Shalynn + Yvonne's Intimate PNW Elopement - Packwood, WA | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Step 1: Move to the PNW

Step 2: Meet the love of your life

Step 3: Plan an Intimate PNW elopement at Mt. Rainier with only your closest friends and family, an awesome wedding planner (Erica from @thegreatestadventurewed of course) and an awesome photographer (hey that’s me! I’m fun and not nerdy at all, I swear hahah!)

That’s exactly what Shalynn + Yvonne did! Wellllll, minus the Mt. Rainier part. The October weather in Washington State is a little hard to predict and we happened to get one of those super rainy and foggy days where we couldn’t see the mountain. Don’t panic though guys, these lovely ladies will still get their dream photos. We’ll be heading up to Mt. Rainier for some beautiful follow up portraits next summer.

That all being said, I can’t even put in words what an amazing experience Shalynn + Yvonne’s magical little elopement was. They were surrounded by their closest friends and family and I was blown away at how kind, compassionate, funny and supportive they all were.

Intimate elopements have very quickly become some of my favorite events to capture. If you are considering an elopement give me a call and let’s make it happen!

Venue: Harder’s Cabin - Packwood, WA

Wedding Planner/Florist/Decor - Erica from The Greatest Adventure, Weddings + Elopements

Hair/Makeup Artist: Crystal from Opal Artistry Seattle

^^^Check these ladies out, they did such a great job and they were fun to work with!

Do you want memorable images of you and your love? What’s holding you back? Call me, let’s sit down for chips and salsa and chat about your ideal session.

XOXO,

Sarah

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Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful.

See More Love Stories

Alicia + Brock's Rattlesnake Lake Couples Session | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Adventure! One of my favorite type of sessions to capture is an adventure session. An adventure session is where we pick a location that is amazing, epic, gorgeous, breathe taking, memorable or all of the above and put you in it. This type of session is great to capture a location that has fond memories or just to capture the PNW in general. Most types of session can be done as an adventure session, which is a great alternative to session at a local park or urban setting.

We chose to do Alicia + Brock's adventurous couples session at Rattlesnake Lake in North Bend. It had been a while since I had shot there so I was pretty excited. We got a beautiful day that was warm and sunny so we shot in the evening and utilized the beautiful soft light of golden hour.

Alicia is such a sweet person, so positive and happy. She was constantly laughing and smiling, which is contagious! Brock is the strong and silent type, his serious face is pensive and you can just tell he is taking everything in. Both Alicia + Brock are artists and are so expressive in their own ways. Their personalities compliment each other and aren't unlike the Chinese Yin + Yang principles that represent the universe. 

Alicia + Brock even got SUPER brave at the end of our session and climbed into the chilly lake for some super sexy couples photos. I guess I can't say much since I shot from a dry and warm rock a few steps from shore but in my opinion it was totally worth braving the cold water for these fun and playful photos! HAHA!

This blog really makes me realize how much I love doing adventure sessions! So, stay tuned for a blog on Adventure Portrait Sessions coming soon...!!

Also, check out the amazing necklace Alicia is wearing. It has the prettiest little moonstone hanging from the moon. It was the perfect accessory for her low-v cut dresses.

Moon + Moonstone Necklace: Ethereal Earth Gifts

Dresses: Forever 21

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Brenda + Sal's Cannon Beach Wedding Portraits | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Let's talk about Brenda + Sal's STUNNING bridal session at Cannon Beach! That light! That view! That bouquet! That gorgeous couple! This session is truly a PNW Wedding Photographer's dream come true!

Brenda + Sal have been married for a few years but planned this gorgeous bridal session in their last days in the PNW before moving home to Arizona. Such a great reminder of their time in the Pacific Northwest and a great little weekend adventure for their little family of three!

If these amazing pictures don't speak for themselves and you are wondering why you should do a bridal session, check out  8 Reasons You Should Plan a Bridal Session!

Flower: A Moment in Time Floral Design

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Jade Bridal Session | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Bride/HMUA: Jade Snider

Floral Art: A Moment in Time Floral Time

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Astelle + Allan's Mt. Rainier Elopement | A Little on Love | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Being in love is like existing in another universe.

Being in love is like flying without a parachute nor a single though of falling.

Being in love is letting your heart lead and your body and mind following blissfully.

There are many depictions of love all around us. Songs, poems, books, plays, pieces of art.... love is one constant that has run parallel with us throughout our existence. In many ways it IS our existence. We live for it, fight for it, spend our life searching for it. It makes us strong yet also weak. We are willing to die for it, we sometimes die without it. Love is a basic need; along with food, shelter and air it keeps our hearts beating and blood flowing. Love fills our souls and egos with every breath we take and washes away hate and despair with every breath we exhale. Love is powerful and for all these reasons and more I LOVE love.

My most favorite thing to capture is the connection between lovers. Composition, lighting and all other elements of a good photograph can all be present but without that connection the photograph is flat and unfeeling. Love gives each photos depth and soul. Astelle and Alan demonstrate this love and connection so classically. I must say, these are some of the all time favorite moments I've captured. 

A little shout out to the people behind the scenes. If you are in need of vendors for your wedding or elopement check them out!

Hair and Makeup by the lovely Bethany Yackel Beauty

STUNNING bouquet by A Moment in Time Floral Design

Videographer: Brooke Griffin of Griffin Studios LLC

Love, along with religion and war have historically governed humanity. A challenge that has no parallel is to let love outshine the hate and violence that exists all around us. Meet that challenge head on and let love guide your decisions and your existence. Love yourself, love life and when the time is right let yourself fall madly in love.

"Yours is the light by which my spirit's born; you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars." — E.E. Cummings

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Romina + Brian's Romantic Deception Pass Elopement | Destination Wedding Photographer

Romina + Brian share many things, with the most important being their two beautiful little girls. The next strongest thing that they seem to share is their sense of adventure and love of the outdoors. They love packing up their two toddlers and just taking off and hiking to explore new places. When we talked at our initial meeting they shared their list of locations they wanted to visit as well as their desire to sell everything and go live abroad, exploring the world, for awhile. A lifestyle that I am also drawn to, so it will be amazing to follow them on their journey when they take it. For all of this, I'm not surprised that they wanted their elopement to be at a beautiful, adventurous location.

Their first choice was Diablo Lake (for obvious reasons cause #holyamazing) but due to weather conditions it wasn't accessible on their day. So, the night before after much research and thought they changed the location of their adventurous elopement to Rosario Beach in Deception Pass. It may not boast the blue waters of Diablo Lake but it makes up for that in other ways. There are cliffs and ledges to walk out on, a few beautiful beaches, evergreen trees, and an absolutely beautiful sunset!

We got lucky and caught a clear and sunshiny day despite Washington's normally cold and rainy November's. Despite a bit of a chill, the day was absolutely gorgeous! A beautiful location for an adventurous elopement and some beautiful bride and groom portraits.

At the end of the portraits we realized that their diamond ring had somehow gotten lost during the session. We looked up and down where we had been with no luck. Romina + Brian were so calm about it. They expressed to each other that the most important thing was that they were married and that physical possessions were not important to them. At first I was stressing and looking frantically for the ring, but after hearing their thoughts on it I nearly started crying. What a great wakeup call from an amazingly genuine couple to reevaluate what is REALLY important in our lives...

Hair + Makeup: Ann Timmss Makeup and Hair

Second Shooter: One Thousand Words

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Jessica + Michael's Snowy Engagement Session | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Love, laughter and an engagement session in the snow? Yes please! Any day of the week!

For their engagement portraits, Jessica + Michael wanted to do something adventurous, fun and that would remind them of the Pacific Northwest since they will be moving to New York after the wedding. A foggy, snow covered lake in the mountains seemed like a perfect setting for their romantic engagement session, so we chose Gold Creek Pond! A backdrop to make any portrait session peaceful, serene and magical! Of course it was pretty chilly since we did their engagement photos in December, but Jessica + Michael (especially Jessica in the dress photos!!) toughed it out like champs. So glad they did and that we were able to capture some amazing moments between them and the epic background of Gold Creek Pond!

These two lovebirds are set to get married in July of 2018 and I can't wait!! The details they are planning along with the beautiful venue, Cabin Creek Lodge, they have chosen will be simply stunning. Cabin Creek Lodge is a majestic and woodsy venue in Easton, WA. A perfectly boho, romantic and peaceful setting to celebrate their big day. Surrounded by large evergreens and trails to explore, this diverse venue can sleep 40+ guests and has full amenities. What a great place to host family and friends for a weekend of relaxing, fun and the exchanging of vows.

I love the idea of renting a venue for the weekend and spending more time with your guests. Wedding days go by so fast and I personally felt like I didn't get enough time with my out of town friends and family. If I knew then what I know now this would be towards the top of the list of what I would do differently!

Of course, neither this beautiful venue nor the elegant details will outshine the beauty of this couple! Jessica, you are going to be a GORGEOUS bride and the love you have for each other just radiates around you! Seriously, I had so much fun with you and Mike, can't wait for your big day!

Perfect venue, perfect details, gorgeous couple... what more could a Pacific Northwest Wedding Photographer want!! *Swooooon*

Wintery Crown and Hoop: A Moment in Time Floral Design

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Vantage Desert Stylized Senior Shoot | Olympia Senior Photographer

Right about now every year I REALLY start missing the sun! As a Pacific Northwest Senior Photographer I love the rich PNW mood of winter but I will forever miss that warm glow of the sun! Rain rain GO AWAY, so that sun can come make my day!

Here are some gorgeous sun drenched images I took back in September! This was such an amazing, adventure filled day - several other photographers and I piled into a car and road tripped over to Vantage, WA. Isn't the scenery amazing!!!!!  I cannot wait to go back come spring! Message me if you are interested in a portrait session in the gorgeous location.

***Desperately seeking an adventurous couple MADLY IN LOVE who wants their love documented with this gorgeous background!!!

How do YOU get through the dreariness of winter?

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Heather + Curtis Rattlesnake Lake + Ft. Steilacoom Park Maternity Session | Tacoma Maternity Photographer

This sweet couple, Heather + Curtis, are getting ready to welcome a little boy! Can't wait to see his chubby cheeks and cute little toes! Congrats to you two!

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Kerena + Jaren's Franklin Falls Couples Session | Seattle Engagement Photographer

#brownchickenbrowncow

....because boudoir at a waterfall is epic...

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Tipsoo Lake Mt. Rainier Stylized Senior Shoot | Olympia Senior Photographer

On August 21st (My Anniversary, don't judge!) I joined a group of local photographers for a stylized senior session at Lake Tipsoo and it was as fun as it was beautiful! Lake Tipsoo is a beautiful little lake located about 90 miles from Olympia in the Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington. Between the lake and the view of Mt. Rainier it is well worth the drive, plus the wildflowers add stunning little pops of color. Special thanks to Tammy from Tammy Dalquist Photography for coordinating and bringing her team of gorgeous model seniors!

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful