Seattle Engagement Photoshoot Locations
{A Complete Guide to Photo Locations}
There are SO many amazing Seattle Engagement Photoshoot Locations you can choose from to adventure to for your engagement session. From downtown Seattle, to The North Cascades, or even into the mountains in Snoqualmie Pass. So many locations in and around the greater Seattle area that speak to any couple and this guide is here to help you find the right location for you two. Most of these locations are within hours or a little more of Seattle and are all gorgeous.
In this guide, I’ll help you guys find the best locations for your engagement photos and all the info you’ll need for each location. This guide provides:
- Professional experience adventuring to these Seattle locations
- If you need a permit or passes/ where to park
- If you can bring your puppy
- Indoor engagement photo location
Alright, let’s do this!
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Seattle Engagement Photoshoot Locations Guide:
If the Mountains are calling….
Definitely a must-go if you live in Washington! However, choosing Mt. Rainier National Park means watching the weather and seeing what roads and parks are open in the timeframe we want to go. Snow gets crazy around these areas, so it’s best to go in July-October. The wildflowers in the fall and spring are absolutely incredible and it’s totally a place you have to visit. Please keep in mind, you should stay on the already created paths so no delicate flowers or grounds are hurt.
Best time to go: July-October During the Week
Be sure to check the road and park conditions before going! Check those out here.
Pass requirements: Mt. Rainier National Park Pass
Dogs Allowed: No 🙁
A few galleries from recent sessions here:
Allison + Dustin’s Mt. Rainier Sunrise Elopement
Ali + Martin’s Paradise Engagement Session
NOTE: If you’re planning on have an Elopement or Wedding up at Mt. Rainier, you need the proper permits.
For wedding permits and photographer permits, click here.
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Gold Creek Pond/ Snoqualmie Pass
This one is a super popular spot, but super gorgeous. You’re surrounded by amazing scenery with trees, mountains, and of course the pond. Walking around the pond is an easy walk and there are tons of spots to capture that PNW vibes. Keep in mind if you want to visit Gold Creek in the summer, the sun shines down right on the pond directly so it could be quite bright during the afternoon. I recommend going just a few hours before sunset so you can walk around the lake, get that sunshine, and then at the main view spot, the sun will be shining on the canyon behind so you are not squinting so much and can have that nice soft light.
Best time to go: During the Week!!!
Pass requirements: None
Dogs Allowed: Yes (please pick up your puppies poopie!)
A few galleries from recent sessions here:
Jasmin + Kevin’s Engagement Session
Rattlesnake Lake/ North Bend, WA
Another awesome PNW classic! You’re surrounded by the Rattlesnake Ledge which is gorgeous, trees, the lake, and stumps everywhere during the winter. Weather is sometimes nuts in the fall time, but overall it’s gorgeous in the sunshine and cloudy days. Definitely a staple in Washington. I love to bring out my drone, Dobby, here, so we can get some wide shots of the lake in the background or of the mountain. So much goodness here.
Best time to go: During the Week
Pass requirements: None
Dogs Allowed: Yes
A few galleries from recent sessions here:
Lindsey + Kaleb’s Engagement Session
Keechelus Lake/ Boat Launch / Snoqualmie Pass
This is a new location I’ve been shooting at and it’s amazing!! In the fall when the lake is all dried up, the fall trees come out, the stumps are shown everywhere, and some gorgeous colored grass. It’s super perfect on a rainy cloudy day and I highly recommend checking it out. It’s a huge area and lots of people like to drive down into the dried up lake and camp or do donuts, but walking around down there is so cool. You’re surrounded by mountains and forest and always have a great angle all over that gorgeous lake.
Best time to go: Fall/ Spring – During the Week
Pass requirements: Northwest Forest Pass
Dogs Allowed: Yes
A few galleries from recent sessions here:
Catie + Dave’s Engagement Session
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Seattle Engagement Photoshoot Locations
If you’re City Folk…
Gasworks has it all! That rustic city vibe, the Seattle skyline, and plenty of wide open grass fields. If you want some nature but also want some city skyline buildings in the background, this is the place for you. You can get the Seattle skyline on the water edge of the park, you’ll get those tall rustic industrials (if you’ve seen the movie 10 Things I Hate About You…) and some wide open spaces. Keep in mind, lots of people go to this park… like… tons throughout the day… so if you want to go towards sunset, perfect, but there will be lots of people there to watch the sunset. Its usually crowded but going during the week works best.
Best time to go: During the Week
Pass requirements: None- Street parking
Dogs Allowed: Yes but on a leash
A few galleries from recent sessions here:
Brenda + Bryce Engagement Session
This park is gorgeous. It’s more of a ‘on the water’ vibe with some adorable epic lighthouses, but you also are near the city, it’s in the background, and you get plenty of nature as well. There is also this gorgeous white chapel in the middle of the park, so we can break up all the nature and get a cool vintage look to your session as well.
Best time to go: During the Week
Pass requirements: None
Dogs Allowed: Yes
A few galleries from recent sessions here:
Meredith + Zach’s Engagement Session
Enter The Studio/ Pioneer Square/ Seattle, WA
We could also get inside for a studio session in the gorgeous Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle. If you want a more urban feel to your photos with some exposed brick, white walls, and some cozy indoor shots, we can totally book a time at this studio and make magic. We can also adventure around downtown Seattle at Pioneer Square and Pikes Place Market for all the city vibes.
Best time to go: During the Week
Pass requirements: None- Street Parking or Paid Parking Lots (it’s Seattle)
Dogs Allowed: No/ walking around Downtown- yes
A few galleries from recent sessions here:
Patricia + John’s Studio Session
Book your session at The Studio here.
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If you’re pining for an Adventure….
This is one of my new favorite spots. It’s got it all- water, mountains, #pnw vibes, teal waters below the cliffside, everything. It’s stunning and I’m so in love with it. You have the lookout vista point, but I also like to drive down to the closest campground and get my couple right on the water/ beach, and give a different view than just the vista. The parking lot is also super cute! They have bathrooms there, too!
Best time to go: During the Week/ Spring, Summer, Early Fall
Please check road conditions before traveling. The road there has sharp turns and steep hills, so please check before.
Pass requirements: None
Dogs Allowed: Yes
A few galleries from recent sessions here:
Kellie + Travis’ Diablo Lake Engagement Session
Ruby Beach/ Olympic National Forest
So Ruby Beach is Amazing! I had the opportunity to shoot an engagement session there last spring and it was so gorgeous. Granted, it was right before COVID and quarantine hit, so lots of people were out enjoying the sunshine, but it was stunning and we got some truly epic shots. I love being on the water and it’s definitely a beachy vacation vibe.
Best time to go: During the Week/ Spring, Summer, Early Fall
Pass requirements: None- Street parking
Dogs Allowed: Yes
A few galleries from recent sessions here:
Gabby + Eddie’s Ruby Beach Engagement Session
Artist Point/ North Cascades/ Mt. Baker
So I’d live up here if I could! Haha It’s gorgeous and has everything you could ever want in an engagement session. Large parking lot and tons of trails to adventure. You have the gorgeous Mt. Baker in the background, tons of mountain view shots, forest vibes, and reflections in lakes makes for a perfect time. I shot an elopement up there and quickly fell in love with it. Totally recommend!
Best time to go: During the Week/ Spring, Summer, Early Fall
Pass requirements: Northwest Forest Pass
Dogs Allowed: Yes
A few galleries from recent sessions here:
In Conclusion…
So these are just a few of the tons of places I’ve had the pleasure of shooting at! If any of these sound awesome to you, let me know and we’ll work it out! Most of the adventure locations take a bit more planning since it involves a ton more travel and possibly an overnight stay. Hope this helps you get inspired with where to go for your session!
Now that you’ve found where to go for your engagement session, now it’s time to figure out what to wear!! Check out my guide on What to Wear for you Engagement Photos in Seattle here.
Thanks for reading along and listening to my take on each locations in and around the greater Seattle area! If you have any questions or thoughts, or anything, leave a comment below or shoot me an email at hello@worksbysarahjane.com.
Cheer’s, friends!!
Also, check out my Top 10 Engagement Session Poses + Prompts in the video below:
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