7 Locations for Engagement Photos in Seattle and Nearby
Choosing a location is one of the first steps in planning your engagement session. Start with the atmosphere you’re drawn to: an open beach, a city backdrop, greenery, or somewhere connected to your story.
Here are seven places to consider in and around Seattle. Before settling on a location, we’ll discuss the light, walking distance, weather, and any photography requirements.
1. Discovery Park
Discovery Park offers a mix of meadows, wooded trails, and views over Puget Sound. It’s an option for couples who want a natural setting and space for photographs that include the landscape.
Rather than trying to cover the whole park, we can choose one area and leave time to enjoy it. If you’re interested in the beach, let’s discuss access and walking time when planning your session.
2. Pike Place Market
For a city feel, consider the streets around Pike Place Market. Signs, storefronts, and the surrounding architecture can bring color and movement into your photographs.
This setting suits couples who enjoy an urban atmosphere and don’t mind other people nearby. We’ll plan our route around the activity of the market and check any permissions needed for the specific spaces we want to use.
3. Kerry Park
If the Seattle skyline is part of your story, Kerry Park is worth considering. The city becomes a recognizable backdrop while the photographs remain focused on you.
For this kind of setting, think about how comfortable you feel being photographed around other visitors. We can discuss timing and how this stop fits into your session.
4. Washington Park Arboretum
The Arboretum is an option for couples drawn to trees, greenery, and seasonal color. A simple walk can give us opportunities for both portraits and photographs of you moving together.
We’ll choose a manageable area based on the season and the mood you want, rather than spending the session moving between distant spots.
5. Snoqualmie Falls
Located outside Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls offers a dramatic landscape for couples who want the setting to play a bigger role in their photographs.
We’ll plan around the designated viewing areas, access, and conditions. Expect a shared public space rather than a secluded waterfall location.
6. Golden Gardens Park
Golden Gardens is an option for a beach session with open skies and a relaxed atmosphere. Walking along the shore gives you something natural to do together, with room to pause for closer portraits.
Bring a layer for the waterfront and shoes you’re comfortable wearing on sand.
7. Ballard Locks and the Botanical Garden
The Ballard Locks area combines waterside scenery with the greenery of the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden. It’s worth considering if you like a mix of plants, paths, and a distinctly Seattle setting.
We’ll check access and photography requirements before choosing the exact spots for your session.
What if you’re planning a surprise proposal?
A proposal needs a little more coordination than an engagement session. Before choosing the location, we’ll discuss where you’ll stand, how I’ll recognize you, and how we’ll communicate without giving away the surprise.
The right spot should work for the moment itself as well as the photographs afterward.
Let’s choose your location
You don’t need to arrive with everything decided. Tell me what you’re drawn to and whether there’s a place that means something to you. We can use that as our starting point.
Get in touch to plan your proposal or engagement session in Seattle, Bellevue, or the surrounding area.
