A Beach Day in Lincoln City, OR Family Photos 

Who would have guessed that three years after I photographed their wedding two states away, we’d be doing family photos on the beach in Oregon, where we both live now??? A foggy morning turned into a misty, magical day on the coast in Lincoln City and the most perfect full-circle moment for a photoshoot. 

Lo + Coop live in Portland, and since I’m now a Lincoln City local, they took an easy two-hour drive west for some laid-back family photos to celebrate the first birthday of their girl, Romee. They didn’t have a specific location in mind, so I got to choose and I knew the perfect spot—close to me, dog-friendly so they could bring their pup along, and full of gorgeous, underrated little gems that don’t get nearly as much love as they should.

Why Lincoln City is a Hidden Gem for Oregon Coast Family Photos

When people think about Oregon Coast photos, they usually picture Cannon Beach. And I get it, she’s iconic!! But Oregon has plenty of gorgeous beaches that are way less traveled by tourists and locals alike, making them perfect for a chill photo session with enough privacy to roam around however you please. 

And Lincoln City is one of them! I might be biased as I can literally see the ocean from my house, but it’s got so much to offer. First of all, it’s the longest beach city in Oregon, which means there’s plenty of space to run and explore, so you can let your kids be kids without any stress. And that goes for your dog, too! 

Yep, it’s also one of the Oregon beaches where dogs can be off-leash, as long as they’re well-mannered enough to come when you call them. So naturally, Lo + Coop brought their very cute (and very excited) pup, and it made the whole session feel like a little family beach day.

Family Photos with a Baby on the Beach? Yes Please.

We started out by the water, just letting Romee do her thing (aka squeal, toddle around, and do whatever she pleases, which is key to sessions like these). The light was super soft and glowy in that weird, coastal-weather way where you never really know what you’re going to get. Earlier that morning, there was a full-on marine layer that made the weather feel so gloomy. By the time we started shooting? That glorious sun popped out a bit, but with a misty coastal vibe. 

That’s the beauty of shooting family photos on the Oregon Coast! You kind of get every mood in one day, but the light somehow always works. Usually, shooting mid-day is a big no-no for photographer lighting wise, but the coastal weather never gives too harsh of light. And as a bonus it means you don’t have to rearrange your whole day around golden hour or worry if your baby’s nap schedule doesn’t line up! 

After playing by the shoreline, Lo + Coop did a quick outfit change and we walked a few steps over to a grassy bluff that looked like a totally different location. Still just two minutes from where we started, but suddenly it felt like late summer in the Pacific Northwest. That’s another thing I loooove about Lincoln City family photos, it gives you plenty of scenery to work with! One short shoot can give you two completely different vibes. 

We had already done a dreamy engagement session in a field at golden hour and some epic lake house wedding photos together (linked here if you’re a creeper like me), so adding in this whole new coastal vibe felt full-circle, like a new era for the sweetest fam. It felt like fate that we all ended up out here in Oregon!!! So it was just as special for them as it was for me! 

Looking for a Lincoln City photographer for your family photos or couples session?? 

Whether you’ve got a home nearby or you’re planning a trip to the coast with your crew, Lincoln City is one of my favorite locations for beach photos in Oregon. I’ve scoured every little nook and cranny for the perfect spots, so just show up with your favorite people and be ready for a laid-back day on the Oregon Coast, making some memories and documenting everything along the way!!! 

→ Reach out and we’ll get to planning!!!

While the western coast might get all of the hype, I’ve got a soft spot for forest engagement photos in Portland, Oregon! Especially if you want classic, timeless photos with your pup roaming around like Marissa + Cameron. No crowded city streets, no traveling to the beach. Just simple, sentimental photos in a place that means something. And that’s exactly what we got! 

Keep reading for more on their story, some great classic Portland engagement photo locations in the forest, and some inspo for your own engagement photoshoot! 

Marissa + Cameron’s Portland Forest Engagement Session

First, a little backstory:

I actually photographed Marissa over a decade ago for her senior portraits in Missoula, MT. (Wild how time flies.) We’d stayed connected over the years, and when she saw I’d moved to Oregon, she reached out right away about engagement photos.

She and Cameron are both med students (my couples are always cool, but these two?? Clearly brilliant humans). Marissa had just finished her residency in NYC right before this session. Cameron was getting ready to leave for a fellowship in Minnesota. They’ve basically been living the “long-distance, two-med-school-schedules, how-do-we-even-make-this-work” life for years, but Portland has always been their home base.

So it was important to Marissa that their engagement session happen in Portland. She wanted forest photos that were classic, simple, and timeless enough to print, share with family, and use for save-the-dates. Beyond that, she gave me free reign to wander until it felt right (my favorite kind of engagement photoshoot plan)! 

We ended up exploring trails at the Hoyt Arboretum, surrounded by massive trees of Oregon redwoods. (Yes, Oregon has redwoods, not just California!)

The day itself was a total mood swing. Portland had been weirdly warm all week, then dropped into cool temps with soft, even cloud cover. Perfect for photos.

Marissa and Cameron brought along their 13-year-old dog, Lacy, who was the perfect third wheel. She wandered in and out of shots, occasionally photobombing in the best way. If you’re considering a dog-friendly engagement session in Portland, highly recommend it (I’m obsessed with dogs in engagement sessions, here’s proof). They always bring out those unscripted moments that make photos feel laid-back and natural (and really damn cute)!  

Other Great Portland Engagement Photo Locations in the Forest 

If you’re considering your own forest engagement photos in Portland, there are so many beautiful places that give you that same peaceful, timeless vibe. Here are a few I love:

→ Forest Park — one of the largest forest reserves in the US with miles of trails, massive trees, and easy access from downtown if you want a mix of city and nature!
→ Tryon Creek State Natural Area — super cute bridges and boardwalks over wetlands with that fairy garden-like feel and trails accessible for any adventure level!
→ Mt. Tabor Park — love Portland? This spot gives amazing views of the city skyline and smaller forest pockets, the best of both worlds! Plus, they have an off leash dog area for your pup. 

Looking for a Portland wedding photographer for your engagement session? 

I’m your girl! Whether you’re obsessed with the forest vibes like Marissa + Cameron or want help choosing some sentimental engagement photo ideas specifically for you + your partner, I’m happy to help! 

The best photos happen when you’re somewhere that feels like you. So let’s chat about locations, timing, outfits, dogs tagging along… all of it. Ready when you are, bb!! 

Reach out to me to plan your engagement session! 

An elopement can look however you want it to and for Evan + Trey, that meant eloping with family for their intimate ceremony but then heading off into the mountains to explore just the two of them (and me as their elopement photographer, of course)! 

No one could have prepared us for the misty, magical day Evan + Trey would have on their Glacier National Park intimate wedding day. I always tell my couples, “we don’t worry about the weather around here” and their elopement gallery is the perfect example why. But this particular wedding takes it one step further with an added obstacle and last minute changes of plan because of surprise construction. Just another reason why elopements are made for going with the flow and soaking in the unexpected beauty of an unconventional wedding day! 

Evan + Trey are originally from Oklahoma, but got engaged in Grand Teton National Park. When it came to planning a wedding, they never felt drawn to the conventional ceremonies or timelines. With Glacier being their favorite national park, Montana was an easy decision. While they loved the idea of eloping just the two of them, they knew their close knit family would want to come along as well (including her grandmother in a wheelchair). So they created the best of both worlds – eloping with family in Polebridge followed by adventure-style portrait photos in the park – proving you can make your wedding day look however you want. 

Though when we arrived at their first look and ceremony location, everywhere you turned was construction. Too far into the wilderness to change plans, Evan + Trey decided to make the best of what they had and celebrated through every twist and turn the day threw at them. The best moments of elopements are often unplanned, so unexpected challenges are rarely a bother!  Found us a small trail nearby that grandma could access with an open field and they went for it.

They shared moments on the lake shore, tiptoed along flowing riverbeds, ran through tunnels, and ended with those quintessentially Glacier epic mountain views at Big Bend, catching the last of the wildflowers in bloom. 

Low lying clouds made for moody backdrops to compliment his deep red suit (a stunner from William & Lauren) and the wind kept her classic white dress flowing in photos (thanks to Chantilly Bridal for that one). The stormy sky over their ceremony (officiated by my absolute favorite Raul with Best Day Officiants), the wind in her bouquet ribbon (a stunning batch of florals by the talented people over at Mum’s Flowers), their pups running around, the dirt on her dress, the warmth their smiles bring to an otherwise eerie view – all of the vibes you could want for eloping with family in the mountains.

Photographing an Amalfi Coast elopement is what I do now guys. Dreaming up a European destination elopement isn’t difficult, but choosing from a long list of stunning cities gets a little trickier. Kara + Chase wanted a bit of romantic culture, delectable bites, iconic views, and easy-going vibes (I mean, who wouldn’t?!). And you have to admit that there’s one country that does these things better than the rest – Italy. 

This elopement photography love story starts back when a sweetheart of a man (who we now know as Chase) dropped an inquiry into my inbox last year. He left thoughtful details talking about how his girlfriend loved Christmas time and trees and twinkling lights and the entire season, and that he was planning to propose to her while on a trip in Montana. And lucky me, asked me to photograph their proposal.

Flash forward a few months, Chase + Kara were back in my inbox, but this time with very fun plans. Not only were they planning a destination elopement, but an Italian elopement on the Amalfi Coast. They knew I traveled all over to shoot wedding photos and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind when I said, “COUNT ME IN!” 

And as dreamy and beautiful and love-filled their Positano elopement was in the end, it wasn’t without a few hiccups here and there. If you’re planning a destination wedding, don’t forget to embrace the flaws, go with the flow, make plan Bs you love, and leave the focus more on the fact that you’re getting married than on the views or scenery or where you are in the world. 

Now that I’ve put you into the right mindset, let Kara+ Chase’s day whisk you away to the coast of Italy, in the infamous region of Amalfi, in a little cliffside town that draws in people from all over the world for its colorful stacked buildings and endless views. Positano is as pretty as cities come, with maze-like streets and pebble beaches and villas tucked into the side of its rugged coastline. 

Kara + Chase planned a laid-back elopement for early May, a month rumored to be the best time to visit this region with great weather and limited tourists. The plan was a ceremony on their private balcony, take-out pizza, a boat ride into the bay, and a next-day trip to Capri to explore. But the universe had other plans for us. 

When Kara + Chase arrived in Naples, their luggage didn’t. And in a time where the weather was historically stunning, it poured rain for days on end. The waters were too rough on the bay for boat rentals to cruise and even the ferries shut down completely. Gray skies dimmed the usual vintage glow of Positano and the original plan was thrown out practically upon arrival. 

But even with all of the mishaps, Kara + Chase had their dream destination elopement. 

Kara had her dress with her and a bit of makeup too. I brought over a straightener I had packed to help with her hair. We watched the radar only get worse, but still Kara + Chase didn’t lose their enthusiasm while we dreamed up new plans for the day. Rather than the terrace of their villa, the lovers exchanged sweet personal vows in the doorway as the skies dumped rain outside. After the ceremony and after we were told that the boat rentals weren’t operating, we headed out to the streets of the village for photos, stopping for a pizza along the way. 

It’s often the simplest moments of a wedding day that feel the most authentic and natural to my couples and boy did these photos prove that right once again! The pizza photos were some of my favorites, even among the classic Postinano views. 

It’s common for couples to add a day-after session to their elopements and we just had to do one with Kara + Chase in Italy, even with the wild weather and lost baggage. Kara found some sandals and a dress in the village boutique and even though our day trip to Capri wouldn’t happen, lots of rain meant empty beaches. A big plus for us! So we explored the beachfront and played in the rough waves, soaking in all of the beautiful chaos of their destination elopement so far. 

All in all, it was a beautiful, wild, unpredictable, happy, majestic few days on the coast of Italy. Another incredible destination elopement in the books. How fun was it that I got to check Italian elopement off of my bucket list because of these two?! Where should we head next?? Spain? Vietnam?? Norway?? Sign me up! 
Don’t forget to swipe through their Amalfi Coast wedding photos for inspiration for your own adventure! Or if you’re looking for inspo with a different vibe, check out his international destination elopement in Iceland!

Eastern Oregon Wedding on the Historic Oregon Trail  

History, hometowns, famous hauntings, and a family heirloom came together for Beth + Brent’s eastern Oregon wedding in Baker City. They wanted a simple, heartfelt microwedding surrounded by the people (and places) that mattered most. What did they get? A ghost story or two, real-life Oregon Trail wagon ruts, and a last-minute weather shift that made the whole thing feel even more personal and sentimental. 

If you’re planning an intimate in Oregon, whether it’s for your family roots or a love of local history, this one is full of inspo! 

Beth, Brent, and a Baker City, Oregon Wedding Way

Getting Ready at the Haunted Geiser Grand Hotel

The charming Geiser Grand Hotel is a popular Eastern Oregon wedding venue itself and a historic landmark in Baker City. Originally opened in 1898, the hotel has had quite a past, originally as a luxury spot during the Gold Rush era and then as a renovation project, but most know it because of how freakin’ haunted it is!!! 

Beth spent the night before her wedding here with a couple of her closest girls, and I met her there the morning of her wedding. As she was getting ready, she mentioned that her room is rumored to be THE most haunted room in the whole place! The hotel staff refers to her as Annebelle, but she’s also known as The Lady in Blue (click if you are a lover of ghost stories like me), and apparently, she loves to lurk around and make herself known! 

Personally, I’m happy she didn’t make an appearance, but shout out to her suite because it made for the perfect place for some classic getting-ready wedding photos for Beth with a big ornate window and a chandelier. 

Brent got ready down the road at his parents’ property, with stunning views of the Blue Mountains. It was a quiet morning with no one else around (Brent said it was the best!) 

An Intimate Ceremony at a Unique Eastern Oregon Wedding Venue 

With just 25 of their favorite people, Beth + Brent had their ceremony at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. It’s not typically used as a wedding venue, but it’s only 2 minutes from Brent’s family home and offers some great views, with the Blue Mountains, the Wallowa Mountains, the Baker Valley, and Virtue flat are all visible from its trail systems! 

When it came to their wedding day, the rain clouds rolled in and fog socked in the valley, so not many mountains were in sight. But the puffy clouds above rolling plains made for a killer ceremony backdrop, made even better by a homemade wedding arch made by Beth herself! 

And then came my favorite part! Turns out this place is perfect if you’re a history buff or an Oregon wedding photographer who lovesssss unique + fun photo opportunities! Beth, Brent, & I went off to explore after the ceremony for portraits, and ended up in front of a wagon, running down original wagon ruts of the Oregon Trail, hanging out in front of a blacksmith home, and truly having the BEST time! This wasn’t an Oregon Trail-themed wedding,, but now I’m like…who wants to plan one??? 

A Backyard Reception Turned Cozy Family Dinner 

After portraits, the newlyweds and their guests headed back to Brent’s family home for a backyard reception. Originally, they had set up a single long table in the yard, but the skies opened up and the threat of rain loomed a little too close for comfort. Beth asked me if moving everyone inside would ruin the photos, and if you know me at all, you know my rule: rain NEVER ruins a wedding day. It almost always adds some memorable stories to the mix. 

And their wedding day was no different! 

Quickly shifting the plans indoors, I watched as Brent’s parents pulled out leaves for their dining table, one that had been in their family for over 100 years. Everyone grabbed their spot, sitting closer than they would have outside, and got cozy during teary-eyed speeches and food shared family style. It. Was. PERFECT. 

Sitting around a table full of family history, celebrating a new era of family added, after a day of ghost stories, local landmarks, historic replicas… I mean, does it get more special? I’d photograph days like these over and over and over again. 

Planning a wedding in Oregon? 

We don’t have to head to the Oregon Trail or Baker City, we could head west and plan a beach wedding or head south to the redwoods and run around in the forest! The location doesn’t matter, I’ll follow you anywhere. 

But I’ll tell ya, as a wedding photographer, what does matter most:

Planning a day that means something. Doing the things you love. Going somewhere that makes you feel inspired, or sentimental, or most alive. 

If that’s the kind of Oregon wedding you’re planning, then count me IN! 

→ Head over to my contact form to chat about your own Oregon wedding photos! 

But not before you take a look at Beth + Brent’s gallery featuring haunted hotels, wagon replicas, and that sweet family dining table!

 What if I told you that these engagement photos in Seattle with sunshine and cherry blossoms were originally planned for a time and place where the high temperature for the day was -16 degrees?? HA! It’s true. The unplanned swap in locations for this engagement session was the absolute best decision—all thanks to the enchanted forest, feels-like-summer vibes from the Washington Park Arboretum in early March. So if you need some engagement photo location in Seattle inspo, keep reading this one! 

When Life Gives You Blizzards, Head to Seattle! 

Usually, I tell my clients not to worry about the weather. Stormy clouds? They make for the most epic moody lighting. A little wind? Messy hair is my favorite. But blizzards with highs of -16 degrees? It’s uncomfortable. Like really uncomfortable. And it shows in the photos. 

I’ve been there, done that and I promise even when you want to stick it out, you end up running back and forth to the car for warm-ups every 4-5 minutes, wiping up snotty noses, and wishing you would have just waited for a warmer day. 

Steph + Kyle are Montana natives who swapped mountain life for the West Coast (just like me! Kyle is actually my BFF’s brother-in-law!), so they *know* cold. And even though they originally wanted to capture their engagement photos in the snowy landscape where they grew up AND where they’d be getting married, when I told them about the weather, they said, “Give us a Plan B, Jackie!!” 

As luck would have it, I was already SEA-bound (heading out for this Belize honeymoon photoshoot with Caroline + Connor), and these two lovers now call Seattle home. So we traded in our snow boots for a sunny spring day at the Washington Park Arboretum, a place that holds special meaning for Kyle + Steph—it’s their go-to spot for dog walks and weekend hangs.

And can we talk about that weather?! 74 degrees in March, camellias in bloom, cherry blossoms just starting to pop, and we basically had entire sections of the park to ourselves. Including their pups in the session made it even more personal—capturing not just them and their love, but their whole life in Seattle together.

Why the Washington Park Arboretum is Seattle’s Best-Kept Secret for Engagement Photos

If you’re hunting for the perfect engagement photo location in Seattle, let me spill some tea about why the Arboretum should be at the top of your list!

★ It’s got year-round beauty! 

The Washington Park Arboretum is one hell of a park. It’s got something like 230 acres,  beautifully managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens. Every season brings something magical :

• Spring: Cherry blossoms, camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons create a pink and purple wonderland if color is your thing 
• Summer: Hydrangeas are in full swing and the Woodland Garden section of the park turns into every cottage-core-obsessed gal’s dream
• Fall: Japanese maples turn the whole place into a fiery display, so if you want that quintessential fall engagement photo vibe—it’s perf
• Winter: Nothing is growing but witch hazel which is giving moody and mysterious in the best way if you ask me 

★ There are tons of hidden gems (with more privacy). 

When we were exploring the park, we found a hidden camellia garden with ZERO people around. The Arboretum is full of secret spots like this! With 20,000+ plants from around the world, you’ve got endless backdrops/vibes for your photos. There’s the Japanese Garden, Azalea Way, Woodland Garden and SO many more. Think of the variety you could get in just one engagement photoshoot!!

★ The park is dog-friendly—bring your furchildren! 

I’m a sucker for including pets in engagement or wedding photography. I mean, just look at these lovers with their pups, can you blame me?! The Arboretum is perfect for this. Your furbabe can explore all the gardens with us—just keep ’em leashed! And honestly? Having the dogs there helps everyone relax and just be themselves. Kyle + Steph’s dogs were living their BEST lives during this session, and it shows in every single photo! 

★ You don’t have to leave the city for a green, outdoor, forest vibe. 

The Arboretum is literally minutes from downtown Seattle, but step inside and suddenly you’re in this lil’ oasis wonderland that feels miles away from city life. Perfect for my couples who want nature-inspired engagement shoot photos without having to head to the wilderness or hop on a plane. Though I’m down for that too! If you can’t tell by this and this and this HAHA! 

So… wanna hang with me for your engagement photos? 

Remember how I said I too was a Montana → West Coast transplant? After over a decade of photographing love in my home state, I now call myself an Oregon wedding photographer! This means Seattle is only a hop, skip, and a jump away for me and my camera. 

So whether you’re planning your engagement photos at the Washington Park Arboretum, want to head off into Olympic National Park for an adventure session, or are thinking of heading south for a couples session on the Oregon Coast—you’d better be counting me in! Fill out my inquiry form and tell me about you and your lover so we can get to dreaming + planning something fun, true to you, and STUNNING of course!

If you’re searching for the best places in Seattle for engagement photos the Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington usually doesn’t make the list. Classic Seattle vibes like Pike Place Market, Kerry Park, the waterfront, and Washington Park Arboretum are all beautiful in their own way, but what if you want something a little different? And indoors??

As a wedding and engagement photographer, my top tip is always to choose a location that feels sentimental. And that’s how I ended up with Sydney + Nicholas running around the library on a very snowy morning in Seattle! 

Why Suzzallo Library is a Hidden Gem for Engagement Photos

If you’ve never been, let me tell ya, this building is a stunner (and a photographer’s playground)! Old Gothic architecture, arched windows with plenty of natural light pouring in, grand staircases with vaulted ceilings, dark woods, and intricate pendant lights everywhere.  It’s like stepping into a European cathedral but in the heart of a college campus.

For classic, timeless engagement photos, it’s the perfect backdrop. But there are a couple of other reasons why the Suzzallo Library might be the right choice for you: 

• It’s stunning year-round in any weather. Doesn’t matter if it’s sunny, drizzling, or completely gray; the architecture and light in Suzzallo always look good.
  
• It can be meaningful to you! If UW is part of your story, college sweethearts, grad school years, or countless coffee runs on campus, it’s such a cool way to tie that chapter of your life into your photos.

• It’s flexible for your style, outfit, or vibe. Whether you want to dress up in something formal or keep it low-key and cozy, Suzzallo works either way!
  
• It pairs well with other locations. Want both dramatic, moody architecture and a completely different backdrop? Maybe some adventure? Perhaps a skyline? All of the go-to Seattle engagement photo locations are close by, so you can make a day of it!
  
  → Head to Snoqualmie Pass for snowy mountains or forest trails (like Sydney + Nicholas)
  → Pop over to Gas Works Park for skyline views and industrial vibes

→ Hit the Seattle waterfront for a classic PNW shot
→ Sneak into the UW Quad in spring when the cherry blossoms go wild
→ Wander to Capitol Hill for moody urban streets and neon lights
→ Finish with golden hour at Discovery Park for open fields and sunsets

The wish for a snowy engagement photoshoot? Granted. 

These two lovers live in the Midwest now, but spent four years in Washington, where they first moved in together! So when they planned a trip back to visit friends, they decided their Seattle engagement session was the perfect excuse to celebrate their time here.

Sydney has high hopes for a winter engagement photo vibe, and originally, we had decided to spend all of our time in the Snoqualmie Pass for portraits! But her mind kept wandering back to the Suzzallo Library and how she had always been obsessed with the library, so we were like, “why not both???”

We planned to meet at the library bright and early (because it can get busy fast), then drive out toward the Pass later. But Seattle’s weather had other plans! A surprise snowstorm hit the night before (soooo much fresh snow for Sydney’s wish!), but the university delayed opening the library by two hours so we had to improvise! 

Instead of waiting around, we grabbed coffee and headed east! We drove through snow on the highways, only to find weird dry patches where snow completely disappeared. Every trail we’d scouted was blocked or inaccessible. Classic winter adventure photography!!! 

Finally, we found a random roadside pull-off with a snowy trail winding into the trees. No perfect view or landmark—just fresh snow, quiet forest, and room to play. And it was perfect.

They ran around in the snow and laughed until their faces were red and their hands were frozen. Worth it! But back to the library we went to warm up! 

We got there just in time for the afternoon light to pour in through those huge windows. I won’t keep gushing over the photos, but keep reading to see ‘em for yourself!

Tips for Engagement Photos at Suzzallo Library UW

If you’re thinking of shooting your engagement photos at Suzzallo Library, here are a few tips:

✔ Go early: It gets busy quickly, especially during the school year.
✔ Check UW hours: You truly never know! Weather or campus events can affect open times, so just do your research.
✔ Consider a weekday: Fewer people!! Especially if you don’t love the idea of being photographed around groups of people.
✔ Mix indoor & outdoor: The exterior architecture is just as photogenic as the inside! Plus, there are so many stunning nooks around, the options are endless!  

Want help choosing a Seattle engagement session location? 

Then let me help! Take a look at this blog about engagement photo ideas, specifically choosing a location that is sentimental to YOU!

I’ve photographed couples in every corner of the world, from Belize to Iceland to Oregon, and my favorite ones are always the ones that mean something.  So if Seattle is a part of your story, let’s meet at your favorite place! 

Contact me to plan your engagement session!

Why Lone Mountain Ranch is the Best for Winter Elopements

If the vibe for your winter wedding is snowglobe, Hallmark movie scene…

Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky Montana is your place! Specifically, if you want it to feel like two lovers ran off to the mountains to cozy up by the fire in a cabin, take a post-wedding sleigh ride, and warm up with burgers & beers at the saloon. 

This resort doubles as a Montana wedding venue and they make it so stupidly easy to have a winter wedding that’s beautiful, low-stress, and just really damn fun. ​​Whether you’re eloping or planning something a bit bigger, it’s honestly one of the best places to get married in Montana. Especially in winter (but all year round, too).

Baker + Mark’s Winter Elopement in Big Sky

These two came out from Nashville and handled winter in the mountains like absolute champs.

It had dumped fresh snow right before their wedding, which was amazing for photos (and less amazing for fingers and toes ‘cause BURR). When I arrived in Big Sky the day before, it was -28°F. The day of the elopement? A spicy 12°F and they were still down for the full winter wonderland experience.

Baker was finishing her hair and makeup when I arrived at their cabin, coffee in hand, FaceTiming her sister, totally chilled out. 

They did their first look just outside the cabin, with the trees heavy with snow and the whole ranch looking like a postcard. We wandered through the property, took photos around the cabins and the barn, sleigh ride, and even went up to one of the ridge areas where you can see the whole valley (so stunning if the weather’s clear)!

Then (because being frozen is NOT recommended for good photos) we headed back to their cabin, started a fire, and just hung out while they warmed up. Friendly reminder from your fav elopement photographer → Not every part of your elopement has to be a photo moment. Sometimes, just hanging out, soaking it all in is NEEDED.

Later, we wandered over to the saloon (truly the cutest one I’ve ever seen), snapped some filmy, flash-style photos, ordered drinks and burgers, and ended the day in some comfort-food coma, just-got-married bliss!!! 

Why You’re Going to Love Lone Mountain Ranch 

There are a million reasons why I recommend this place to couples planning a mountain elopement, but here are a few of my favorites:

You don’t have to leave the property (if you don’t want to). 

Ceremony? Photos? Lodging? FOOD? All here. No driving. No coordinating five different places. You wake up, walk outside, and it’s all ready for you. They have on-site catering, music, restaurants, everything.

But if you do want to leave the ranch, you’re only 18 miles to Yellowstone National Park. LMR offers guided tours and is so helpful with transport, too. 

It’s a dream mountain escape (and a dream for wedding photos, too). 

Cozy, rustic cabins. An old style saloon. Horses. Fire places. Sleigh rides. Need I say more? The aesthetic of every single space is giving mountain getaway in the best way, perfect for destination elopements for out of towners wanting that classic western vibe! 

It’s an outdoor lover’s playground (and the adventure is built-in). 

Like I said, you’re in the backyard of Yellowstone National Park and surrounded by endless outdoor adventure activities. The ranch offers excursions like horseback riding (where are my horse wedding people at??), fly fishing, and guided hiking. Though for winter specifically, they’ll happily take you just 10 miles down the road for skiing at Big Sky Resort, give you gear for some cross country snowshoeing on Nordic trails,  or pick you up at your cabin with a horse sleigh in the snow. 

They’ve got options for every kind of couple.

If you’re eloping just the two of you, their Big Sky elopement packages cover all the bases—lodging, meals, coordination, activities. They also have specific packages for winter elopements versus summer elopements (seriously, I told ya, they think of everything)!

If you’re planning something more traditional, Lone Mountain has full wedding packages with multiple indoor and outdoor ceremony sites, plenty of lodging for guests, and just about every inclusion or amenity you could ask for. 

More Lone Mountain Ranch Wedding & Elopement Inspo 

Wanna see this place in every season? I’ve been lucky enough to shoot here a lot, and trust me, it never misses! 

For my winter-lovers:

→ A Snowy Christmas Wedding in Montana
→ Winter Mountain Wedding in Big Sky

Fall vibes are stunning:

→ Lone Mountain Ranch Fall Elopement

Summer in the mountains:

→ Destination Wedding at Lone Mountain Ranch

Need an elopement photographer for Lone Mountain Ranch? 

Whether you’re planning a snowy two-person ceremony or a full-on ranch wedding with your crew, Lone Mountain Ranch is one of my all-time favorite wedding venues to photograph.

The staff is amazing. The property is beautiful. The vibes are impeccable. And it shows in your photos every time.  So if you’re planning your winter elopement at the ranch, I’m your girl.Let’s start planning your Lone Mountain Ranch  elopement →

And take a quick scroll for the full story as told by Baker + Mark’s elopement photos! 

This wasn’t my first surprise proposal and it definitely won’t be my last, but let me tell ya—they get better every single time. As a wedding + elopement photographer, I’m constantly trying to learn something new or take away a lesson from every shoot. Over the years, surprise proposals have gone from something that truly terrified me to being one of the most exciting inquiries that pop into my inbox! Caitlin + Cade’s photoshoot in Glacier National Park is the perfect example of how insanely good photos can come from the most spontaneous moments. 

Behind-the-Scenes of Another Successful Surprise Proposal 

Cayde filled out my contact form nearly 5 months before the two would make their way from Louisiana to Montana for a little getaway. This trip was his way of saying ‘thank you’—a sweet gesture to make up for cutting her family national park road trip short when Cayde had a serious car accident the year before. He had no real plan, which truthfully made my photographer brain a liiiittle worried, but we agreed we’d go with the flow and surely enough, it was just the right amount of trickery to pull it off! 

For Caitlin, she thought Cayde *might* pop the question during their vacation to Glacier. But that morning, everything seemed normal. It was March in the Rocky Mountains, so there was plenty of fresh snow, and they were off to explore the park before dinner reservations later that night! When Cayde put on a nice shirt for freezing temperatures, he almost pinged those girlfriend-spidey senses (you know the ones). But when she asked about his outfit, he quickly brushed it off with the, “so I don’t have to change for dinner!” excuse. Classic. Following his lead, Caitlin thought, “oh duh, let me change!” And that might have been the smoothest move I’ve seen in my 15+ years of photography. Suddenly, they both were photo-ready without a hiccup in the plan. 

They headed into the park before I did, wandering around, and discovering just how magical GNP can be (even when the wind is sending shivers to your core). Cayde and I were ready. He had sneakily sent photos from their morning, so I knew exactly what they looked like. I had chosen a spot with cell phone reception, a rare commodity in GNP, and shared my location. With Bill, my precious Frenchie and my professional decoy, I casually strolled along Lake McDonald while the lovebirds headed out onto a snow-covered dock. I sat back, ready to capture it all, as I saw a bend of the knee starting to come when… Cailitin asked for selfies. HA! He happily obliged, I chuckled, and she turned around to take more photos of the stunning views. 

And then, he did it! 

Another surprise proposal photoshoot pulled off. Perfection!

She was so excited to have a photographer there to document it all. So now that Cayde and I had entered the sweet relief stage and our trickery was perfectly executed, all there was left to do was wander and take some spontaneous winter engagement photos in GNP! 

We headed back to a spot they had explored earlier in the day for a bit of sentimental documentation of their day when the winds started furiously whipping around freshly fallen snow. It was along the road, not some epic spot with the mountain range as our background, but we stopped for photos right as the sun was beaming down and it was STUNNING. The snow flying, the unexpected lighting, the spontaneous location—they were easily some of their favorites from the day (and mine, too).   

If you’re looking for surprise proposal ideas, let this be your sign! 

What makes it truly special isn’t the meticulously planned details, but the fun of just going for it and seeing what comes. Don’t be afraid of imperfection. Some of the most stunning photographs come from moments that weren’t carefully staged or overly planned. Embrace the spontaneity, trust your photographer, and just have a damn good time! 

Tthe best shots always happen when you least expect them. 

If you don’t believe me, just scroll through Caitlin + Cayde’s winter engagement photos! And there’s more where that came from. When you’re done, take a peek at Elizabeth + Chad’s surprise proposal for more proof! 

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Looking for an engagement, elopement, or wedding photographer? I’d looooove to be a part of your plans. And SURPRISE! I’ve moved. So while I still photograph in Glacier National Park and beyond, I’m now your local Oregon Coast photographer! From Montana to Oregon to Washington and beyond, count me in for your big plans. Check out my pricing here!

A Last Minute Elopement in the Mountains  

Have you ever looked at your partner and thought, “We should just go get married?”

For an elopement in the mountains, all you need is each other (and an elopement photographer to document it all)! You don’t need a full year of prep, traditional events you don’t care about, or a wedding venue to plan a meaningful day.  A last-minute elopement can be just as beautiful, sometimes even more so.

That’s exactly what Kelly + Phil did. They were getting ready to move out of state, had spent years living in the mountains, and decided (about six weeks out!) that it just made sense to get married on a hike they already loved. No stress, no big plan—just a mountain trail, sharing vows in a place they love, and some sandwiches packed for a post-ceremony picnic with a view.

Why a Last-Minute Elopement in the Mountains Might Be Your Best Idea Yet

We met up on the trail and hiked 5+ miles through wildflower meadows in 98° heat (with plenty of shaded breaks and makeup check-ins along the way). There was not one bit of pressure, no tight schedules to follow, no guests to worry about. When you don’t spend months planning the day, it somehow lets you just be. It gave them space just to take it all in. To look around and say, “holy shit we are getting married!!! In the most magical place!!! With nothing to worry about except making the most of our day together!!!” And while it might not be for everyone, it was perfect for them. 

They found the perfect little rock pad to share their vows (without trampling any of the fragile flora), with this insane panoramic view of the lake and mountain range. And when it was all said and done? They sat with their butts in the dirt on the lake shoreline, eating sandwiches and watching the sunset. Honestly, it doesn’t get more them than that. And that’s the point.

Eloping in the mountains isn’t just about skipping the big wedding! It’s about slowing down, doing something that feels natural, and ending the day knowing you just created a memory that felt true to your relationship. As Phil said at the end of the night, “That was the coolest thing we’ve ever done.” And ya know what, I AGREE! 

A Mountain Wedding Dress, Cowboy Hat & Boots Made for Walking

If you’re considering a last-minute elopement, you might be thinking, “okay Jackie, you’re the elopement photographer here, what do we wear???” Well, Kelli + Phil just might have some inspo for you!! I’d always suggest bringing options for comfort and style, which is what they did. 

They swapped between traditional hiking boots and their wedding shoes throughout the day. She wore a veil for the ceremony, and a hat when the wind was gentle enough not to send it flying through the air. Her hiking elopement dress was chef’s kiss! Off-white and textured (my biggest suggestion to brides choosing a dress with photos in mind…TEXTURE!!! More inspo here.) Phil wore a cool as hell red bolo tie and brought out his cowboy hat for some wedding portraits. They hiked through the trails with “just married” signs hanging from their backpacks.

The whole vibe was casual, western-inspired, and freaking STUNNING for a hiking elopement in the Rocky Mountains. If that’s your vibe, make sure to scroll down through the photos! 

Need a destination wedding photographer for your elopement in the mountains (or somewhere else?!)

I can’t tell you how many couples I’ve worked with who didn’t start out thinking they’d elope. But when they realized they could:

•  plan a wedding in WAY less time
•  get married somewhere beautiful 
• skip the pressure of a traditional wedding
• and still have amazing photos to look back on

It all just made sense!!! 

Whether you’re hiking out to a viewpoint, planning a destination wedding, or just thinking “we should just freaking do this!!!”—I’m here for it!!! As a traveling wedding + elopement photographer, I help crazy-in-love couples bring their spontaneous, unconventional, or totally chill wedding ideas to life.

→ Like finding a quiet ceremony spot away from tourists for Laurel + Marcello’s Yellowstone National Park elopement.
→ Or getting married in a teeny tiny white church off a highway in the Paradise Valley with Angie + Ryan.
→ Or chasing waterfalls with Ria + Jordan for their elopement in Iceland! 

Basically, if you’re coming up with elopement ideas true to you + your partner, ones that involve running off to beautiful places and saying I Do in the most YOU way ever, I wanna be there to photograph it!

And hey! If you’re dreaming up an Oregon elopement now that I’m local? Even better!!! For weddings, elopements, and couples shoots, inquire here friend!!