A relaxed, romantic engagement session with views of Mount Si

If you’re drawn to Elk Fields engagement photos in Snoqualmie that feel natural, grounded, and rooted in real connection, Abby and Henry’s session is a beautiful example of just how that can look. Wide open fields, soft grasses, and Mount Si rising quietly in the distance, showcasing the landscape in that unmistakable Snoqualmie Valley way… without the chaos of heavily trafficked trails or crowded viewpoints.

For their engagement session, it was really important for both them and myself that their photos weren’t about performing for the camera. Instead we wanted to focus on slowing down, them being together, and letting moments unfold naturally–with thoughtful guidance when needed and space when necessary. This is my same warm and guided approach I bring to every single wedding day.

Meet Abby & Henry

Cue Abby and Henry–this adorable couple met on Hinge, and after their first date, both left knowing they’d found someone special! Early on in their relationship, their love was shaped by nearly eight months of long distance while Henry worked at Yellowstone National Park. Learning how to stay connected through travel, phone calls, and intentional time together however possible.

What stands out most about Abby and Henry is the way they care for one another in small, everyday ways. Abby is the first to admit that she doesn’t cook–so Henry takes that role on, always making sure she’s taken care of first. His love for her is truly instinctive, quiet, and steady. He even enlisted Abby’s sister’s help to design her engagement ring, adding another layer of meaning to something they’ll carry with them forever. When the time came, Henry proposed on a rainy fall morning in their apartment, just the two of them (and of course, their sweetie golden retriever Frankie!!). Everything was quiet and intimate. No audience, but exactly just right for them.

Why Elk Fields Is Ideal for Snoqualmie Engagement Photos

The Elk Fields offer something that many couples don’t realize they need until they experience it: space. Space to move, to pause, to talk, and to soak up the moment without feeling overly rushed or watched by a nearby audience.

With Mount Si quietly anchoring the landscape, the setting feels grounded and calm, never distracting from what actually matters (hint hint: it’s each other). This kind of environment allows sessions to feel less like a photoshoot and more like time spent together as a couple.

Why Elk Fields works so well for engagement sessions:

• Open fields that encourage natural movement
• Mountain views without hiking or heavy crowds
• Soft, neutral tones that photograph beautifully year-round
• Easy access for outfit changes and dogs

Locations like this create room for real moments… and that’s definitely where the best images live.

What They Wore (and Why It Matters)

Abby wore a light blue sweater paired with a white cotton long skirt and tall brown boots. Soft, romantic, and easy to move in. Henry wore dark brown chino pants with a waxed work jacket and boots, which felt grounded and timeless.

Abby and Henry chose outfits that supported both movement and comfort. Something I alwaaays encourage, whether we’re planning an engagement session, anniversary, or a wedding day.

What made their outfits work so well:

• Comfortable silhouettes that allowed them to walk and move naturally
• Colors that complemented the landscape without blending in
• Textures that added depth without drawing attention away

When you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, that shows in your photos and it also allows you to stay present with each other instead of thinking about the camera. That’s true for both engagement sessions and on your wedding day.

How I Guided This Session (and Why It Translates to Weddings!)

Instead of posing Abby and Henry, I guided them with simple prompts. Crazy, right? Giving loose prompts like walking together, stopping to talk, pulling each other close, playing together, moving when something felt good and letting go whenever it didn’t.

My role is never to control the moment, but to notice it. To step in when direction is helpful, and step back when something meaningful is starting to unfold on it’s own. That balance is what creates images that feel honest instead of overproduced and cookie cutter.

Abby and Henry from day one trusted the process. They stayed connected to each other, not the camera—and that trust is what allowed their photos to feel relaxed, warm, and true to their relationship.

This is the same approach I bring to wedding days: calm guidance, awareness of energy, and an emphasis on protecting real moments as they happen. This is the key to getting those candid feeling, natural images that feel lived-in and timeless.

The Details That Made Their Engagement Photos Feel Like Them

Abby and Henry move together effortlessly, that was no secret. BUT, they are theee most confident “dippers” I’ve ever photographed. Seriously, their aisle dip is already top tier quality in the making.

Movement like this is something I always intentionally weave into sessions because the loose direction helps couples relax and stay connected. Walking, laughing, dipping, pulling each other close for a kiss… those moments translate into images that feel alive.

Their Romantic Garden Party Wedding Vision (and Why It Matters Here)

Abby and Henry are planning an elevated, eclectic garden party wedding that feels warm, colorful, romantic, and full of life. When Abby shared what she wanted most from her photos, she talked about documenting the emotion, honesty, and moments that don’t feel overly polished.

That same vision guided how we approached their engagement session. We focused on connection over perfection, presence over posing. Gentle, creative direction to bring forward the genuine emotion between them.

Your engagement session isn’t just about photos, it’s realistically a preview of how your wedding day will be documented, and how it will feel to be photographed by me. As the person you will be around almost as much as your partner on your wedding day, this is an important piece to creating a symbiotic collaborative partnership to capturing the photographs you’ll cherish forever.

Why Abby & Henry Chose Me

Upon inquiry, Abby shared that she was drawn to the candid, in-the-moment feel of my work, along with the warmth and subtle film-inspired quality. More than anything, she wanted photos that felt real.

That trust—to let moments unfold naturally—is something I carry with me into every wedding day. I take that trust and turn it into creating space for couples to be fully present, knowing they don’t need to perform or worry about how things look. Giving them the freedom to just be during their celebration.

Planning Your Own Elk Fields Engagement Session in Snoqualmie

If you’re considering Elk Fields engagement photos in Snoqualmie, here are a few things that help sessions feel relaxed and meaningful:

• Choose locations with room to move and breathe
• Wear outfits you can walk, sit, and move in comfortably
• Schedule close to golden hour for soft, flattering light
• Focus on being together, create a date night atmosphere
• Trust the process, your photographer, and let moments unfold

If you’re looking for engagement photos and wedding photography that feel calm, connected, and deeply personal, I’d love to help you plan something that reflects that. Just reach out to me here to connect.

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