These Rattlesnake Lake engagement photos are proof that rain does not get the final say. If anything, it showed up and did us a favor. It was cold, wet, and very Pacific Northwest. And honestly? It made everything better.
The clouds hung low over the lake, the mountains were wrapped in fog, and the forest tones were soft and muted. You can’t order this on Amazon. We brought clear umbrellas, which caught all those little raindrops and turned them into tiny sparkly details.
Jenny and Caleb did not care one bit about the weather. They were laughing the whole time. It was playful, sweet, and completely natural. They truly leaned in. That’s the thing about rain; it doesn’t ruin a session. It strips everything down to what actually matters.
Mentorship with Henry Tieu + 1:1 Rattlesnake Lake Engagement Photos in the Rain
Okay, little behind-the-scenes moment. This shoot was extra special for me because it happened during a mentorship I booked with Henry Tieu. Yes, that Henry. I had been following his work for a while and finally decided to stop overthinking it and go for it.
The mentorship included a 1:1 photo session, which meant I got to learn in real time while actually shooting. Not just talking theory or watching from the sidelines. And let me tell you, shooting in cold, rainy weather will either stress you out or level you up. I chose level up.
It pushed me to think differently about movement, about using natural light when it’s soft and gray, about how to embrace the weather instead of fighting it. We let the environment do the heavy lifting and let the couple be the story. This made for some epic, cinematic engagement photos.
I’m always growing, learning, and stretching myself so I can show up better for my couples. Investing in mentorships is about making sure that when I’m the one leading the day, I can do it confidently and calmly, even if it’s 40 degrees and raining sideways.
Moody PNW Vibes + The Kind of Elopements I Dream About
This session felt like a little glimpse into the kind of work that lights me up the most. Cold, wet, rainy PNW energy. Fog hugging the mountains. Dark water. Evergreen trees stretching up into gray skies. There’s something about this kind of atmosphere that makes everything feel deeper. The quiet and the stillness.
If I’m being honest, this is the direction my heart keeps pulling me. Give me the coastline in the Pacific Northwest. Wind in your hair. Mist rolling in off the water. Or send me back to Alaska where the landscape feels big and wild and a little unpredictable. I’m in. Those raw, emotional, slightly chaotic weather moments are where the magic happens.
This shoot reminded me that I’m not here for perfectly sunny, perfectly polished everything. I’m here for feeling and movement. For couples who don’t mind getting a little wet. For people who care more about the experience than staying comfortable. Jenny and Caleb fully embraced it, and it made all the difference. Their joy, their warmth, their willingness to just go for it is what made these photos what they are.
Washington Elopement Photographer | Stefanie Vanessa Photo
If you’re planning an elopement on the PNW coast, or honestly anywhere that feels a little wild and windswept, I would love to be there. Coastal cliffs, foggy beaches, misty mountain lakes, Alaska adventures… say the word. I will absolutely be the one hyping you up while it’s raining and handing you a clear umbrella with a huge grin on my face.
Rain doesn’t scare me. Wind doesn’t either. If this session feels like your vibe, let’s talk. I’m always down for a moody, meaningful day that feels like you. While you’re here, check out this intimate Lake Dillon wedding in Breckenridge!
