When plans shift and the day still turns out better than expected
The original plan was Artist Point. It’s one of those places that feels like a postcard, towering peaks, epic views, the kind of scene you can already picture framed on a wall. But Washington weather is always a bit of a gamble, and when the morning rolled around, so did the fog. Thick, heavy, not going anywhere. So we pivoted.
With the kind of flexibility that only true outdoor lovers have, Kassie and Derek were totally game for a change of plans. We rerouted to Gold Creek Pond, a favorite backup spot tucked into the North Cascades with mountain views, alpine water, and just enough trail to explore without it feeling overdone. It ended up being the perfect fit.
Kassie and Derek are recent transplants to Seattle, originally from the Midwest. During our walk around the lake, they told me about their wedding plans for the following year—heading back home to celebrate with friends and family. But for their engagement session, they wanted something that reflected their new life out here. They’ve fully embraced the outdoors hiking, camping, exploring all the incredible scenery the PNW has to offer and wanted that love for nature to be a central part of this chapter.
We didn’t rush. We wandered slowly, stopping when the light caught the water just right or when one of them instinctively reached for the other’s hand. Nothing posed, nothing stiff. Just the two of them moving through a place that already feels like home.
Kassie had mentioned before the session that Derek might be a little shy in front of the camera, but honestly, you’d never know. When you take the pressure off and focus on connection instead of perfection, that hesitation fades. He was relaxed, laughing with Kassie, pointing out the views, just being fully in the moment. That’s what makes photos feel real, not whether someone’s used to having their picture taken, but whether they feel like themselves.
They kept things simple with their outfits, casual layers, boots that could handle the trail, nothing overthought or styled for the sake of it. And that choice made the whole session feel even more genuine. They weren’t trying to fit into the scenery, they were already a part of it.
Sessions like this are a reminder that flexibility can lead to something even better than the original plan. We might’ve missed the mountaintop, but we got still water, soft skies, and a story that felt a little more like real life: not perfect, but exactly right.
