bad weather, we will wait as long as possible before canceling or rescheduling. In previous years, bad weather during this time has only lasted a few minutes, even if it is predicted to last all evening. I recommend preparing to hold your session, and we will both check the actual weather and sky and make a decision 1.5 hours prior to the start of your session.
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