Cori and Robbie’s Engagement in the Pacific Northwest

This journal entry is part of a series where I share the stories behind the images featured on my website banner—a collection of photographs that represent meaningful moments in my work as a Pacific Northwest wedding and engagement photographer. Working with Cori and Robbie on both their engagement session and wedding photography was one of those memorable experiences. Capturing them in a sprawling, open field felt like a dream come true; it’s a setting I’ve long loved to photograph for its natural beauty and peaceful vibe. This image stood out to me because of its calm simplicity, evoking both serenity and connection—qualities I aim to capture in every Pacific Northwest engagement shoot.
Cori and I met soon after I moved to the Pacific Northwest, working briefly together at a cozy café. Even as life led us in different directions—school, sports, new jobs—we stayed connected over the years. When she reached out and asked if I could capture her wedding to Robbie, it felt like a full-circle moment. There’s something deeply satisfying about photographing the life milestones of people you’ve known, and it was an honor to document such an important chapter in Cori and Robbie’s love story.
We planned this engagement photo session carefully, choosing outfits that would complement the lush, green landscape and scouting out a field that offered the perfect blend of openness and natural beauty. The Pacific Northwest weather was kind to us that day, giving us soft, diffused light that brought out the rich colors of the scene. Cori and Robbie were full of joy and totally at ease, which allowed me to capture authentic moments of love and happiness. The final images reflect the calm, harmonious spirit of the day—something I strive for in every Pacific Northwest engagement and wedding photography session.
This session was captured on my Sony a7 II with the trusty Sony 55mm f/1.8 lens—a setup that remains a staple in my kit for its clarity and beautiful depth of field. the image retains a soft, natural feel that emphasizes the couple’s connection while letting the rich greens of the grass and tree fill the background with a lush texture while keeping them very sharp. The 55mm focal length provided the perfect balance, allowing me to frame Cori and Robbie intimately within the vastness of the field while maintaining the sense of openness that defined the scene. This engagement session was also a chance to test the versatility of my 35mm lens, which brought a sense of closeness and intimacy to the images. The lens’s unique perspective helped frame Cori and Robbie in a way that felt both natural and personal, adding an extra layer of warmth to their engagement portraits.
This shoot also marked a turning point in my editing style. I’d recently begun experimenting with a new approach to color grading, a subtle shift in my photography’s look and feel that I was still refining. It was during Cori and Robbie’s session that this new color palette fully came to life, giving their photos a distinct mood that felt true to both my style and the timeless quality of their connection. As an engagement photographer in the Pacific Northwest, developing a consistent, recognizable color profile has been a small but meaningful accomplishment that I’m grateful to have discovered through experiences like this one.
Since this shoot, I’ve had the privilege of watching Cori and Robbie’s journey unfold, as they build a life together, adding new chapters with each move and adventure. I’m grateful to have been part of their story and to have captured these early moments of it. Sharing this journal entry is a way to revisit that day and reflect on what made it special—a reminder of how relationships evolve and deepen and how lucky I am to capture those connections through engagement and wedding photography.