(a two part series)

Finding the perfect date and Seattle location

 

So you’re engaged, Now What?

So you’re engaged and you can’t wait to blast engagement photos all over social media to announce the big news. You realize you’ll need a photographer, to schedule the engagement shoot, figure out what you’re going to wear, decide on your hair and makeup look, etc., etc., etc. After looking on Pinterest for hours on end for inspiration, you end up feeling overwhelmed before you even got started. Let me help you out.

I have photographed over 500 engagement shoots so I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes or breaks a shoot.

(In case you were wondering, no, it has nothing to do with how photogenic the couple is.)

What makes a successful engagement shoot, like many things in life, is being informed, prepared and armed with a plan.

THE DATE

Traditionally, engagement sessions take place two to three months prior to the wedding date. But if you have a short engagement or you’re just (understandably) overcome with excitement and you wanted those Save The Date cards yesterday, let’s get you scheduled stat.

 

There are a few things you may want to consider prior to booking a date

The Climate. Here in Seattle, we’re lucky enough to have seasonal variety.  Wintery mountains, changing fall leaves, spring flowers, sunny beaches–it’s all within in reach of the city. And of course if you love rain, you can have that. . . well, anywhere, probably right now actually.

So ask yourself, “Which climate fits the overall look I want for my engagement photoshoot?”

Guidelines For Choosing A Date:

1. Book at least three weeks in advance from the date you are seeking.
2. Fridays only please! Weekends are reserved for events and weddings. Weekends are reserved for weddings. If circumstances don’t permit a weekday shoot, I’ll do my best to accommodate you on a weekend. Reserving a backup date in case of inclement weather or last minute wedding bookings is necessary.
3. Block out up to two hours of free time if possible. Photoshoots typically take 1.5 hours but it’s good to allow for the unexpected.
4. Don’t worry about the timing yet. We’ll go through that step at the vision meeting.

 

THE LOCATION

I love it when couples pick a place that means something to them. Like your first date, where you got engaged, or your favorite hang out spot. But sometimes life’s most precious moments happen in the least pretty places. If that’s the case for you, below are some sure fire Seattle backdrops that will make your heart drop (just be sure to consider the climate and time of year).

 

 FOREST LOVERS

My recommendations list for a forest engagement location near Seattle. (see images below)

• Discovery Park featuring military yellow houses and Lighthouse beach area
• Golden Garden Park (above the beach)
• The Arboretum
• Volunteer Park
• Lincoln Park in West Seattle
• Franklin Falls Trail
• Snoqualmie Falls trail

DISCOVERY PARK in the Magnolia area about 10 mins from downtown Seattle GOLDEN GARDENS in Ballard area

 

THE ARBORETUM near Madison Park area in Capital Hill LINCOLN PARK in West Seattle Area VOLUNTEER PARK in Capital Hill area FRANKLIN FALLS TRAIL – On your way to the waterfall (45 mins from Seattle) SNOQUALMIE FALLS TRAIL (30 Mins from Seattle)

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BEACH LOVERS

My recommendations list for a beach engagement location near Seattle. (see images below)

• Discovery Park near the lighthouse (park at your own risk)
• Golden Garden Beach and its marina area
• Kirkland Waterfront and its marina area
• Lincoln Park in West Seattle
• Madison Park
• Magnuson Park (not pictured)
• Myrtle Beach (not pictured)

 

DISCOVERY PARK | The Lighthouse beach area

GOLDEN GARDEN BEACH & MARINA AREA in Ballard (15 mins from Downtown Seattle) KIRKLAND WATERFRONT in Kirkland, WA (25 mins from Seattle) LINCOLN PARK in West Seattle (15 mins from Downtown) MADISON PARK in Capital Hill area

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CITY LOVERS

My recommendations list for locations in downtown Seattle. (see images below)

• Pikes Place Public Market
• Space Needle (great closer to the night because of all the unique lights)
• Pioneer Square
• Ballard Ave Street

PIKES PLACE PUBLIC MARKET – Iconic location in downtown Seattle PIONEER SQUARE – old part of Seattle, Wa SEATTLE SPACE NEEDLE BALLARD AVE in Ballard Random urban location around the city

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SEATTLE SKYLINE BACKDROP

My recommendations list for a getting the Seattle skyline in your background (see photos below)

• Gasworks Park
• Kerry Park
• Salty Restaurant in West Seattle City Beach viewpoint
• Bell Harbor Pier
• Olympic Sculpture Park
• Waterfront by the Big Wheel in Seattle

 

GASWORKS PARK in Wallingford area  KERRY PARK off Highland Road in Queen Anne Hill OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK

BELL HARBOR PIER ALKI BEACH near Salty Resturant  WATERFRONT by the Great Big Wheel

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WHAT IF IT RAINS?

My recommendations list for indoor locations in case it rains in Seattle during your engagement photo-shoot

• Olympic Sculpture Park (inside area)
• Convention Center and Freeway Park
• Coffee Shops
• Seattle Library – there is an outdoor area that works well.
• Union Station
• My home studio (425 SQ) White clean space and white bed for a cozy feel
• Volunteer park (greenhouse and the water tower)
• Waterfall Garden Park at Pioneer Square (8-4pm M-F only)

 

COFFEE SHOPS, SEATTLE LIBARY + HOTEL LOBBIES

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WANT SOMETHING UNIQUE

• On a ferry ride
• On a boat
• At your home
• Winery in Woodinville
• College campus
• The Snow
• Carnival
• Football field

 

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