7 Special Things That Make Georgetown a Photographer’s Dream

Recently I traveled to Williamsburg, VA to drop my oldest for her sophomore year of college. I thought a little “me” time was in order after saying goodbye to her (doesn’t get easier the second year, by the way) so I planned to stay a couple of days in Washington, DC at my cousin’s apartment.

I knew I wanted to get out and shoot a bit, so I prearranged a meeting with two of my favorite Instagrammers from the DC area, Laurie aka @dccitygirl, and David aka @frenchieyankee, who were both happy to oblige in showing me around one of their favorite DC neighborhoods: Georgetown. They may have regretted it later due to the exceedingly hot and humid weather, but I was exceedingly grateful.

I was in Georgetown once quite a few years ago, before my photography obsession began, so I knew that the area had plenty of material to shoot. Once we started walking and I really began to pay attention to the details, I was delighted at my surroundings. Here just a few of the things that made photographing Georgetown so special:

1. Georgetown is the oldest neighborhood in DC, founded even before the nation’s capital. The entire village, as some refer to it, is considered a National Historic Landmark and its buildings are protected under the Georgetown Historic District, the first historic district established in DC and the sixth in the nation. The age of most buildings makes the houses and streetscapes just a little bit crooked, a little bit crumbly, and a lot more charming!
   

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2. With the use of brick, cobblestones, and other materials, Georgetown is full of texture and pattern that adds instant character and interest to every scene.
   

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3. While Georgetown has a variety of architectural styles, it is perhaps best known for its rowhouses which were popular in the late 19th century. I enjoyed meandering down street after street lined with rowhouses, connected to each other and yet distinct from one another.
   

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4. Georgetown is one place you might actually find me hanging around on the street corner. Almost every corner we passed was photo-worthy and provided a fresh perspective of the architecture.
   

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5. Although most Georgetown homes have very little space for a garden, homeowners make the most of what they do have – sometimes just letting the ivy take over!
   

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6. Of course I have to mention the front doors themselves! Most homes still retain their original doors, often painted in bright colors and enhanced by a variety of light fixtures, door knockers, and other hardware.
   

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7. Undoubtedly my favorite thing in Georgetown is the painted brick on so many of the houses we passed. In the Northeast painted brick is much less common, and in cities like Boston it is almost non-existent, so it is fun to see the variety of colors and the creativity shown by homeowners.
   

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   This virtual walk through Georgetown is just a small sampling of its treasures, and no doubt you would leave with own list of things that make it special to you. I hope to return to Washington DC sometime soon to explore other neighborhood gems that the city has to offer. In parting, I’ll leave you with this brightly painted floral confection – enjoy!

   

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   [x_author title=”About the Author”]

Deb Cohen

My name is Deb Cohen, and I am a lifelong resident of Connecticut, a lover of all things historic and New England, and a realtor who helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals and dreams. When I’m not working, I enjoy life with my husband, our two adult children, and our two rescue pups. Renovating and decorating our historic home, dating to 1800, is another favorite pastime.