Rosario Beach Engagement

Danielle and Scott’s Rosario Beach engagement will always be one of those sessions I think about when I need a little dose of sunshine in my memory. From the moment we arrived at the park, everything just lined up perfectly—gorgeous weather, the prettiest blue dress on Danielle, and that easy, genuine connection these two share every time they’re in front of my camera.

Rosario Beach is tucked inside Deception Pass State Park on Fidalgo Island, near Anacortes. It’s actually made up of two beaches on either side of a small peninsula, with driftwood-lined shores, tide pools at low tide, and old-growth trees that frame the water in the most beautiful way. For a Rosario Beach engagement session, you get a little bit of everything: rocky shoreline, wide open views of the water, grassy meadows, and even a short trail up to Rosario Head with incredible views of the surrounding bays and Deception Pass. It’s such a quintessential Pacific Northwest setting, and it fit Danielle and Scott perfectly.

We had such gorgeous weather for their Rosario Beach engagement—one of those clear, bright days where the water sparkles and the sky feels endlessly blue. Danielle showed up in the most beautiful blue dress that moved so gracefully every time the breeze picked up. I loved how the color of her dress echoed the tones of the water and sky; it made her stand out and blend in at the same time, which is kind of the magic of shooting at the coast. Scott kept things classic and relaxed, and together they just looked so effortlessly stylish against the landscape.

We started their Rosario Beach engagement session down near the shoreline, weaving between driftwood logs and smooth stones. The tide was low enough that we could see little tide pools beginning to form—one of my favorite details about this area. As we walked, Danielle and Scott naturally fell into step with each other, laughing, teasing, and slipping into those quiet, close moments that say more than any pose ever could. They’re the kind of couple who can go from playful to romantic in half a second, and it makes photographing them such a joy.

One of my favorite parts of their Rosario Beach engagement was heading up the short trail toward Rosario Head. The path winds through trees and opens up to some truly breathtaking views of the water, nearby islands, and the rugged coastline that Deception Pass State Park is known for. Up there, with the wind in their hair and the waves below, Danielle and Scott just leaned into each other and took it all in. We paused for a few moments to let them breathe, talk, and enjoy the view, and those in-between frames ended up being some of my favorites.

Rosario Beach also has picnic areas nestled among old-growth trees and wildflower meadows, plus a carved story pole that tells the Coast Salish legend of the Maiden of Deception Pass. I always love that there’s such a deep sense of place and history here—it makes a Rosario Beach engagement feel like more than just pretty photos; it feels like you’re stepping into a story that’s much bigger than you. Danielle and Scott wandered through the grassy areas, hand in hand, and we made time for those softer, quieter portraits that really show who they are together.

As the sun started to dip lower, the light turned warm and golden, wrapping everything in that soft glow photographers (and honestly, everyone) dream of. This is the part of a Rosario Beach engagement session where the magic really happens. The water calms a bit, the colors deepen, and every little touch and glance feels extra romantic. Danielle’s blue dress caught the light perfectly, and Scott couldn’t stop smiling at her—it was so sweet to watch.

We finished their Rosario Beach engagement back down by the water, letting them walk along the shoreline and just enjoy the last bit of sun. They skipped over rocks, balanced on driftwood, and every so often would stop, pull each other close, and just… be. No rush, no pressure, just Danielle and Scott soaking in this moment before their wedding day arrived.

Looking back on their Rosario Beach engagement, what stands out to me most isn’t just the beautiful scenery (though it truly is one of my favorite spots in Washington). It’s how natural and at ease these two were with each other, how much fun they had, and how clearly you can see their love in every frame. Sessions like this are exactly why I adore photographing couples in places like Rosario Beach—the landscape adds so much character, but the real story is always the two people in front of the camera.

If you’re dreaming of your own Rosario Beach engagement, I can’t recommend it enough. Between the tide pools, driftwood, trails, views of Deception Pass, and that soft coastal light, it’s the perfect backdrop for telling your story in a way that feels relaxed, romantic, and very Pacific Northwest.