Makenna and Derek’s Accessible Olympic National Park Engagement Session

Makenna and Derek’s engagement session felt like the perfect balance to their upcoming urban winery wedding—grounded in the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest. As an interabled couple, it was important that their session not only reflected their love for each other but also embraced accessibility without compromising on the feeling of adventure.

Since they’re based in Washington, we knew we wanted a location close to home but still filled with sweeping views and that untamed PNW spirit. Olympic National Park immediately came to mind, and Hurricane Ridge offered the best of both worlds: wide-open mountain landscapes and an accessible paved trail that made exploring effortless for all of us. The setting allowed Makenna, a disabled bride who uses a power wheelchair, to fully immerse herself in the landscape without barriers—and it created the kind of environment where their love story could unfold naturally, surrounded by wild beauty.

Some of my favorite film frames from this session:

We started our session along the ridge as the golden light broke through the clouds, painting the hillsides in warm tones. Wild deer roamed nearby, adding an almost surreal magic to the evening, and fields of wildflowers—especially the soft purple lupines—lined the path. It was one of those places where accessibility and adventure beautifully coexisted, and it felt like the perfect reflection of their story.

Captured on a blend of 35mm, 120mm, and Polaroids, this session felt like flipping through a collection of timeless memories: some candid and unscripted, others with a quiet editorial touch. By the time blue hour settled over the mountain ridges, we all stood in awe of the layered peaks fading into deep shades of indigo and violet—a backdrop that felt both intimate and expansive, just like Makenna and Derek’s love.

This session is a reminder that love stories don’t need to fit a mold. Representation matters, and being able to celebrate a disabled bride in such an iconic national park landscape made this session even more meaningful.