Post Summary: In this blog post, you’ll learn why it’s so important to turn your engagement session into an unforgettable adventure, find out the 15 most beautiful engagement photo locations in the PNW, and get a list of incredible ideas + activities to help you make your session feel like you.

Why Plan an Adventure Engagement Session?

Just as your wedding shouldn’t be cookie-cutter, generic, or inauthentic, your engagement session shouldn’t be either. Both your wedding and your engagement session are opportunities for you to create experiences just for the two of you; focused on what matters most to you and not anybody else. So I’m a firm believer that engagement sessions deserve just as much careful planning, intention, and care as weddings do—and shouldn’t just be another item on your wedding planning checklist that you need to mark off!

Planning an engagement session that feels true to you isn’t just about getting beautiful photos, or having the most “aesthetic” wedding invites out there: it’s about celebrating the super exciting season of life you’re in together, and grounding yourselves in these moments! We’re always so busy that we rarely take a moment to just ENJOY where we’re at, and honestly, that’s one of the biggest reasons I love engagement sessions. It offers you a chance to really, truly celebrate the occasion in a way that makes sense to you, without external opinions or judgement. Plus, it gives you photos you’ll adore and be excited to send out to your loved ones when it’s time to save the date!

That said, there are no rules about how your engagement should or should not look. For some couples, it may feel most genuine to have a heartfelt session in their own home, snuggled up on the couch where they love to spend time with their pets. For others, it might be the dream to turn their engagement session into a once-in-a-lifetime adventure by booking an activity such as a hot air balloon ride, a thrilling 4×4 tour through the desert, or an epic backpacking trip in the mountains. I’m all for more excuses to get out and create dedicated, intentional time to make new memories together!

FAQ’s About Pacific Northwest Engagement Photos

Before we go through the many stunning places that Washington and Oregon have to offer for engagement photos, I wanted to answer a few quick practical questions you might be curious about.

Do we need permits for our engagement session?

Most of the time, you will not need a permit for your engagement session in Washington or Oregon. Places like national and state parks don’t usually require Special Use Permits unless you are actually getting married, or a large group of people is involved—so you should be good to go without one for your engagement session. The only time you would maybe need one is if you were to try and take photos on privately-owned land, where you needed to make a reservation and/or pay a fee in advance to use it for your session.

When should we take our PNW engagement photos?

If you’re wondering what time of year to take your engagement photos in the PNW, it really depends on a few things:

• The location you choose—choose a time of year based on the weather conditions you’re ideally hoping for, as well as the type of landscapes you’d like as your backdrop (e.g. fall foliage vs. bright spring greens).
• Activities you want to include—make sure that you pick a time of year that allows for any activities you’d like to do, such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or swimming.
• How far out your wedding or elopement is—if you’re sending out invites to a few guests, you’ll want to have plenty of time to get your photos back from your photographer and put those together.

For a more in-depth look at what each season looks like in the PNW, as well as what types of locations work best at different times of the year, check out this guide next!

What if we end up with rainy engagement photos?

I truly don’t believe that rain is ever a bad thing when it comes to adventure weddings, elopements, or engagement sessions! It simply creates a different vibe—and honestly, one that is to be expected when you’re in the Pacific Northwest. Rain is only a negative if you make it one, so I really encourage my couples to embrace the elements and let it add to the experience. After all, what’s an adventure without a storm cloud or two?

Pro tip: No matter what time of year you plan your engagement session, backup plans are ALWAYS a good idea. As your photographer, I’ll always make sure we have a Plan B (and possibly Plan C) on hand in case anything happens that is out of our control.

If you’re REALLY worried about rain during your session, you might want to read my blog about How to Handle Bad Weather On Your Wedding Day—everything in there applies to engagements, too.

Can we bring our dog to our engagement session?

Ummm please do! I always love hanging out with a sweet and well-behaved pup, as long as you’re prepared to take care of them during your shoot. Just make sure that the location you choose is dog-friendly, that your pup is willing to take on the adventure with us, and that you have the supplies on hand to clean up after them + follow Leave No Trace principles.

Now, let’s go through all of my favorite PNW engagement photo locations in Washington and Oregon that I can’t wait to share with you! 

Best Engagement Photo Locations in Washington State

Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is forever one of my favorite places in the PNW, offering such a wide variety of diverse, breathtaking scenery. The gorge actually covers areas of both Washington and Oregon, and has every type of terrain imaginable, including canyons, waterfalls, forests, mountains, lakes, wildflowers, and more. It’s an incredible option if you want to explore multiple unique landscapes in one day, and go hiking along trails that’ll take you to secluded waterfalls + stunning views of the vast canyons.

Learn more about the best spots for engagement photos in the Columbia River Gorge here!

Leavenworth

The little Bavarian town of Leavenworth will always have a special spot in my heart. Not only is the town itself incredibly charming and reminiscent of a cozy German mountain village, it’s also a hotspot for outdoor recreation. Leavenworth offers easy access to some of the most iconic trails in the state, including the Enchantments, as well as plenty of opportunities to hike, bike, rock climb, kayak, or even go white water rafting. Any couple will have an amazing time exploring Leavenworth, no matter what level of adventure (or lack thereof) you’re looking for!

Learn more about the best spots for engagement photos in Leavenworth here!

Mount Rainier National Park

Nowhere in Washington is more iconic than Mount Rainier, with its picturesque postcard scenery featuring vibrant wildflower fields, turquoise alpine lakes, abundant greenery, and breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountain herself. Only a 2-hour drive from Seattle, Mount Rainier has SO many amazing options when it comes to engagement photo locations, whether you’re craving a laid-back nature walk or a more challenging trek through the backcountry.

Learn more about the best spots for engagement photos at Mount Rainier here!

Snoqualmie

If you’re searching for the best engagement photo locations near Seattle, Snoqualmie is definitely at the top of the list as far as gorgeous scenery goes. Just a 45-ish minute drive from Seattle, Snoqualmie Pass is easily accessible from the city, and offers amazing views without having to travel too far! The landscapes are diverse, with waterfalls, alpine lakes, and forests, and every season up at Snoqualmie is magical in its own way—from the enchanted wonderland of winter to the lush greenery + cascading waterfalls of spring.

Learn more about the best spots for engagement photos in Snoqualmie here!

North Bend

North Bend is another easily accessible area on the outskirts of Seattle, except the views don’t make you feel like you’re anywhere near a big city. With an incredible selection of outdoor activities to choose from, including hiking, fishing, biking, climbing, and water sports, it’s super easy to find gorgeous views pretty much anywhere you go. Rattlesnake Lake and Rattlesnake Ledge are two of the best spots to check out—the former being very easy to access, with a wheelchair-friendly trail, and the latter a 4-mile round trip hike that boasts views of Mount Si, Mount Washington, and the lake itself.

Mount Baker

Washington is famous for its three national parks, but one of the most spectacular destinations isn’t even part of any of those iconic parks—it’s located further up north, closer to Canada than it is to Oregon. Mount Baker is an alpine wonderland, and every mountain lover’s dream come true; with lush hillsides, vibrant meadows, bright blue lakes, and absolutely unreal views of endless snow-covered peaks, there are SO many phenomenal ways to experience these rugged landscapes, from overlooks just off the parking lot to longer trails through the wilderness.

Learn more about the best spots for engagement photos at Mount Baker here!

Olympic National Park

Alright, we’re finally getting to Washington’s other two national parks, starting with Olympic! Home to a glorious mountain range, gushing waterfalls, and one of the prettiest rainforests in the country, it’s a true wonder of a park in ALL aspects. The endless moss and ferns dripping in rain, the soaring sea stacks that line the rocky coastal shores, the breathtaking sunsets and alpenglow atop the mountains. . . you literally can’t go wrong when picking a place for your Olympic National Park engagement session.

Learn more about the best spots for engagement photos in Olympic National Park here!

North Cascades National Park

Last but definitely not least is the North Cascades, aka the most underrated of our three national parks! Drive along the North Cascades Scenic Highway (SR 20) and you’ll be met with phenomenal views that feel straight out of a movie; towering fir trees that cover the luscious terrain, hiking trails that wind through the backcountry and provide viewpoints of wildly beautiful lakes, vast alpine valleys, the list could seriously go on forever of why you should have your engagement session in the North Cascades!

Learn more about the best spots for engagement photos in the North Cascades here!

Best Engagement Photo Locations in Oregon

Mount Hood

Known for its world-class skiing, icy glaciers, and year-round snow, Mount Hood offers fabulous scenery through each of the four seasons—and plenty of opportunities to explore the wilderness at all times. The highest peak in Oregon, it’s a dream come true for couples who love to ski, snowboard, hike, backpack, kayak, and paddle board! Spots like Trillium Lake and Timothy Lake provide incredible lakefront backdrops for engagement photos, orrrr you could spend your time wandering through the cozy little mountain towns you’ll find along the way to Mount Hood (especially Hood River).

Oregon Coast

You will NEVER catch me getting tired of the Oregon Coast and the one-of-a-kind atmosphere it provides; unlike the coast of, say, California, you won’t find sunny beaches and palm trees along the Oregon Coast. Instead, you’ll be met with rocky, rugged beaches full of secluded coves, itty-bitty waterfalls, sitka spruce forests, and driftwood-covered shores. And did I mention the sea stacks that the PNW is so famous for? With over 300 miles of enchanting coastline to explore, there is no shortage of opportunities to create exactly the type of engagement experience you’re craving, whether it be exploring the tidepools at Cape Kiwanda or seeing the famous Haystack Rock up close.

Learn more about the best spots for engagement photos along the Oregon Coast here!

The Redwoods

Did you know that Oregon has redwoods?! They may be rare, but the Brookings area of the southern Oregon Coast DOES have giant redwood trees, just like California. You won’t find nearly as many, or trees that are quite as huge as the ones in California, but along the Redwood Nature Trail, you can admire 50 acres of ancient redwoods without having to cross the state border.

Crater Lake National Park

I’m not sure there’s anywhere in the PNW that compares to Crater Lake National Park in terms of awe-inspiring, world-shattering beauty; the type that reminds you just how old the landscapes in front of you are, and what they’ve gone through to get to this point. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country, with water so blue and bright, you’ll be wondering if somebody bumped up the saturation in real life. Seeing the effects of a volcano eruption from thousands of years ago is truly incredible, as you stand overlooking the caldera and the rain + snow-fed lake. You can choose from 90 miles of trails to explore, and find an abundance of gorgeous wildflowers along the way!

Smith Rock State Park

If you’d prefer more of a desert vibe for your Oregon engagement session, look no further than Smith Rock State Park. Located near Bend, the high desert of central Oregon is completely unique to the rest of the state that we’ve talked about so far—with dry, barren landscapes in place of the lush, green ones you’ll find closer to the mountains. With over 650 acres of desert to explore, there are a variety of hiking and biking trails, as well as rock climbing routes if you want to add a little adventure to your session!

Learn more about the best spots for engagement photos at Smith Rock here!

Painted Hills

The Painted Hills are another absolute WONDER of the PNW, also totally unique to every other location on this list. 10 miles from Mitchell, Oregon, the Painted Hills are these incredible hills that feature distinct colorful stripes, most of them deep red, orange, yellow, tan, and even black. These fascinating colors are a result of their unique geological composition and minerals, making for a landscape that truly looks like it’s come from another planet!

The Wallowa Mountains

Finally, we’ve got the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon; a mountain range that offers a unique mix of both alpine landscapes and high desert country. Wildflower meadows dust the granite peaks in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, and places near Joseph (like Lake Wallowa) offer a slightly drier climate. Mt. Howard is an amazing option for couples who want a mountain top engagement session, as you can reach the summit a few different ways: by hike, gondola, or even horseback ride! Plus, there are so, so many glacial lakes, waterfalls, and camping areas to check out.

10 Unique PNW Engagement Photo Ideas & Activities

Now because I’m SUCH a big believer that your engagement photos don’t have to be boring + cookie-cutter, I wanted to give you a list of 10 adventurous ideas to really make your session unique. And more than that, an unforgettable experience for the two of you to share.

1. Book a hot air balloon ride at sunset

2. Take a scenic helicopter or seaplane ride

3. Exchange gifts or meaningful letters

4. Go kayaking, paddle boarding, or canoeing in an alpine lake

5. Have a luxurious picnic in a beautiful location

6. Go for a scenic drive in a vintage car

7. Go horseback riding through a lush forest

8. Turn it into an overnight backpacking/camping adventure

9. Go stargazing under the enchanting night sky

10. Ride a gondola to the top of a mountain for sunset

Find more epic ideas just like these here!

Meet Your PNW Engagement Photographer

Your marriage should be the adventure of a lifetime. . . and that starts with your engagement session. As a PNW engagement photographer, my goal is to capture every element, emotion, and memory that makes your love story so special and unique—and to help you transform your engagement session from cookie-cutter to the best damn cake you’ve ever had.

If you have any questions, ideas, or dreams you’d like to share so we can get started, reach out to me—I’m here to help you make it happen!

PNW Engagement Photo Pricing + Packages

---

For more elopement and wedding planning resources, visit the Blog—or browse a selection of my recent favorites below:

Should We Elope or Have a Big Wedding? 12 Things to Consider

6 Myths About Elopements You Should Know About

10 Reasons to Elope