Obsessed is an understatement with this one. Like…are you kidding me?? I recently got to hang out with the sweetest senior and we turned two of Washington’s photo-worthy locations, Bellevue Botanical Gardens and Marymoor Park, into straight up magic.
Starting the Day at Bellevue Botanical Gardens
We kicked things off at Bellevue Botanical Gardens and immediately…yeah, I knew we were about to create something special. This place is giving main character energy in the best way—lush greenery, soft florals, little hidden corners everywhere. It’s basically a built-in Pinterest board.
We wandered through some of my go-to spots:
Urban Meadow – soft, romantic, light and airy DREAMS. The florals here?? Unreal. Perfect for those effortless, editorial-but-still-you moments.
The Waterwise Garden – a little more modern, a little artsy. The textures here add that subtle edge while still keeping things natural and clean.
Yao Garden – winding paths, greenery everywhere…aka where the candid magic happens. Think movement, laughs, and those in-between moments that actually feel like you.
Rock Garden – totally different vibe in the best way. We switched it up here and got some really unique, slightly moodier shots to balance everything out.
And then golden hour rolled in like it always does…soft glow, warm light, everything hitting just right. Literal magic. No notes.
On to Marymoor Park
After that, we headed over to Marymoor Park in Redmond and the vibe shift?? I’m obsessed. Wide open space, a little rustic, a little wild—in the best way. This is where we leaned into movement, energy, and just letting things feel natural.
Tall Grass by the Airfields – running, spinning, hair moving, all the chaos (the good kind). These are the moments that don’t feel posed—and that’s exactly the point.
The Windmill – such a fun, unexpected backdrop that adds a little personality to your gallery.
Bridges everywhere – my favorite for walking shots. Easy prompts, lots of movement, nothing stiff or awkward—just you being you.
As the sun started to set, the sky did its thing—pinks, oranges, purples…all wrapped in that glowy light that makes everything feel a little extra cinematic. We ended with the dreamiest portraits and honestly…couldn’t have planned it better if we tried.
This session wasn’t just about photos (even though…hi, they’re stunning). It was about celebrating such a big life moment in a way that actually feels like you. No stiff poses, no weird pressure—just vibes, movement, and capturing it as it naturally unfolds.
From Bellevue Botanical Gardens to Marymoor Park, this whole session felt like a little adventure—and I’m still not over it.
If you’re planning your senior session in Washington (Seattle area, I got you), these locations are IT. And if you want photos that feel effortless, fun, and actually like you…you already know where to find me 🫶✨