hey hey

 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!

Surprise Engagement Photos Done Right—Here’s How! 

When an inquiry for surprise engagement photos popped up in my inbox from Mike, I expected the usual, “can you help me plan, follow us on our walk, and wait for me to get on one knee?” But that wasn’t his plan. And while I do really love a sweet surprise proposal photoshoot, this one left me feeling like I needed to share his alternative option with my soon-to-be engaged guys, gals, and non-binary pals. So if you’re thinking about proposing and planning a surprise engagement photo session, but aren’t sure how you or your partner feel about them, READ THIS!

Steal Mike + Brittany’s Surprise Proposal Plan For Yourself 

Here’s what made Mike’s plan absolutely brilliant—he wanted their Glacier National Park vacation to be about celebrating their engagement, not just capturing it. Using my location guide (which all my couples get!), he scouted out the perfect proposal spots for their first days but easily disguised them as just some laid-back exploring. His reasoning? “I want to spend our vacation being your fiancé.” (No really, Brittany told me these exact words came out of his mouth, a lucky girl she is!!!)

Instead of surprising Brittany with both a proposal AND a photographer, he captured their special moment himself with a video. This meant she could be completely present in the moment, wearing exactly what she wanted, without wondering why her partner was dragging her to a specific spot at a specific time acting all weird.

THEN he told her had booked me for engagement photos the next day. They planned their engagement session together. Brittany got to shop for outfits she felt amazing in, and they saved some of Glacier’s most beautiful spots for our shoot so they could experience them together for the first time. While getting engagement photos. And that my friends, is surprise engagement photos done right! 

Dancing Our Way Through A National Park Engagement Session

The universe was on Mike + Brittany’s side that evening. The forecast was calling for 6-12 inches of snow (in Glacier, anything’s possible). It had rained the entire day before, was supposed to rain all day after, but minutes before we met at St. Mary’s the clouds parted just enough to give us that moody sky and Montana mountain magic that GNP is known for!

We spent the evening exploring secret trails and hidden spots, and these two were absolutely vibing! When Brittany wasn’t sure what to do, she just started dancing—which honestly cracked me up and made for the most natural, in-the-moment photos! I love to leave space for that awkward what do I do moment just to see what you might do organically. Let your authenticity shine. 

We did a quick swap to their hiking clothes, something totally comfy and normal for them (which I highly suggest for an engagement session!). And then we ended the adventure exactly how they always do—two ham, turkey, and cheese sandwiches (Brittany’s with the crust cut off). They cheers’d and shared their traditional hiking snack on an adorable little bridge, chit-chatting away! An entire surprise proposal, mountain getaway, and engagement session completely true to them. 

Got Questions About Planning Your own Surprise Engagement Photos? 

I’ve helped plenty of mastermind partners who wanted to pull off popping the question and make sure someone was there to capture it all! 

Like this snowy surprise proposal in the mountains!

And these proposal photos that are the sweetest! 

And obviously Brittany + Mike! (Keep going to peek at their images!) So start brainstorming, contact me using this link, and let me know what you’re thinking! These shoots are some of my favorites, so let’s plan yours together!

Planning a shoot in a national park with the love of your life and searching for a bit of inspiration for your engagement photo outfits? Alexandra + Grant nailed their neutral, causal western meets boho engagement outfits for their Yellowstone National Park engagement photos! You might have opened this blog for the outfits, but you’re gonna leave swooooooning over the rugged frontier and moody weather vibe of this entire day! It was absolute perfection.

I was already stoked to cruise out for a Yellowstone engagement session with these two babes, but the energy (and the outfits of course) they brought along with them made me realize we were about to create something so f*cking good! Alexandra + Grant got engaged in Zion National Park and knew they wanted the essence of adventure in their engagement photos, maybe even a little bit of wild western meets mountain vibes, so the Lamar Valley in the northeast portion of the park was perfectoooo! 

In a sea of sagebrush and creeping fog, we made the most of the area as a slow-moving storm approached. Alexandra wore a sweet lace dress (hellllo texture!) with a denim jacket, white cowgirl boots, and a tan boho hat completed the look. Meanwhile Grant sported brown Blundstones with a hat of his own, tied together with dark jeans and a flannel with the sleeves rolled up. Casual, comfy, and so true to them, which is the most important part! 

After you book engagement photography with me, I always send over a little guide to ease any anxiety you might have about preparing for your shoot – engagement photo outfit guidance included. I get it! It can feel overwhelming and tricky to match your clothes to the vibe you want, while still feeling comfy and most importantly, like yourself. I’ll always encourage you to wear what makes you feel your BEST! Alexandra + Grant are perfect examples of doing it riiiight. 

We brought their western mountain engagement photoshoot vision to life as they made out in open fields as bison literally passed by, held hands as they crossed streams, and just as the skies opened up, they danced together on a bridge as the rain poured hard all around. That’s kinda magical, right?! 

Okay enough of my yappin’ about how perfect these two are, you aren’t going to wait another second before seeing their engagement photos in Yellowstone National Park! Go on, scroll away! 

Once you’re done here, I’ve got some more engagement photo outfit ideas for you. For a whimsical wildflower vibe, take a look at L+C’s engagement photos! Sun-drenched golden hour (and more lace!!), you’ll wanna see R+R’s couples photos. You know what, actually just head to the blog and see ‘em all for yourself! My clients know how to do it right.

Backpacks, beers, and bears – Ashlee + Tanner’s hiking engagement photos were so fun in Big Sky! Okay soooo there weren’t actually any bears, though we were actively on the lookout. Though there was absolutely a backpack of beer, a scenic hike in the mountains of Montana, kisses next to an alpine lake, and even a secret stash of snow at the top (the best surprise for these two east coast beach babes)! 

Ashlee + Tanner both went to college in Wilmington, NC, but didn’t officially meet until they both relocated to Charlotte. One Instagram message and a night out with mutual friends put them in each other’s lives forever. And a trip to Montana with their families brought them to me! They were already engaged when the trips were planned, so they felt they couldn’t miss a chance for some mountain engagement photos while out west. They found me on my good friend Google, inquired with me, and the rest is history! 

When we chatted about what they wanted, they knew they wanted to plan more of an experience than just a photoshoot. They were spending plenty of time with family, so this was a chance to go off and explore just the two of them. And when in Big Sky, why not get some hiking engagement photos? 

Before we headed off for their adventure couples shoot, we took a minute to take some photos with their family (because how often is your whole fam together??) and then up we went! The hike was steep, but manageable, and not steep enough to deter Tanner from pulling out some beers from his well-stocked backpack. We sipped (well, they sipped, my gluten and ethanol allergy unfortunately doesn’t allow me to partake) and we chatted about how we’re all obsessed with our Oura Rings (we deserved to be sponsored from how much we love them) and of course, we took photos as we moved along. 

We made it to the top for the best surprise for two people from the Southern east coast – SNOW! Tanner + Ashlee had enough cell service to FaceTime their family and make them extra jealous of the snow and alpine views. At this elevation it’s a bit difficult to breathe if you aren’t used to it, so they took a bit to run around the lake and through some fields before their sea-level lungs had enough and we headed back down. The beer made a reappearance as we were on high alert for bear activity, but our furry friends never popped out for a visit. It was a laid-back, fun-filled engagement photoshoot with no real planning, but my gosh the photos prove you just don’t need to overthink it! 

Before their shoot, they mentioned that they really wanted to look back on their time engaged and know they filled it with ease and spontaneity. Rather than be stressed or overwhelmed, they really wanted to relish in just how incredible it is to be in this phase of life. This day was a true reflection of that attitude. If you take anything away from Ashlee + Tanner’s hiking engagement shoot, let it be a reminder that your love for each other is serious, but the wedding planning phase doesn’t have to be! 

Looking for light-hearted adventure photos like theirs for your engagement, elopement, or wedding? Count me in, friend! You can learn more about my approach to photography & how I work right here.

When you go searching for the best engagement photo ideas, you’ll likely find endless big views and epic scenery and curated spaces. But what if I told you that it can be more simple than that? This session with Marissa + John was at a quiet spot alongside a river behind their property and it was just as dreamy as any engagement photo inspiration I’ve seen out there. 

It’s true that I shoot a lot of adventure sessions. And typically, I don’t even get to take engagement photos for my wedding photography clients because most of them are from out of town! They come to Montana for the landscapes of Glacier National Park or stunning resort towns like Big Sky. And as a destination lover myself, I am all about it! 

But when I get to take engagement photos for a local couple in Missoula, I geek out over the possibilities of quiet locations, sentimental spots, and laid-back shoots that showcase their love just the way it is. And when it was time to think up some engagement photo ideas, that’s exactly what Marissa + John wanted! 

While the spot was definitely pretty, there wasn’t anything famous or epic about it. But it was woven into their everyday life, a little oasis to walk their pup, spend some time by the river soaking in the sun, to retreat to and unwind after all life throws your way. It was a view they knew all too well, every twig we passed and twist in the trail was so familiar to them. 

This is your permission slip to throw away all of the engagement photo ideas on Pinterest of places that mean nothing to you and replace them with sentimental places you spend time with the one you love most. The pub where you play trivia every Thursday. The couch where you snuggle while watching your favorite show. The river where you walk your dog. 

When Marissa + John look back on these photos, they’ll always remember the moments spent together in this spot. Their home by the river in Missoula. The way the leaves turn quickly in the fall and bloom slowly in the spring. All of the good, real life moments that fill their relationship. What a freakin’ sweet tribute to their love!

So where are my Missoula babes? Let’s comb through your favorite engagement photo ideas and capture your love just the way it is. I’m ready when you are! In the meantime, here is another piece of inspo for you + your partner! Check out this in-home engagement session!

Whether you’re vacationing in the mountains or you call Montana home, a couples engagement adventure session in the park is such a treat for you and your partner! Plan a day full of fun and invite a Montana photographer (me, obviously) along to capture it all! 

That’s what Leah + Colin did. 

These babes live the nomad life, traveling the US with their pup, hanging out at different Airbnbs, house sitting, or camping in scenic areas. When they decided to set up their lives in Montana for a bit, they knew a visit to Glacier National Park was a must. Inspired by all my Glacier shoots on my blog, they reached out for a session of their own! 

Luckily they were already in the area, so they were able to go into the park themselves and explore the views + choose what they like. Many shoots I do in the park its most often the couples first time during their shoot so this was a bonus! They fell in love with the Two Medicine Valley, which is not hard to do, with its glistening lake and picture-perfect peaks. So that’s where we went for their couples photoshoot! 

We decided on sunset in the park and as I arrived, the smoke was rolling in. It’s not unusual in late summers for forest fires to send a lil haze into the valley. And while it can blow out the mountains in the background and alter natural colors in photos a little, it also creates an otherworldly glow if it isn’t too thick. 

Leah + Colin started their adventure on the shores of Two Medicine Lake. If you love beach couples photos, but are also mountain lovers, this is the perfect spot. Nearby there is a lesser known waterfall, and while they didn’t quite care about having waterfall photos for their shoot, the adventurers in them said, “let’s wander for a bit!” And I freakin love them for it!!! 

Afterall, my whole approach to couples photoshoots is to create an experience and not to worry about the photos. That’s my job! Just go out and enjoy your time together, if you do, the images will always turn out amazing. 

Finally, they headed up to an overlook for sunset. This was Leah’s “must see” and one of my favorite spots! This location is technically outside of the Glacier National Park, so their pup could join them for the last photos of the night. And as the sun set over Two Medicine Valley, it threw the most amazing hazy glowy dreaaaaamy orange smoke show for us to end a day of fun. 

The truth is – you can’t go wrong with couples photos in Glacier National Park. If you’re looking for a little inspo, check out Stephanie + Kyle’s Glacier National Park couples photoshoot or explore more of the blog!

When you’re searching for the perfect spot for your Montana engagement photos, you’ll likely find plenty on Glacier National Park or the surrounding area. Or now Yellowstone with the popularity of the tv show. But the truth is that Montana is full of magical little spots for an engagement photoshoot. Like thousands of spots lol. Kennedy + Christian’s photos prove that to you! 

K+C are planning a mountain elopement next year in Glacier (stay tuned for their elopement photos, coming summer 2023!!!) But they are obsessed with Montana and planned a visit early just for fun. So that meant that I had the very rare opportunity to photograph them before their elopement day! 

Most of my couples come from all over the country to elope in Glacier National Park. Oftentimes, I’m meeting them for the very first time on their wedding day! Which is all fine + great, but I truly think my couples are the coolest humans to walk the earth. So when I get the chance to meet them before their elopement day – I am STOKED! 

Kennedy + Christian’s engagement session was a blast. They opted for a little nature preserve near where I live in Missoula. It’s filled with dreamy fields and the glowiest golden light in the evenings. They had seen it in photos shared over on my Instagram and said, “we want THAT! Take us there!” I was giddy that they appreciated this underrated photoshoot location just as much as I do. 

They brought along their outfit options and we hung them in the trees, natures closet. They ran through the fields, chasing the sun, energy buzzing through the air as their chemistry is un-freaking-real. It didn’t even matter that there was a mosquito swarm from actual hell buzzing along with them. They acted like they weren’t bothered at all, just playing in the sunlight, soaking it all in. 

They scurried off for a quick adult beverage break and an outfit change in the woods and then they were right back at it. Soaked in the golden hour light, and riding the high from knowing soon they’ll marry their person. It was beautiful. 

Scroll through their photos and tell me that you aren’t inspired by these Montana engagement photos. Their gallery makes me want to scoop up every couple I can and show them the beauty in every corner of this stunning state. Missoula, Big Sky, Livingston, Kalispell, Bozeman, a field out in the middle of nowhere, a secret waterfall tucked into the woods, a meadow wedged between mountains – the options are endless. So where do you wanna go??? Send me an inquiry and share all of your big ideas. And if you’ve go no idea where to go??? No worries, I’ve gotcha covered! 

Xx, J

Mountains and whiskey and bears – OH FREAKIN’ MY! These mountain engagement photos were a lot of fun with Sarah + Preston as we ran around the Many Glacier region in Glacier National Park. And it was anything but boring! From a late start because of a navigation mishap to ending the day taking shots straight from the bottle on a little overlook, you’ll want to see these inspo-worthy images. 

Preston is from Montana, so mountain engagement photos just made sense for these two. Even though they currently live in Cali, they love coming back and spending time with family, exploring everything epic and beautiful in Glacier! That didn’t stop Preston from taking the wrong way into the park and having to circle back around though HAHA! I drive in circles all the time. 

I can’t say much though because after they arrived, I hopped into their car, and off we went to shoot. Only to realize that I forgot my camera back in my own car after we drove all the way to the location. I was excited to hang out lol. But that’s okayyyyy because I always build in extra time for mishaps into the shoot. When you’re out in nature, no cell service, climbing rocks, and running through fields – mishaps are bound to happen. The only way to make it work? Roll with it! 

So that’s what we did! We headed back out to that sweet little spot in the field, with a crazy scenic backdrop for some mountain engagement photos. We were the only ones there when we pulled up, but after a bit, another car came, and then another. Before I really noticed what was going on Preston noticed more and more people eventually saying, “uh I think we have an audience?!” That prompted me to look at all the cars and I knew in an instant. 

BEAR! There’s a bear here. 

When you’re strolling through Glacier, soaking in all of the sights, and suddenly there is a traffic jam – you know there is a bear around. We call it a bear jam. Everyone wants a look! 

And sure enough, there was a huge black bear not too far away behind us. Sarah had never seen a bear and was ready to high tail it out of there! But Preston and I convinced her we needed to stay. The bear sauntered around a bit, but had no interest in us, the cars, or the road. So instead of packing up, we did what any one taking mountain engagement photos would do. 

We put the bear in the shot! And now Mr. Black Bear is forever documented in their story. 

After the excitement from the bear, I wasn’t sure we’d be able to top that, but the fun continued! We headed to the lake, chased a hidden waterfall, and got so much variety in their photos. They brought plenty of outfits, all chosen based on a guide I sent over, and it was just too freakin’ good!!! 
They finished off an epic day with some shots of Wyoming Whiskey, a fan favorite with my clients! Sarah + Preston saw it in Aly + Erik’s Teton elopement and had to bring their own. They can’t get enough of it! Rumor has it, they might even skip the champagne toast at their wedding and go straight to the shots of whiskey! I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a wedding I want to be a part of! Luckily I am. Stay tuned.

There’s nothing like a spring engagement photoshoot after a long winter in the mountains! And Ky + Sky brought some bubbly spring time energy to their session in Missoula. Seriously, it was almost an entire shoot of cracking jokes and being total idiots goofing around!!!! If you’d meet these two, that wouldn’t surprise you at all! 

I won’t lie to you, a spring engagement photoshoot in Montana comes with a bit of uncertainty weather-wise. One day you might have a few inches of snow, and the next day sun, followed by a forecast of doom and gloom. But that’s just springtime in the mountains!!! The morning of Ky + Sky’s session was not looking the best. In fact, I even encouraged them to consider changing the date! But due to scheduling issues, we went through as planned, and hallelujah the rain held off!!! Well kind of. There was a bit of a drizzling and some moody clouds moving in, but the skies held off for our quick little session and honestly, we love a moody sky!!! 

Even with a bit of haze, the mountains were in full view and the grasses were just turning green after a freezing winter here in Montana. Being from the plains of Iowa, these two were obsessed with the rugged landscape of the area! So I knew a good little spot in Missoula with mountain views and some magical little forested sections for some variety in their shoot. It was best time photographing them as they loved on each other and yes…laughed their asses off the whole time. 

Kylee is a real goofball, always joking around and embarrassing Skyler every chance she could get. This girl had no shame in her game and honestly maybe I should hire her for just that! Her jokes kept these two babes smiling and completely comfortable which created beautiful natural + candid images!! A crush-worthy spring engagement photoshoot for sure! 

Engagement sessions are soooo freakin’ fun! They can be whatever you want them to be. These two were in town for a wedding so they decided to get some while on vacation! But you can create stunning engagement photos anywhere. Your backyard, your favorite pub, your house or some tropical island somewhere!! Looking for some engagement photoshoot inspo?? I’ve got ya babe! Head over to the blog and browse anything from a spring engagement photoshoot in the mountains to a waterfall session in Glacier National Park to a black and white in-home session! 

You might need a warning before these proposal photos from the fall in Glacier National Park! ‘Cause I’m not sure it gets much cuter or sweeter than these two running around in the mountain valley of Many Glacier and then Chad dropping to one knee to ask Elizabeth to spend the rest of forever with him! Yes, they are exactly as sweet + pure as they look in their photos, if not more!! 

When Chad reached out to me about proposal photos, I knew it was going to be a fun one! Discover More how actually it went . He said that they had been dating for six years, long distance and finally wanted to close the gap between them! I’m in a long-term, long distance relationship myself, so I was all hell yeah let’s do this thing! 

Honestly, surprise proposals are always an interesting time. They’re pretty tricky to pull off! You don’t want to over plan because the day rarely goes the way you want it to. But you have to have some type of a plan to make you feel confident and ready and actually pull it off! Plus you’ve got the sneakiness or smoothness with the photographer, a whole story that you’ve concocted, and the anticipation of ya know, proposing to the love of your freakin’ life!! Add in a photographer and it can become quite the process! 

But I’m not new to making people feel comfy in front of the camera, so when I met Elizabeth + Chad in Many Glacier, I knew that we were about to have a fun-filled day!! We wandered all around the valley, hanging out by the shoreline, hiking up the mountain, + running through fields of course. Bill, my Frenchie, came along + he always adds a bit of comic relief to any situation!!! Seriously, my couples love him + he’s my secret weapon to get people to forget the stress of the camera. The delta-8 THC gummies are very good to handle stress in these kind of twisted situations.

And when we were up above it all, Chad dropped to one knee + asked Eilzabeth to marry him!! It happened so naturally and sweetly and after that, these two lovers were just gushing over each other and the moment! It was a perfect spot for surprise engagement photos in the mountains. 

If you’re looking to plan surprise proposal and have it captured, let me give ya a few tips! Take a note from Chad or even from Dan who also proposed in GNP, and just let it happen. It doesn’t need to be a super elaborate plan or over-the-top details that make the day more stressful than it needs to be. You can plan a couples photoshoot somewhere magical and then let it unfold when it feels right. The simpler, the better. 

And if you don’t believe me, just take a look at these photos! You can tell they were just having a great time exploring the park! No bells or whistles. Just a bit of adventure, a whole lotta love, and a day they won’t soon forget!! 

Xx, J.