Located just outside Washington, DC in Vienna, Virginia, is the regional park Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. It is a popular location for family portraits with numerous scenic backdrops throughout. One particularly special section is the Korean Bell Garden, the only traditional Korean bell garden in the West. I learned about this “garden within a garden” when the Carnithan-Choi Family suggested it for their family photo session.
American Korean Family Photos with a Traditional Cultural Nod
The Korean Bell Garden was conceived as a symbol of unity between cultures in a region with the 3rd highest population of foreign-born and American Koreans in the US. The garden’s focal point is the enormous 3-ton bronze Bell of Peace and Harmony, which hangs within the ornate, tile-roofed Grand Pavilion. Not only is it a beautiful setting, but it provides a scenic backdrop for family photos. It is also a visual homage to the Choi Family’s combined Korean-American heritage.
We met for the photo session on the best kind of fall day with clear, mild weather. The garden was filled with visitors, as well as photographers, taking advantage of the last few temperate days of the season. Wandering around the grounds gave us the chance to take pictures in a variety of settings. From an open meadow with the bell pavilion visible in the distance where I photographed the two little girls hugging their father to a stone walkway where the girls sat side-by-side in front of a lush, ivy-covered wall—it was such a lovely afternoon of making special memories with the Choi Family.
On a side note, I appreciate that Meadowlark has a favorable professional photography policy— it’s easy and affordable to obtain a permit to use the grounds for a photo session, while also limiting the number allowed each day. I have never had a problem making a reservation and I’ve also never had a problem competing for space with other photographers.
Special Photo of Sisters Selected for Display
The family chose an image of the girls embracing to have printed as a large gallery wrap. The artwork, which will adorn an entire wall in their family room, will make for a significant statement piece. It will also serve as a beautiful reminder of the bond these sisters share from this period of their childhood.
Since that first visit with the Choi Family, I have been back to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens many more times. For anyone seeking family photos in Northern Virginia at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is an excellent option.
I’ve had the honor of documenting many families who want to include meaningful cultural references in their family photos. Here are images from an Indian American family photo shoot in Great Falls, Virginia featuring FOUR generations of women.