The 14 Best Locations for Seattle Engagement Sessions
Engaged Seattle couples, I’m just gonna say it: we are absolutely SPOILED with options for romantic locations in this beautiful city of ours. Much like my own love story, I’m sure so many of you have memories growing your love in many of these unique spaces and neighborhoods that this city has to offer. Whether you’re a lifelong Seattle-ite or have recently started to call this city your home, there’s no doubt that it’s a grand place to fall in love, to get married, and to take the engagement photos that will line the walls of your home for years to come. I’ve compiled 14 of my favorite Seattle engagement session locations that make for the perfect photo backdrop, from the iconic storefronts of Pike Place Market all the way to the coastal beauty of Alki Beach. Now, it’s simply up to you to decide which one fits your vision—and I’ll be more than happy to help you along the way!
13 Best Seattle Engagement Photo Locations
1. Downtown waterfront
Nothing says Seattle more than the downtown waterfront does, with its collection of vibrant stores, scenic overlooks, and picturesque views of Puget Sound. Each of the piers that line the waterfront offers its own special charm; some featuring curious little shops selling all sorts of unique trinkets, others with top-rated restaurants serving the best seafood in the city. Strolling along the waterfront is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours in the city for your engagement shoot, whether you check out some of the many shops along the way, head into the aquarium for some underwater-themed photos, take a ride on the Great Wheel, or make the climb up to Pike Place.
The waterfront has been made even more accessible as of late, with a brand new park offering 20 acres of area to enjoy—the perfect way to admire the sights of Puget Sound and the many snow-capped peaks in the distance. The Waterfront Park offers plenty of benches as well as space to walk around, lush native foliage, even a playground. Such an exciting addition to the waterfront that makes the 360-degree views all the more accessible!
Hannah and Gunnar opted for a picturesque waterfront engagement session, dressing up in bridal-inspired attire to watch the sun set over the Great Wheel—take a peek here.
2. Historic storefronts
If you’ve ever spent any time wandering the streets of downtown Seattle, then you’ll know there are one-of-a-kind storefronts galore. Between the iconic alleys of Pike Place (which we’ll talk more about next), the shops that line Pine Street, and all the rest of the streets that make up downtown Seattle, you’ll find no shortage of unique storefronts just begging you to go inside. Not only does this make for a fun, memorable experience to have during your engagement session—many of these storefronts also provide picturesque backdrops for your engagement photos! From vintage soda fountains to French cafes, speakeasy-inspired lounges to charming map stores, Seattle’s historic storefronts make for lovely spots to stop during your engagement session in the city.
3. Pike Place Market
Speaking of iconic alleys and historic storefronts, Pike Place is a must-visit if you’re heading downtown for your Seattle engagement session—especially if you’re coming in from out of town and want to do all the fun touristy things. The market is an incredibly vibrant, eclectic place to explore, with such wonderful energy from both tourists and locals alike; everyone simply enjoying the independent businesses and artisan shops that have made their home in the tiny little alleys, halls, and streets of Pike Place. Fair warning: it’s nearly impossible to leave the market empty-handed, so be sure to bring a tote bag along to your session for those yummy local ingredients, fresh fruit, artisan foods, and gorgeous flowers you may not be able to resist 😉
It probably goes without saying that Pike Place will likely be busy as it always is during your engagement session, so it’s not the place to go if you’re looking for privacy—but the endless crowds and community of shoppers is truly the heart of the market, and what makes the energy so vibrant, so appealing, and so magnetic. It’s an experience like no other, and will really give you a beautiful taste of all the magic that Seattle has to offer. Plus, who wouldn’t want that classic neon sign in the background of at least a few of their engagement photos? ✨
4. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
As an artist and creative who is constantly inspired by fashion, design, media, and pop culture, MoPOP is one of my favorite places in the city. Not only is the inside of the museum incredibly fascinating with all of its pop culture artifacts, the architecture and design from the outside is absolutely iconic. Inspired by the energy, movement, and fluidity of art, the MoPOP building is made up of over 20,000 stainless steel and aluminum shingles that feature a variety of textures, colors, and unique design elements. The way the changing light affects these textures and colors is striking and SO much fun to play around with as a photographer. If you’re looking for somewhere in Seattle that’ll give you a totally one-of-a-kind engagement photo backdrop, this is it.
Want to see more of the magic of MoPOP? Take a look at Dana’s fashion-forward brand shoot, part of which took place outside the iconic walls of the museum.
5. Ballard
Known for its hip atmosphere, trendy bars and coffee shops, and indie shops, this historic neighborhood in northwest Seattle has so much to offer to couples looking for a romantic engagement session. For couples envisioning a session surrounded by picturesque waterfront views and sandy shores, Golden Gardens Park provides the perfect spot to admire the mountains out in the distance. Maybe you’d prefer to explore the heart of the neighborhood and step into a restaurant that calls to you, or perhaps your dream engagement session would be spent enjoying a tasting at a local brewery. Ballard is also famous for its large marinas, fisheries, and exquisite seafood!
6. Volunteer Park
Love LOVE me some engagement photos at Volunteer Park, especially if it involves a little venture into the historic conservatory. What could be better than escaping the cool, cloudy weather of Seattle and enjoying the warmth of a Victorian-style greenhouse, filled to the brim with an abundance of lush, rich greenery? Both the gardens surrounding the greenhouse and the collection of foliage inside make for absolutely enchanting locations for engagement photos, especially in the spring, summer, and fall months when the park as a whole is at its most vibrant. I once had a couple bring the coziest little picnic to enjoy as they sat in the park for their engagement session, complete with books, flowers, games, treats. . . the works. Truly the perfect way to spend a sunny, summer afternoon in Seattle. See their gallery here!
Craving a little more inspo? Feel free to peruse through Hannah and Robert’s Whimsical Garden Engagement at Volunteer Park Conservatory for more garden magic.
7. Carkeek Park
If your vision for your Seattle engagement session includes stunning waterfront + mountain views, long stretches of sandy shoreline, and an abundance of lush forests, then Carkeek Park is the place for you. Located in the Broadview neighborhood of Seattle, this park stretches across over 200 acres of scenic forests, meadows, creeks, beaches, and wetlands, offering a variety of picnic areas and hiking trails to enjoy. The views of the Olympics in the distance, combined with the spectacular Puget Sound scenery and the forest-lined shores, make this a quintessential Pacific Northwest experience that we’re lucky to have such easy access to from the city.
8. Discovery Park
Discovery Park is without a doubt one of the most popular photo locations in the city—and for good reason. With 500 scenic acres full of extensive trails, grassy meadows, and sandy shores covered in driftwood, it’s an icon of Seattle that cannot be skipped over when considering locations for your engagement photos. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend their session strolling hand-in-hand through gorgeous forests, across sandy dunes, and along paved trails that offer magnificent views of Puget Sound, the Cascades, and the Olympics? If you’ve ever seen photos of Discovery Park, then you’ve likely seen the lighthouse—a very recognizable landmark of the area. This park is undoubtedly one of the most scenic and breathtaking escapes you can get in Seattle, just 5 or so miles from downtown.
9. Alki Beach
This scenic stretch along Elliott Bay in West Seattle offers breathtaking views of the water, the city skyline, and the surrounding mountains. Alki Beach is a dreamy spot for engagement photos, not just because of the gorgeous backdrop but also the lively atmosphere! The area is dotted with cozy cafes, charming restaurants, and unique shops, making it perfect for starting your session with a delicious treat or a warm drink. From there, you can wander down to the beach, enjoy the water views, and maybe even stroll the paved path to wrap up the day. Plus, being just a short drive from downtown (traffic willing), it’s easy to turn your session into a full-day adventure, ending with dinner or drinks in the city!
Alki looks just as beautiful in the rain as it does in the sunshine—and Chelsea + Dayton’s Stormy Engagement Session was proof of that.
10. Pioneer Square
For couples who are craving a session in the heart of the city, but may want to stray just a little further away from the downtown waterfront, look no further than the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood. Cobblestone alleyways, endless strands of twinkle lights, eclectic shops, unique doorways, tiny little city parks, cozy coffee shops, and unique local eateries—this area has it all. The 1800s Romanesque Revival buildings provide all sorts of gorgeous architecture to explore and take advantage of during your engagement session, and the many food options are perfect for a quick mid-session bite to eat. You’ve also got super easy access to many other Seattle hotspots from Pioneer Square, including Smith Tower (one of my faves for city elopements), Pike Place, stadiums, and more!
Michelle and Kevin had a lovely time wandering through the adorable streets of Pioneer Square for their Seattle elopement, the rain clearing out just in time for our outdoor portraits. See their special day here!
11. Lake Union
Lake Union is a dream come true for couples who love being by the water (or on it!), with all sorts of picturesque spots to enjoy around the shores of the lake. One of my past couples, Kate and Josh, actually booked a ride through Seattle Boat Company for their engagement session—what a BLAST. Their session was spent lounging around on the boat as they sipped on champagne, taking time to stroll along the docks for picturesque lakeside photos, and embracing all the cozy, rainy Seattle vibes. Was so, so fun capturing these two in their element, simply enjoying an activity that they’d normally plan for a romantic date.
Extra fun idea I just had: For those of you who are seeking a bit more of a thrill, consider booking a seaplane ride over Lake Union. What an unforgettable engagement experience that would be, getting a glorious birds-eye view of this stunning lake and all of the mountains that surround Seattle!
12. Scenic rooftops
I will always say yes to a rooftop engagement session in Seattle, because who doesn’t love standing atop a building in the city as the sun sets; as the soft glow of golden hour begins to cast on all the buildings around you? I had SUCH a great time hanging out with Jamison and Charlie for their rooftop session, where we started the evening up on a scenic rooftop and ended it down on the busy evening streets of the city. Rooftops are a great addition to any downtown engagements, as they don’t require any additional travel/transportation to a separate location, but add a wonderful variety to your gallery. I’ll be more than happy to let you in on some of my favorites—so don’t worry about having to find any on your own!
13. Coffee shops
I know I said earlier that nothing screams Seattle more than the waterfront, but I may have gotten a little ahead of myself—I forgot about coffee shops. We all know that Seattle is renowned for its coffee roasting and seemingly never ending amount of coffee shops, as well as the fact that it’s home to the original Starbucks. . . but coffee shops also just make for a fabulous place to take engagement photos! Picture you and your love escaping the chilly autumn air inside of a cozy coffee shop in Pioneer Square, enjoying steaming cups of coffee and light, flaky croissants as if you were simply on a date—that’s exactly what Pawehi and Nate did for their session. Or maybe you want to grab an ice cold drink to sip on as you walk around the city in the summer heat, and you find an eclectic cafe to stop at in a charming neighborhood. Either way, coffee shops offer the perfect setting for romantic, relaxed, and natural engagement photos!
14. Bars & restaurants
Along those same lines, I also looove when couples find a fun bar or restaurant to spend their session at. Maybe it’s a restaurant the two of you love to visit together, or the place where you had your first date; maybe it’s an arcade full of neon colors, vintage games, and endless taps of local beer where you love to spend your Friday nights (like Janie + RJ’s arcade engagement session in Fremont). Whether you dress up and head out to an elegant restaurant for a classy night out, or you feel more at home keeping it casual at an old-fashioned diner, there are plenty of eateries in Seattle that offer unique backdrops and one-of-a-kind atmospheres for engagement photos.
Seattle Engagement Photographer
Friend, I am SO ready to help you tell your Seattle love story, and find the perfect Seattle engagement photo location for you. Get ready to pop a bottle of champagne, be present with each other, and spend some time exploring all the beauty that this city has to offer—I’ll be there to capture you every step of the way. Reach out now so we can start dreaming up what your ideal session looks + feels like in this grand, beautiful city!
For more Seattle elopement and wedding planning advice, browse through the guides below:
