A Fall Engagement Session in Olympic National Park
I could have cried tears the first time I visited Northern Washington for its beauty. So when Kap and Emily asked me to photograph their engagement photos in Olympic National Park, I was beyond stoked and excited to show them the places I myself had fallen in love with.
They had never been to the PNW before and relied on me to find spots that aligned with their vision of ethereal and vast – something different that they couldn’t find at home in the midwest. I immediately knew that the Hoh Rainforest and Ruby Beach would be two places that would fit this for them.
With that, we planned a day of exploration. All of my wedding packages come with an engagement anywhere in the US, and not just an hour session. These are Lifestyle Sessions, around four hours of time to chill, roam nature, and do things that represent you as a couple (more so than just saying “cheese” and standing in a pretty field for 45 minutes). It is my favorite thing to give my couples, also as a way to get to know them before the big wedding day and make that a more stress free experience. Having this day with Kap and Emily was the perfect precursor to their celebration that will take place near their home in 2025.
Hoh Rainforest Engagement Photos
The first place we stopped for their engagement photos was the Hoh Rainforest, located near Forks in Olympic National Park. The Hoh Rainforest has so many little trails you can walk through, including the Hall of Mosses and the River Trail. As you walk through the forest, the air is damp and the trees are covered in mushrooms and fuzzy moss. It is one of the most serene places on earth, especially if you can come on a slightly drizzly day when the trails are empty.
After our stroll through the forest, we headed down the road to a cute little pull off. They played tag between the trees and ran down the quiet road hand in hand. The sun finally poked through the clouds at this point, blessing us with some golden light.
Ruby Beach Engagement in Olympic National Park
For the sunset, we headed to Ruby Beach. A month before this, I had photographed an elopement on Ruby Beach. It is one of the most popular spots for couples photos in Olympic National Park, though I think it is still relatively unvisited because it is one of the more isolated locations.
If you’ve read Twilight, you’ve heard many times that the Olympic Peninsula is one of the rainiest locations in the USA. This was a very rare sunset, something I did not expect on this December afternoon. Kap and Emily ran through the golden mist that wafted through the trees, chased waves, and sat in the grove of washed up trees that have clustered this beautiful beach.
It was a perfect way to end their engagement session.
Super 8 Engagement Film
The cherry on top of this evening was filming the whole thing on Super 8MM Film on top of the photos. I call these Love Story Films. It is one of the sweetest ones I’ve ever created.
Forks Washington Photographer
If you are visiting Forks Washington or Olympic National Park and want your engagement photos documented here, I would freaking loveee to meet you and be your photographer!! It is SUCH a beautiful place, a corner of earth that has my heart. You can inquire through this link here. I can’t wait to meet you!
