An Epic Adventure Engagement in Western Washington

When “Not According to Plan” Becomes Exactly Right

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after 16+ years of photographing love stories, it’s this: the moments that don’t go according to plan are usually the ones that feel the most like you. When we first started talking about Kammi and Niki’s session, I had this whole dreamy vision of a golden, sun-soaked summer adventure engagement. You know the kind. Warm light, barefoot-in-the-grass energy, maybe a little wind for that effortless romance. But life did what life does best, and schedules didn’t line up the way we expected. And honestly? I’m so glad they didn’t.

Because what we ended up creating together was something so much better. Something that felt deeply meaningful to them. A full-day adventure engagement that leaned all the way into their love of spontaneous road trips, cozy nostalgia, and that moody, magical Pacific Northwest vibe that you just can’t fake.

This is exactly why I love being an Adventure Engagement Photographer. It’s never about forcing a vision. It’s about building one around who you already are. Kammi and Niki didn’t just show up for photos. They invited me into their story. And let me tell you, it’s a good one.

The Kind of Love That Starts with “Let’s Go Somewhere”

Kammi is the kind of person who will plan her next Disney trip while sitting in a Taco Bell drive-thru. Which, honestly, I respect on a spiritual level. She’s adventurous, a little spontaneous, and fully committed to making life feel fun and meaningful.

And Niki? Niki is the perfect counterpart. Not just along for the ride, but fully in it. The kind of partner who doesn’t ask “why,” but instead says, “Okay, where are we going?” Kammi will throw out an idea like, “Let’s grab coffee,” and Niki’s immediate response is, “Where?” And somehow, that simple question turns into Main Street Bakery, sipping coffee in front of Cinderella’s Castle, reliving the moment Kammi proposed before heading off to Pirates of the Caribbean or Big Thunder Mountain.

This dynamic showed up in every part of their session. That’s their love. Equal parts intention and adventure.

So when I started dreaming up locations for their session, I knew it couldn’t be just one place. It had to feel like a journey. A full experience. Something that mirrored the way they move through life together. Naturally, I went a little wild with it.

I searched what felt like all of Western Washington looking for the perfect castle. (Fun fact: we have more castles here than you’d expect, but not all of them pass the vibe check.) And then I found it. Manresa Castle. The kind of place that feels like it’s holding a hundred untold stories in its walls.

From there, the rest of the day built itself. If we were going to end at a castle, we needed to start somewhere equally magical. So I said, “What if we made this a full-day adventure?” And without hesitation, they said yes. Again, this is why I love what I do as an Adventure Elopement Photographer. The best sessions always start with a little bit of “what if…”

From Mossy Trails to Foggy Shores

We kicked off the day out past Forks, Washington, deep in the kind of forest that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. (Nevermind the millennial Twilight Era that was my young adulthood making a comeback). The Hoh Rainforest has been on my personal shortlist for years. It’s one of those places I’ve always wanted to explore more deeply, but hadn’t quite made the time for. So yes, I’ll admit it, part of this was me finally giving myself the excuse to go.

But also? I knew it would be perfect for them.

Everything there feels alive in a quiet, almost sacred way. The moss hanging from the trees, the soft earth under your feet, the way the light filters through the canopy like it’s been carefully placed just for you. We didn’t do a long hike, just a short portion of the trail, but it didn’t matter. The magic was immediate.

Kammi and Niki fell into their rhythm so naturally. Walking hand in hand, laughing at nothing and everything, stopping to take in the stillness around them. There’s something about being in a place like that that strips away any pressure to perform. You just exist together.

As a documentary-style photographer, those are my favorite moments to capture. The in-between. The quiet glances. The way someone instinctively reaches for the other’s hand.

From there, we made our way to Lake Crescent. And if the rainforest felt like stepping into a fairytale, Lake Crescent felt like the pause in the story where everything slows down. The fog rolled in over the hills, soft and moody and honestly just showing off at that point. The rocky shoreline gave us this beautiful contrast to the softness of the forest earlier in the day. It felt a little wild, a little untamed. We wandered into a nearby wooded area that felt almost frozen in time. Like if you stood still long enough, you might hear echoes of the past.

At some point, we realized there was a waterfall nearby. And by “realized,” I mean we discovered it just late enough to laugh about it and immediately start talking about coming back. Because that’s the thing about sessions like this. You don’t need to do everything in one day. Sometimes leaving something for next time is part of the story.

A Castle Ending (Because Obviously)

By the time we arrived at Manresa Castle, it felt like we had already lived an entire day together. Which is exactly what I want for my couples. Not rushed. Not posed. Just fully experienced.

Kammi and Niki had booked a room at the hotel, which gave us access to the interior spaces, including this absolutely stunning library that felt like it belonged in a period film. Moody lighting, rich textures, quiet corners. The kind of place where you half expect to find a hidden passageway or a handwritten love letter tucked into a book.

And then, because apparently this day wasn’t done being magical, a deer wandered into our session. Not metaphorically. An actual buck. Just casually passing through like it had an invitation. We all paused for a second, trying to process what was happening, and then immediately started laughing because it felt so unreal. Like we had somehow stepped into a Disney movie without realizing it. Which, honestly, felt very on-brand for both Kammi and myself.

It was one of those moments you can’t plan. You can’t recreate it. You just get to be there when it happens. And that’s the heart of what I do as an Adventure Elopement Photographer. I don’t just document what a day looks like. I capture what it feels like to be in it. That mix of wonder, connection, and a little bit of chaos that somehow turns into something unforgettable.

Why Adventure Sessions Tell Your Story Better

By the end of the day, as we wrapped up and said our goodbyes, I kept thinking about how perfectly this session reflected who Kammi and Niki are. Not because we followed a perfect plan. But because we didn’t. We built something that gave them space to be themselves. To explore. To laugh. To experience a full day together without pressure. That’s what makes sessions like this so powerful.

When you choose an Adventure Elopement Photographer, you’re not just signing up for pretty photos. You’re choosing an experience. One that’s intentionally designed around your relationship, your energy, and the way you naturally move through the world together.

It doesn’t have to be a rainforest and a castle. (Although, highly recommend both.) It can be your favorite coffee shop, a quiet beach, a mountain trail, or even a full-on road trip with no real destination. The magic isn’t in the location. It’s in the way you show up for each other.

Kammi and Niki reminded me of that in the best way. Their session wasn’t just beautiful. It was honest. Playful. A little unexpected. And completely, unmistakably them.

If you’re dreaming about your own engagement session or elopement and you want something that feels more like an experience than a checklist, let’s talk.

You can find more of our work and start dreaming up your own adventure at www.markiejonesweddings.com, or come hang out with us on Instagram @markiejonesphotographyllc and Facebook at www.facebook.com/mjpllc.

Because at the end of the day, your love story deserves more than just photos. It deserves an adventure.