Kristin + Pooji's Steamy Motorcycle Couples Session | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Guess who is back on the blog today?!?! 

These two soulmates have been in front of my camera quite a few times now and it always turns out magical. These lovers share a connection that is so real and so undeniable, it was truly meant to be!

Kristin + Pooji approached me to do a couples session and they wanted to include their bike..... I said "NO WAY, that is the silliest idea ever." Hah. #justkidding I was all over that idea like my kids on pancakes!! 

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Couples session - check!

Magical, crazing-in-love, couple - check!

Bike for sexy poses - check!

Sun flares - check!

Awesome urban, abandoned location - check check aaaaaand check!

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A little shout-out to Kristin, too! Girl, you have the MOST amazing smile. It seriously lights up every picture and every time I look of these I can't help but smile too. XOXO

XOXO,

Sarah

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

Ian + Jason Pioneer Square Couples Session | Seattle Wedding Photographer

XOXO,

Sarah

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

Jessica + Jeff's Ballard Market Engagement | Seattle Wedding Photographer

One sunny fall day last September I got to follow these two quirky lovebirds, Jessica + Jeff, around the Ballard Market for their engagement session. From cribbage to tea and coffee and some casual strolling we recreated their very first date.... plus some! 

I had so much fun with this couple and I just adore how fun-loving, intelectual, creative and epically nerdy they are! My kind of people haha! I am counting down until the day i get to capture their nuptials, which is just over a week away! Crazy! Jessica + Jeff have chosen to say 'I do' in a casual ceremony, surrounded by their closest friends, family members.... and all the animals of the Woodland Park Zoo! Have i ever mentioned how much i love penguins?? Well...

XOXO,

Sarah

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

Samantha + Nate's Couples Session | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Such a fun and sweet couple! These two are some of the nicest people I've met and they have a passion for life, their family, helping others.... and each other of course!

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

McKinley + James' Downtown Tacoma Anniversary Session | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Such a fun engagement shoot with McKinley + James!

XOXO,

Sarah

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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

Hillary + Eric's Downtown Tacoma Engagement Session | Olympia Wedding Photographer

For Hillary and Eric's downtown Tacoma engagement session we wandered around, talking of their adventures and laughing endlessly. This sweet couple was so much fun!

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

Danny + Marcos' Pioneer Square Engagement | Seattle Wedding Photographer

I can't believe Danny + Marcos' wedding is only TWO days away! So exciting! 

Danny + Marcos chose to do their engagement session at Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle because they have had many adventures in and around the area. They were preparing to move to the Midwest so why not capture some memories of a familiar and happy place!

Danny + Marcos were referred to me by a mutual friend,  Rebecca (thanks girl!) and I'm so glad they were! Individually they are both amazing humans; smart, funny, kind, successful, humble. Together they are magic! One thing that I love about photographing couples is being able to see, hear and feel the connection they have and Danny + Marcos did NOT disappoint! 

The way they looked at each other...as if no one else existed...

The little gestures of love as they emotionally checked in with the other...

The happiness that radiated from them as they talked about their upcoming nuptials and thought about spending the rest of their lives together... 

I live to tell love stories through my photography and they have quite a wonderful tale to tell. I can't wait to join them on their big day and capture all the little moments that will make their wedding both amazing and memorable. Danny + Marcos, there will be many adventures in your future. May the love you share be the grandest of them all.

I'll end here with a few of my favorite quotes about love...

 “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

“In a sea of people, my eyes will always search for you.” — Unknown

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

Trina + Jonathon's Romantic Spring Session....At My Neighbors House | Olympia Engagement Photographer

If you've been following me at all you know that I am a sucker for beautiful locations! Rattlesnake Lake, Franklin Falls, beaches, mountains, the ocean......! I have a list 10 pages long of all the locations I want to photograph a couple or elopement at (Some I will be checking off the bucket list this summer so if you are recently engaged message me!!! #shamelessadvertising but it's my blog so I can do that haha)

As a Pacific Northwest Wedding Photographer I consider myself quite lucky because there is no shortages of beautiful locations to shoot at. So, I spend so much time dreaming of and planning shoots in many of these breathtaking locations that sometimes I forget that some of the most beautiful locations can be right in front of you! Sometimes it's the side of the road (been there, done that) and sometimes you can't help but ask your neighbor if you can shoot in there driveway -  after years of ogling over it!!!

Meet Trina + Jonathan - they are fellow photographers from PS Photography by Trina + Jonathan. They met me in Lacey along with my good friend Leslie of One Thousand Words to make my vision of shooting in blossoms (at least once a year) happen! Wow, did it ever happen! Trina + Jonathan have years of marriage and four kids under their belts and still are MADLY in love with each other!!! Of course with that type of connection they could make any location look good but my NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY lined with gorgeous pink blossoms was just PERFECT! Overgrown field across from their house was a bonus :)

So, when you are thinking about planning a portrait session, an adventurous location like Franklin Falls or Rattlesnake Ledge would be amazing and would surely yield some amazing images. BUT don't forget that there is beauty all around us and we don't have to travel far to create some epic portraits. For those of you who can't swing an adventure portrait session this year, this may be the perfect option for you! I've got endless ideas so message me if you want your own beautiful little session.

Trina's makeup was ON POINT for this session! Amanda at A Second Look - Makeup by Amanda nailed it!!

Oh, and for those of you drooling over Trina's gorgeous floral dress (like me) find one in your size HERE.

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

Kendra + Thor Ft. Steilacoom Engagement Session | Tacoma Wedding Photographer

Kendra + Thor are getting married!

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

Alli + Reese's Ft. Steilacoom Couples Session | Tacoma Engagement Photographer

Alli + Reese's couples session at Ft. Steilacoom Park was loaded full of favorites! One of my favorite photographer friends, her favorite boy, one of my favorite locations, my favorite type of session (love stories!!), my favorite type of weather (no rain!), one of my favorite colors to photograph (those PURPLE pants!!!) and my favorite atmosphere - relaxed, lots of laughs and LOVE! I'm also very drawn to the dark greens that winter in the PNW provides!

Although winter photos do lack the warm beautiful sun of summer portraits, there is just something so nice and calming about the grey of Pacific Northwest during rainy season. A big difference being that the greens are very muted compared to when it's summer so there are nice dark greens in the background rather than bright green of summer. Visually this can be an excellent thing!

It is already April and we are starting to get more and more nice days where the clouds and rain take a break and the bright warm sun illuminates the earth, and our moods. Soon every day will be sunny and a variety of plants and flowers will be in full bloom. Summer portraits full of flowers, blue sky and a warm glow will soon be possible.

Every season has it's perks - summer has flowers and warm, golden sun, fall has beautiful orange foliage and falling leaves, winter has neutral and calming tones - and snow! - and spring has flowers and a mix of winter and summer tones. This is important to consider when planning portraits as you want the scenery and light to match the mood of the images. So if you are thinking about getting portraits done, plan ahead and if you aren't sure what season is best then message me and we will find the perfect time to get the look you are aiming for.

No matter what time of year you step in front of my camera we will have some fun and create some relaxed, memorable and fun images.

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

Sarah + Deven's Ft. Steilacoom Couples Session | Tacoma Engagement Photographer

Passion, lust, love, adventure, fun and amorous. Just some of the words that come to mind when I think about this magnetic couple's Tacoma portrait session. Sarah + Deven were so relaxed in front of my camera and there is nothing shy about their love, not to mention how adorable they are together.

I love when my couples trust me to take creative control and are up to get some fun moments. For the past 6 months I've been moving away from posed images and moving towards more candid images. I just love ones with movement, may it be hair blowing in the wind, a romantic twirl or a fun little wrestling match. The images that capture the feelings between a couple without a single word or a playful moment are by far the most memorable. I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic and a dreamer so when I see love that meets those rather high expectations it always makes me so happy. The power of love is so amazing because it has such a positive effect not only on those experiencing it but to all those who witness it too. Love like this helps overcome some of the over-abundance of hate that exists in this world.

We even pulled off an epic dance move from the movie Dirty Dancing that would have made Patrick Swayze proud and it gave us some good giggles too!

Couples sessions (and weddings) are my fave!! So fun to capture the dynamic spark between two people! Sarah + Deven, you two are so stinkin' adorable together - I can't stand it!! Come and see me again!!!

I'll leave you with a romantic passage from the book 'God of Small Things.' Soul-searing, raw and poetic, a bit like love.

“The way her body existed only where he touched her. The rest of her was smoke.” -Arundhati Roy

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