A man and woman mimic the pose of a garden statue behind them, standing in front of tall hedges and greenery during their engagement session at Oatlands. The woman wears a white dress; the man wears casual clothes.
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Summer Engagement Session at Oatlands Historic House and Gardens in Leesburg

Madison and James’s engagement session at Oatlands Historic House and Gardens in Leesburg was one of our favorites this summer, heat advisory and all. They were playful, connected, joyful, and all the things you want to see in your engagement photos. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, so it should be fun! 

A couple holding hands walks on a gravel path in front of a large white mansion with tall columns and black shutters, surrounded by greenery, capturing the romance of their engagement session at Oatlands.

Oatlands Historic House and Gardens

We chose Oatlands Historic House and Gardens in Leesburg for this session, and it did not disappoint. The property is one of my favorite spots for engagements because of how much variety it offers. You can move from garden paths to grand stone architecture in the span of a few minutes, which means every couple gets both the casual, laughing at each other shots and the more romantic, almost regal portraits, all in one afternoon.

A couple stands in a lush garden at Oatlands, smiling and embracing. The woman in a white dress looks up as the man in a white shirt hugs her from behind during their engagement session at Oatlands. Sunlight filters through the trees and a house is visible in the background.

A playful summer session with their dogs!

We accidentally picked a hot day! James changed his shirt three times and we were all sweating through it, but the two of them just kept laughing and having fun, which honestly made for better photos anyway. We could have kept photographing them until sunset, but I think we ran out of shirts! Haha

They brought their dogs along too. Dogs cannot go into the formal gardens at Oatlands, but there are a few spots on the property where they are welcome, so we got some sweet shots with the pups before heading in for the rest of the session. One of my favorite photos from the session is when Madison and James spotted the statues by the pond and started copying their poses without us even suggesting it. Engagement sessions are supposed to be fun, and they rocked it!

A couple kneels outdoors with three dogs wearing bandanas, under a tree in a sunlit grassy field during their engagement session at Oatlands. The scene is captured in black and white.

Emily from our team photographed this one and did a great job working around the heat and still capturing all their personality. If you are thinking about Oatlands for your own engagement session, I would say go for it. The property has so much range, from the manicured gardens to the more classic architecture, so you can get a real mix of photo styles in one visit. Just maybe plan for shade breaks if you go in the summer.

Highlights from their Oatlands engagement session gallery

  • A couple stands together in a sunlit grassy field at Oatlands, each holding leashes of three dogs sitting in front of them. Trees and soft sunlight fill the background, capturing a warm engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple stands in a sunlit field at their engagement session at Oatlands, kissing, with three dogs on leashes at their feet. Lush green trees and grass surround them on a bright, clear day.
  • A couple kneels outdoors with three dogs wearing bandanas, under a tree in a sunlit grassy field during their engagement session at Oatlands. The scene is captured in black and white.
  • A couple walks hand in hand on a gravel path beside a blue-green barn at Oatlands, surrounded by trees and greenery, on a bright sunny day during their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A man holding hands with a woman in a white dress as she stands on outdoor steps, smiling at him during their engagement session at Oatlands. There are green trees and a brick building in the background.
  • A man hugs a smiling woman from behind in a garden at Oatlands, both looking happy. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a striped shirt. They stand in front of a brick wall with green plants, capturing the joy of their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A smiling couple poses outside during their engagement session at Oatlands, with the man standing behind the woman, arms wrapped around her shoulders. They are in front of a brick building and green hedges, enjoying a sunny day.
  • A woman in a white dress smiles while a man hugs her from behind and kisses her shoulder during their engagement session at Oatlands, surrounded by lush greenery and a charming brick building in the background.
  • A woman with long blonde hair in a white strapless dress stands in a garden at Oatlands, hands clasped, with a brick wall and flowering bushes in the background—capturing the elegance of an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A woman with long blonde hair in a strapless white dress stands outdoors, smiling, surrounded by greenery and pink flowers, with a brick wall in the background—capturing the joy of an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A man in a white shirt and khaki pants stands next to a woman in a white strapless dress in a garden at Oatlands, both smiling at the camera with lush greenery and historic brick buildings in the background—capturing the joy of their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple stands in a garden at sunset during their engagement session at Oatlands, smiling at each other. The man wears a white shirt and khaki pants; the woman wears a strapless white dress. Lush greenery and stately brick buildings of Oatlands provide a picturesque backdrop.
  • A couple walks hand in hand along a garden path during their engagement session at Oatlands, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers, with a brick building and trees in the background.
  • A man in a white shirt playfully dips a smiling woman in a strapless dress as they gaze at each other in a garden setting during their engagement session at Oatlands. The photo is black and white.
  • A couple embraces in a lush garden at Oatlands, with the woman in a white dress and the man in a white shirt and sunglasses, surrounded by green plants and flowers. Sunlight shines through the trees behind them, capturing the romance of their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple stands on a garden path at Oatlands; the woman in a strapless white dress smiles while the man in a white shirt and khakis hugs her from behind, both looking happy on a sunny day during their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple stands on a garden path during their engagement session at Oatlands; the woman in a white dress holds the man’s hand to her lips. They smile at each other, surrounded by lush greenery, with the elegant Oatlands house in the background.
  • A couple embraces and smiles at each other in a lush garden during their engagement session at Oatlands, surrounded by greenery and purple flowers, with a white house in the background.
  • A smiling couple embraces outdoors in a lush garden during their engagement session at Oatlands. Both wear white clothing, and the woman rests her hand on the man’s shoulder. Sunlight highlights their happy expressions, with a house and vibrant greenery appearing in the background.
  • A woman in a white dress kisses a smiling man on the cheek in a lush garden at Oatlands, both standing close and embracing on a sunny day during their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple walks hand in hand down a grassy path lined with tall bushes, with an ornate archway in the background. Captured in black and white, this image beautifully encapsulates an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A smiling couple embraces on a grassy path between green hedges, with a white archway in the background during their engagement session at Oatlands. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a striped shirt and beige pants.
  • A couple holding hands stands by a small pond during their engagement session at Oatlands, their reflections visible in the water. The scene features lush greenery and stone edging around the pond, capturing the romantic charm of Oatlands.
  • A man and woman walk hand in hand along a garden path near a pond at Oatlands, surrounded by lush greenery. A wooden bench sits nearby, setting the perfect scene for an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A man and woman walk by a small pond in a garden during their engagement session at Oatlands. The man holds the woman’s hand as she smiles and holds her dress. A wooden bench and bushes are visible in the background. Black and white photo.
  • A couple kisses outdoors during their engagement session at Oatlands, standing on a path surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers. The man wears a striped shirt and khakis, while the woman is dressed in a flowing white dress. A wooden bench is visible in the background, adding to the romantic charm of Oatlands.
  • A person with curly hair is hugged from behind by someone wearing gold bracelets and a ring, with hands resting on their shoulders. Blurred green foliage sets the scene for this intimate engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A woman in a white dress smiles at the camera while embracing a man outdoors during an engagement session at Oatlands. The man faces away, and lush greenery is visible in the background.
  • A woman in a white dress laughs with her eyes closed while hugging a man in a striped shirt outdoors near greenery and a stone path during their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A man and woman mimic the pose of a garden statue behind them, standing in front of tall hedges and greenery during their engagement session at Oatlands. The woman wears a white dress; the man wears casual clothes.
  • A man and a woman in casual and formal attire stand in a lush garden at Oatlands, looking at a white statue of a naked child with one arm raised. Shrubs, trees, and tall grass surround them during their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple stands outdoors among green bushes at Oatlands, embracing and sharing a kiss during their engagement session at Oatlands. The man has dark curly hair and a beard, while the woman has long blonde hair and is wearing a white dress.
  • A couple stands outdoors during their engagement session at Oatlands, smiling and smelling a magnolia flower together. The black and white image shows leafy branches above them and a grassy background.
  • A gold ring with a large pear-shaped diamond rests on the white petals of a blooming magnolia flower, surrounded by green leaves—capturing the timeless elegance of an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple holding hands walks on a gravel path in front of a large white mansion with tall columns and black shutters, surrounded by greenery, capturing the romance of their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple stands outside the large white house with columns at sunset during their engagement session at Oatlands. The man wears a striped shirt and pants, and the woman is in a white strapless dress. They look at each other, surrounded by greenery.
  • A couple walks barefoot on grass toward a white fence with trees and a scenic, sunlit landscape in the background, capturing the romance of an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A black-and-white photo shows two people with long hair, standing side by side, facing away and looking at a scenic landscape with trees and distant hills—capturing a quiet moment during an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple stands on a white porch at Oatlands, looking out over a grassy lawn and trees under a clear sky, with distant mountains in the background—capturing the romance of their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A woman in a white dress sits on a white and brick fence, smiling at a man in a striped shirt who leans beside her. Captured during an engagement session at Oatlands, they are outdoors with trees and hills in the background.
  • A woman in a white dress and a man in a striped shirt stand together, smiling, with the woman’s arm around his shoulder during their engagement session at Oatlands. They are outdoors, with trees and distant hills visible in the background.
  • A couple stands on the front steps of a large white house with columns at Oatlands, smiling and holding hands during their engagement session at Oatlands. Green leaves partially frame the top of the image.
  • A person stands on the steps of a large white mansion with tall columns at Oatlands, surrounded by greenery and trees, during daylight—capturing the timeless elegance perfect for an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A smiling couple sits on outdoor steps during their engagement session at Oatlands; the man has one arm around the woman, who wears a white dress. They are in front of a white building with large windows and dark shutters.
  • A man in a white shirt dips and kisses a woman in a white dress on a garden path surrounded by greenery and flowers during an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple sits on outdoor steps, sharing a kiss during their engagement session at Oatlands. The woman in a white dress sits on the man’s lap. Behind them is a building with large doors, columns, and black shutters.
  • A couple sits on a wooden bench under large, arching tree branches in a sunlit park at Oatlands, with green grass and trees in the background—capturing the romance of their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple sits together on a wooden bench under a large, spreading tree at Oatlands, looking at each other and smiling in a peaceful, grassy outdoor setting—a perfect moment during their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple stands in a lush garden at Oatlands, smiling and embracing. The woman in a white dress looks up as the man in a white shirt hugs her from behind during their engagement session at Oatlands. Sunlight filters through the trees and a house is visible in the background.
  • A couple sits on a wooden bench beneath a large, sprawling tree during their engagement session at Oatlands. They smile at each other, surrounded by grass and dappled sunlight. The image is in black and white.
  • A couple sits on a wooden bench under a large, sprawling tree at Oatlands, sharing a kiss. Sunlight filters through the branches, creating a peaceful, romantic outdoor scene—perfect for an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A man lifts a woman in a white dress as they smile at each other in a grassy yard, surrounded by trees, with sunlight filtering through the background during their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A man lifts a smiling woman in a white dress outdoors at sunset during their engagement session at Oatlands. They look at each other happily, with green trees and sunlight in the background.
  • A couple sits on a wooden bench under a large, curving tree branch in a sunlit park at Oatlands, surrounded by green grass and trees, sharing a quiet, intimate moment together—perfect for an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • During an engagement session at Oatlands, a man lifts a woman in a white dress as they kiss outdoors at sunset, surrounded by the estate’s graceful trees and lush grass.
  • A man lifts and spins a smiling woman in a sunlit, grassy yard with trees and a house in the background, capturing the joyful spirit of their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple stands by a small stone-edged pond holding hands during their engagement session at Oatlands, their upper bodies out of frame. Their reflection is visible in the water, surrounded by green plants and grass.
  • A man lifts a woman in his arms as they smile at each other in a grassy, tree-filled yard. The image is black and white, capturing the relaxed and joyful atmosphere of an engagement session at Oatlands.
  • A couple embraces outdoors at sunset on green grass during their engagement session at Oatlands. The woman, in a white dress, smiles with her arms around the man’s neck as he holds her, both appearing happy and relaxed with trees in the background.
  • A man stands on grass, smiling as he carries a barefoot woman in a white dress. They gaze at each other, surrounded by green trees with sunlight shining through in the background, capturing the magic of their engagement session at Oatlands.
  • During an engagement session at Oatlands, a person in a dress shows off an engagement ring while another gently holds their hand. The photo is black and white and taken from above, focusing on their hands and jewelry.
  • A man and woman sit in the front seats of a car, smiling and laughing together during their engagement session at Oatlands. The photo, taken from outside looking through the windshield, captures a candid moment in black and white.