pacific northwest alpine lake engagement hike | jason & kate

Hiking in the Northwest has been a big part of my time that I've spent here. I love being outdoors and getting in the mountains is my number one priority when I'm not working. That being said, I haven't really had that much time to hike these days. Wedding season beginning and planning for our own wedding has kept us super busy (shocking, right?). So why not combine work and play? David and I have been dreaming up the idea of taking a couple up to one of our favorite little lakes off of Stevens Pass before but the 8-mile out-and-back up a steep hill while also trying to look good for photos is an obvious barrier. Jason and Kate booked us to shoot their wedding this August and recently moved back to the Northwest. When we finally had the pleasure of meeting in person, we discussed ideas for their engagement session. When Kate mentioned that they really like hiking, I starting feeling out the idea of doing a "longer" hike with them and she suggested one of her favorite destinations in the Alpine Lake Wilderness, Lake Serene. David and I didn't want to pass up a day in the mountains so of course we were on board!

Let me just start by saying that a shoot like this is no small task to coordinate. If you want to look great while actually taking photos in these locations, getting sweaty is not ideal. Luckily Kate's brother is training for Mt. Rainer and volunteered to tag along and carry all of the outfits that Jason and Kate wanted to wear up to the lake and also food and water. We were able to hike at a leisurely pace, taking photos at different stops along the way. This hike was beautiful. A jaw-dropping waterfall was followed by dense woods and steep switchbacks that led to the little turquoise gem that is Lake Serene. The lake is situated directly below Mt. Index which towers above its sparkling waters. This was truly a stunning location for an equally amazing couple. The day was filled with lots of laughter, some sore legs, great conversation, and the occasional rock-hopping in stilettos. It was a dream photo session made into a reality and I am so excited to share these images! Thanks to Jason and Kate for being amazing the entire time. We can't wait to capture your love on the big day later this summer!

seattle senior photographer | kiliai

I'm heading out to Portland to shoot a wedding this weekend but couldn't help but want to share this senior session with Kiliai before I left! Kiliai is one of our senior ambassadors of the Class of 2016. I actually did photos of his sister last year so I was excited when he reached out to me. Their family is wonderful! A soccer player and a wrestler, this smart young man wants to attend University of Washington or UCLA after he graduates. I had a great time working with him for his senior portraits and I wish him all the best for his senior year!

seattle senior photographer | taylor

Whew! I've definitely been in slack mode when it comes to blogging. Perhaps it's because we have been so busy with shoots, birthdays, holidays and wedding planning. It's been pretty hectic but having the job that I do makes it so worth it! Spring has been gorgeous in Seattle this year. While we have had the occasional day of 50-degree drizzle, most of our afternoons have been filled with warmer weather and golden sunlight. I've been scheduling most of my sessions later this year and it's definitely paid off. For example, Taylor. Taylor is graduating in a few short weeks and is excited to be attending the Montana State University this fall. Her mom had purchased her senior session through an auction that I donated to in the fall. I love being able to use my photography skills to help out charities, schools, and other philanthropic needs. Taylor is such an easy going, happy young woman and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet her. We wish Taylor the best of luck with the rest of her senior year and future endeavors!

personal | splitboard adventures at paradise on mt rainier

I know, I know. Winter is over. On sunny days like this though, I can't seem to stop thinking about winter adventures. See for me, summer is my working season. I can barely find the time to leave my computer screen, let alone go on a hike or make it to a happy hour with friends. With that season rapidly approaching, I've been trying to savor every last bit of free time I have. Taking a walk through the neighborhood, going on a weekend bike ride, whatever I can fit in before my time is taken up by editing, shooting, traveling, answering emails, uploading photos, writing blogs, connecting with vendors, and all of the other wonderful things that my job entails. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but like everyone else, I do savor my days off.

This winter, in fact, was terrible. And winter the time that I usually look forward to the most. It's pretty depressing to see snow levels the way they are. Cherry blossoms were blooming in February, it was raining instead of snowing in January at Crystal Mountain, and I can only imagine how it's going to impact the wildfires this summer. That being said, I do think it's funny when people look at me cross-eyed after I tell them I went snowboarding in April. Yes, it was bad, but it doesn't mean there was NO snow! When you spent five years of your life living in a ski town, sliding down snow simply becomes a way of life. With ski resorts having sub-par conditions for most of the end of winter this year, I found that it was absolutely necessary to go hunting for powder in other ways. Enter Jeff and Kelly Steele. Basically I met these two through Instagram. Sounds crazy, but a mutual friend commented on some of Jeff's photos and I realized he had a wife that was a splitboarder. I've been desperately hoping to find a lady friend to splitboard with in Washington. Not that I don't like going with only boys, or girl skiers for that matter, it's just different to have another female around that is doing the same thing you are. I recognized Jeff on a particularly poor weather day up at Crystal this year. We were all lamenting the bad weather over beers at the Snorting Elk. It seemed like the best way to spend the day at the time. We got to talking and planned our first trip up to Paradise on Mt. Rainier.

Our first experience was probably one of the best days I've EVER had snowboarding. We only took a couple of lines but the powder was totally incredible that day. It had snowed about a foot and the trees looked like tasty marshmallow-ice cream cones against a brilliant blue sky. Really I couldn't think of anywhere else I wanted to be at the time! The next time we went up was just a few weeks ago in April. Visibility was nearly nothing with the fog and clouds as we were skinning up. Barely being able to see, we decided to stay low on the mountain and dropped into a skinny little chute that Jeff and Kelly named "Happy New Year Chute". All of us were completely shocked that the snow was so good. And it was April! After that it warmed up into some pretty sticky snow but the companionship and the feeling of being out in the mountains made for a pretty amazing day. 

I have to say, I'm pretty stoked to have met these two. I love having Kelly around to tell me "You can do it!" as I'm struggling up a slippery kick-turn or to high five after an amazing line. There's just something different about the energy that girls bring to the table when they snowboard together and I have really missed is since leaving Jackson Hole. I can't wait to see what other memories and stories we can all create together, no matter what Mother Nature decides to hand us next season. Cheers to wonderful days in the mountains.