There are a few things that are important for a good portrait session, but one of the most important ones is location! There are so many options here in Loudoun County. We have beautiful historic towns, plenty of gorgeous open fields and we're close to Washington, D.C. as well! With such a large variety of options, it can be hard to decide on where to go, but one of my personal favorites is a lesser known location. It's Morven Park, which is right in Leesburg, Virginia. 

A little history about Morven Park: It was the home of Westmoreland Davis, the 48th Governor of Virginia. He purchased the Morven Park property in 1903 and was buried there in 1942. The meticulously groomed property is 1,000 acres with three museums and offers a variety of recreational programs. Morven Park relies on donations in order to maintain the property, which is one of the reasons why permits (and fees) are required of professional photographers to utilize the location for portrait sessions. 

There are several different locations that I personally love in the park for sessions, and I'll be sharing a few of them with you today!

My favorite spot has to be this gate. It frames people so nicely and is so beautiful to look at all on its own. Here are a few shots from different sessions there.

Behind the gate is a pretty popular spot for pictures as well: the brick steps. Its path creates great leading lines (lines in a photograph that lead the viewers eye to the subject or point of interest). Even if I don't use the leading lines, I love look of classic brick.

I also really enjoy photographing people by the mansion. There are stunning views of Leesburg and the pathway (again) has great leading lines. Plus, the lights add a special "pop" to the images. 

Morven is truly a hidden gem in Loudoun. It's beautifully maintained grounds are a perfect backdrop for gorgeous portraits. I'm proud to be a photography partner there and I will continue to showcase this gorgeous property for years to come! With the exception of my newborn clients (since I travel to their homes for those sessions), Morven is great for any kind of session!

Want to have YOUR portraits taken by Fluttering Shutter Photography at Morven Park? Contact me today to book your session!