Alex + Cody's Ft. Steilacoom Couples Session | Tacoma Wedding Photographer

A little rain.

A little sun.

Gorgeous flowering trees and lots of fun.

Oh, springtime - I do love you because it means that summer is coming and you bring color and beauty to Washington; but thanks to your unpredictability I don't miss you until at least mid-winter.

Washington weather is 80% of why I carry a clear umbrella (or two) in my car at all times! Fifteen percent is because they are so darn cute in portraits and the remaining 5% is in case a giant spider tries to eat us... or more specifically me, sorry clients. Don't get me wrong, I know they are good be cause they eat obnoxious pests like mosquitoes.... small birds and probably a baby pterodactyl if one flew by but they are just way too big around here!

I was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska and while we have a handful of spider varieties around none of them rival the chihuahua-sized ones that live in this wild and wet state. It didn't take me long to wonder if I was in Washington or Australia when I first moved here! Ok, seriously they aren't that bad.... although I have been known to run lighting speed through the house to the shower while simultaneously stripping down to rid myself of any eight-legged 'friends' that may be hitchhiking after I walked into a web.... OK fine, they aren't so bad, as long as they don't touch me. Ever. Especially not my face, hair, neck, torso, arms, legs or feet. Or clothes.

Ok, let's get back to Alex + Cody after that creepy jaywalk. As you can see we had some crazy up and down weather that day but we totally rolled with it and had so much fun exploring Ft. Steilacoom Park in Tacoma! Well... I may like Washington springs more than I initially let on! 

P.S. When session are filled with this much love, smiles and laughter I always leave with a full heart. Never let that love fade or the laughter dissipate. Those are two things that truly make life worth living. 

XOXO,

Sarah

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

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

Ingrid + Dan's Manchester State Park Engagement | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Ingrid + Dan hired me to be their wedding photographer and I tell you what, I'm pretty darn excited about it! Just look how stinkin' cute they are! They are so in love, fun-loving and sweet - It was cute to see them laugh and joke and interact with each other!! Can't wait to capture these two's Seattle wedding! Countdown 30 days!

There's is another thing I'm really excited about and it's Manchester State park in Port Orchard, WA. A gorgeous rocky beach, evergreen trees, paths to explore and.... some awesome abandoned buildings! Perk alert: all this is near a parking lot so this is a great location for those with mobility issues!

Ingrid + Dan had a free hotel stay and they decided to use it near Port Orchard, when we started looking for location ideas Ingrid sent me a few and instantly Manchester State Park stood out to me.  After a few minutes of research I was even more convinced, so glad we decided on it! Manchester State Park is an hour away from where I live in Olympia which means I had to leave my house by 7:00 am to make our 8:00 am session. (For those of you who know me well) that is EARLY for me and I've always been partial to evenings since 'golden hour' has some amazing light but I ended up loving the beautiful, cool morning light - morning photos session maybe totally be my new thing..... maybe.

Awesome couple, an adventurous new location, abandoned buildings, a beach, fun and smiles and pretty morning light - what a perfect combination!

“I could make you happy, make your dreams come true. Nothing that I wouldn’t do.

Go to the ends of the earth for you to make you feel my love.” ~Bob Dylan

You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you

-John Legend

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

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!! 

---

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!

---

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

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 + 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

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

Terrianna's Bridal Session | Olympia Wedding Photographer

A little bit of beautiful, and rare, Washington winter sun, a breathetaking bride and the perfect bouquet really go a long way!

Epic floral masterpiece by 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

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

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

Such a fun engagement shoot with McKinley + James!

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

Rachel + Eric's Newcastle Golf Club Wedding | Olympia Wedding Photographer

Rachel + Eric tied the knot on January 6th as our first wedding of 2018 and what a way to start the year off! This wedding was by far our favorite of the year (haha I made myself giggle, but seriously I think it's going to stay that way!) Rachel + Eric are such genuine, sweet and talented humans and they were such a pleasure to work with. Just by spending one day with their friends and family I can totally see how loved and supported these two are. I almost forgot I was working because they made me feel so welcome which is a wonderful feeling.

One very special element to their big day is the time and love that went into making their wedding so beautiful! Rachel and Eric's friends and family members came together to create all the stunning floral arrangements and reception decorations that were all absolutely gorgeous. How special to have such support and involvement from the ones you love. My wedding was similar and it is some of the best memories of the day.

One more EXCELLENT note about the day is it was foggy out! I know, most people think foggy is kind of gloomy but as a Pacific Northwest wedding photographer I was stoked! It makes for a clean, interesting and serene background! As Washington winter days go we ended up getting pretty lucky! The raid held off for the most part with just a few drizzly spells here and there. Thankfully it stayed dry during wedding party and bride and groom portraits so we could do them outside and capture some of the view of the golf course. Those bride and groom photos with the foggy background! #dreamy #ilovefog #yaaaaas #hairgoals

Desserts: Midori Bakery

Dress: Nicole Miller via Blue Sky Bridal

Venue: Golf Club at Newcastle

Florals: Friends + Family

Live Entertainment: The bride and groom!!!!

Thanks to my second shooter Malory Larson Photography

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

Brooke's Scenic Anchorage Bridal Session | Alaska + PNW Wedding Photographer

Last May I was able to spend a few weeks in the homeland, beautiful Alaska. It had been several years since I'd been home so it was long over due. My husband and three kids and I flew home to Fairbanks, Alaska for my best friend's daughter's graduation. After a few days in Fairbanks, visiting friends and family, we took the beautiful 6 hour drive to Anchorage (which seems a lot longer than 6 hours with two toddlers and a baby.) The majority of my family still resides in Anchorage so we were all excited to play with cousins and explore the glaciers and mountains. We had a busy schedule with play dates and visits but I just HAD to shoot while I was home.

Rachel of Capture Alaska Photography and I had been chatting for a few months about setting up an adventurous bridal shoot while I was home and these were the results!! Rachel is an amazingly talented photographer and she is perceptive, sweet and loads of fun. She had known Brooke for quite some time and picked her to model for us, it was the perfect choice because the three of us worked so well together and we had a blast during this shoot! 

Brooke is so natural and real, she was such a pleasure to work with. My favorite thing about Brooke, besides her FABULOUS hair, is that laugh of hers! When she laughs, she laughs with her whole being and it's contagious. Smart, ambitious, talented - I just can't say enough good things about Brooke. What an amazing woman you are, Brooke! Also, CONGRATS on being crowned Miss Alaska USA 2018! May this year bring you everything your heart desires and may you find some amazing and positive ways to impact this world.

Model: Brooke Johnson, Miss Alaska USA 2018

Floral Bouquet: Rachel of Capture Alaska Photography

Location: Right outside of good ole A-town

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

Samara's Bridal Session | Olympia Wedding Photographer

In October Samara married the love of her life, Chris, in a fairytale worthy wedding. While her newly wedded bliss was still fresh she came to see me for an elegant and stunning bridal session. Her long, fitted dress with a top layer of lace fit her just perfectly! Let's not forget my very favorite detail, flowing down from her shoulders to the floor was a cape of elegant lace. Such a perfect touch to this amazing dress. I had not seen a cape on a wedding dress before and it was the most surprise! I didn't know it was even a thing but I really hope it becomes one! 

Dress: Barbara's Barbara's Bridal Boutique + Alterations

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