Top Gorgeous Locations you can only photograph in the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful areas in the United States. No where else in the country can you find glacier capped volcanoes and beautiful rocky beaches within 2 hours from each other. Being a photographer, it’s a paradise to have so many natural and scenic backdrops to work with. Although my blog today doesn’t cover all the amazing locations to photograph in the Pacific Northwest, it’s a great place to start. Enjoy as I explore locations you can only photograph in the Pacific Northwest.

#1- Mt. Rainier: 

Sitting 60 miles south of Seattle, this 14,490 ft. glacier peaked volcano is a breathtaking addition to our city skyline. With the Seattle rain, you can only spot the top of her about 120 days per year, but when she is out, she dominates the views. The National Park surrounding Mt. Rainier is filled with lush forest and beautiful wild flowers that peak in August making it a perfect backdrop for amazing photos- a must see when visiting the Pacific Northwest. I took two of my senior reps, Annie and Celine, up to Mt. Rainier this past September for a stylized shoot and the views were breathtaking and amazing. To view all the pictures, click here.

#2- Snoqualmie Pass: 

During the winter months, the Pacific Northwest is a mecca for winter sports including snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding. From November to April, it’s an easy drive up to Snoqualmie Pass (among several other areas) and be surrounded in a magical winter forest filled with snow. It makes a gorgeous back drop for pictures especially when you get a rare, clear winter day with the light beautiful and buttery- Yum! We took Madi and Bree up to Snoqualmie and had lots of fun doing a stylized shoot with prom dresses and classic winter gear. To view the full blog, click here.

#3- Mount Vernon Tulip Fields: 

In the spring, the Skagit Valley peaks with tourists and visitors excited to romp around in acres and acres of blooming tulips. The rainbow- like landscape with tulips as far as the eye can see dotted with blue mountains in the background make it an amazing location to get out your camera. I take my son, Jack, up to see the tulips every year and so enjoy our tradition.

#4- Sequim Lavender Fields: 

This year was my first year ever to explore Sequim in the summer-time and you bet I will make this a regular location to visit. This gorgeous little city, located right off the Jaun De Fuca Straight, gets less that 15″ of rain per year and has the perfect climate for the acres of lavender farms that peak in July. Fields of purple with the gorgeous Olympic Mountains in the background make this a location you won’t want to miss. On a whim I took two of my senior reps, Kalina and Shelby, up to the area for an impromptu shoot and it didn’t disappoint!  To view the full blog, click here.

#5- Seattle Center and the Space Needle:

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle is the most iconic landmark in the Seattle Skyline. Seattle Center, located around the base of the Space Needle, is filled with fun parks, performing art centers, and the EMP– a crazy fuchsia and blue building that makes for a fun backdrop for pictures. I was so excited to be one of three photographers to shoot The Big Fake Wedding this past fall. It was an amazing experience with an amazing and iconic back drop- such a treat!

#6- Pike Place Market: 

Known for it’s famous fish throwing, Pike Place Market is a top destination for tourists and locals in Seattle. Filled with gorgeous fruits and vegetables, bundles of fresh flowers, and rows of local small businesses, tourists and locals alike flock to this well known attraction. I have had a few of my seniors choose this location for their 2016 Senior shoot and although challenging with all the people and chaos, I love the urban and local flair that shine through the images. Annie being a city girl and lover of Starbucks, couldn’t see her senior shoot being done anywhere else.

#7- Seattle Waterfront/Ferries: 

Filled with ferries, shops, ferris wheels, cruise ships, sculpture parks, beaches and stadiums, the Seattle waterfront has a ton of options to choose from for amazing photos. Add the Olympic Mountains grandly standing in the background and I would say this is a perfect spot for romance. I have done several of my brides and grooms to be at this location including Kashari and Alex as well as Ericka and Troy. It is so classic Seattle and I love the flavor and the unique images that come from shooting in this location.

Downtown Tacoma and the Glass Museum: 

I love shooting in downtown Tacoma. The waterfront, suspension bridge, glass museum, old train stations and brick buildings give this area so much variety. This was the most popular location that my 2016 Seniors choose this year- almost a third of my HS Seniors requested this spot. Here Andrea is having fun showing off the beautiful scenery in her gorgeous red dress during her session this past fall. Beautiful!

#8- Alki Beach: 

Where else but Alki Beach can you get a mix of lighthouses, ferry boats, Olympic Mountains and the beautiful Seattle Skyline in the distance. This spot is the most popular beach when the summer is here- filled with bikers, rollerbladers, beach bums, and paddle boarders. Erin choose this location for her senior session and it was gorgeous. So much lush scenery and beautiful spots to choose!

I have been living in the Pacific Northwest for 9 years now and have only scratched the surface of amazing locations to take pictures. There are so many more! I am looking forward to 2016 and exploring the many other amazing spots to see what I can create. Thanks for reading today and have a great one!