I have such a soft spot in my heart for Lauren and Drew, and their Friday Harbor engagement session is a big reason why. Last year, we spent an entire day together on San Juan Island—wandering, laughing, taking photos, and just really getting to know one another. By the time I got back on the ferry that night, it felt less like I had photographed clients and more like I’d spent the day with friends.

We met up in Friday Harbor, the charming little seaport town that serves as the gateway to San Juan Island. It’s one of my favorite places in the world—a historic, walkable harbor town where everything is just steps from the ferry landing. You’ll find small, locally owned shops, restaurants, art galleries, and plenty of spots to sit and watch the ferries, boats, and seaplanes come and go. It has this easy, slowed-down rhythm that makes you breathe a little deeper the moment you arrive.

For their Friday Harbor engagement session, we decided to really lean into that relaxed island feel. Instead of rushing through a quick hour of photos, we made a whole day of it. We strolled through downtown, wandered near the marina with its rows of boats and soft, reflective light on the water, and found quiet corners where they could just be together. Places like the harbor area and nearby viewpoints on San Juan Island are some of the most photo-worthy spots you can imagine—wide-open water, evergreen-covered hills, and endless sky.

What made the day even more special, though, was the conversation. We ended up bonding so much over our mutual love for Disneyland and all things Disney. We talked about favorite rides, hidden details in the parks, and how Disney somehow manages to make everything feel magical and intentional. It honestly felt like we could have planned an entire trip just from that conversation alone. We also connected over our shared love for traveling and living abroad—swapping stories, daydreaming out loud about future adventures, and talking about what it’s like to put down roots in new places.

That sense of adventure is a huge part of who Lauren and Drew are, and it showed up in such a sweet way not long after their Friday Harbor engagement session. They announced that they had quit their jobs to travel the world for an entire year, documenting their journey for friends and family to follow. When I read the news, I had this wave of that same mix of excitement and “oh my gosh, I’m going to miss you!” Seeing their travels unfold online has been such a joy—and every time they post a new destination, I think back to the day we spent together on the island.

Photographing their Friday Harbor engagement session felt like stepping into the early pages of a story you know is going to be extraordinary. They’re so easygoing and open-hearted with each other. There were so many moments throughout the day when they’d fall into their own little world—holding hands, cracking inside jokes, or pausing to take in the view together. My favorite images from the session are the ones where you can see both their tenderness and their shared sense of adventure: Lauren tucking into Drew’s shoulder as the wind picked up, Drew pulling her close as they walked along the waterfront, both of them laughing in that real, unposed way that says, “this is my person.”

Friday Harbor and San Juan Island have this almost unreal quality to them—the kind of place where the light hits the water just right, where you can watch ferries glide in and out of the harbor, and where sunsets seem to linger a little longer than they should. It’s no surprise that it’s become one of my favorite locations for engagement sessions and weddings. There’s just something about the combination of rugged coastline, peaceful town, and wide-open views that makes it feel like a little piece of heaven on earth.

Looking back on Lauren and Drew’s Friday Harbor engagement session now, what stands out most isn’t just how beautiful the island looked (though it absolutely did). It’s the feeling of that day—the unhurried pace, the depth of conversation, the way we connected over Disney, travel, and life abroad, and the quiet excitement you could feel buzzing around them as they stood on the edge of so many big adventures.

Sessions like this are why I love what I do. Yes, we created lovely images in a stunning place. But more than that, we spent a day intentionally slowing down, capturing a chapter of their story that’s full of possibility, courage, and joy. Every time I see their photos or hear about a new stop on their travels, I’m reminded of that ferry ride home from Friday Harbor—heart full, camera cards full, and so grateful that this work lets me cross paths with people like them.