Danielle + Isaac’s Gig Harbor Engagement Session

What happens when your Pinterest perfect dreams get thrown a wrench? Read this blog to learn how we can take those adventurous hearts and give them magic with a Gig Harbor engagement session.

Okay, so picture this: You’re at the Puyallup Wedding Show overwhelmed by glittering rings, cake samples, and enough floral inspo to turn your Pinterest boards into a full-blown jungle. It’s literally wild there, and couples are hopping from booth to booth, rapid firing questions at the vendors. But then, Isaac walks up to our booth. He’s calm, collected, and clearly on a mission. We immediately knew he meant business because not only did he have all the right questions, but he was also taking point on booking the photographer. A man with a vision. We love to see it.

He came back a couple of times with Danielle (which, if you know wedding shows, is like showing up for seconds at Thanksgiving. Only the really good stuff warrants a return trip). We ended up chatting, laughing, bonding over life stuff, and by the end of it, we all knew we were a good fit. Like “let’s-start-texting-memes-to-each-other” kind of fit.

Fast forward a few weeks, and we were already plotting their engagement session. They wanted an adventure, something a little off the beaten path. But as life sometimes does, it threw a few curveballs their way. The dreamy hiking-and-climbing session turned into more of a laid-back, scenic Gig Harbor Engagement. It was still magical, still full of love, just a little less cardio involved.

And honestly? It was perfect.

The Gig Harbor View of the Narrows Bridge

Danielle wanted that bridge backdrop, and I had just the place in mind. This park is not too steep, not too crowded, and still wow enough to feel like a special adventure. The four of us met up for their Gig Harbor engagement session in the early evening, and it was just the kind of day you hope for when shooting in the PNW. If you’ve ever been to Tacoma Narrows Park, you know exactly what I’m talking about when I say this spot shines. You get that golden light through the evergreens, sun bouncing off the Tacoma hills, and the Narrows Bridge stretching across the water like it was made for Gig Harbor engagement photos. 

Now, I really wanted that bridge to pop, so I’d been studying some new lighting techniques that day and decided to try them out (I love when couples let me test things out, knowing I’ll still get their “safe shots”). Let’s just say… a few of those photos came out looking a little like those awkward green screen cruise ship portraits from the early 2000s. We laughed a lot, mostly at me. Danielle and Isaac were absolute troopers and rolled with it like pros.

Honestly, one of my favorite parts about engagement sessions is that it’s not just about getting the perfect photo. It’s about getting to know each other, building trust, and laughing through the awkwardness so that when the wedding day comes? You’re already camera pros. No stiff smiles. No weird nerves. Just joy.

Tattoos, Disneyland, and New Beginnings

Here’s where I fully out myself as a sentimental softie: I love the tiny details. Like how Danielle has a Mickey balloon tattoo on her arm that I spotted mid-session and immediately fell in love with. Y’all, this tattoo is tiny but mighty. And as a fellow Disney adult (don’t come for me, I love pretzels and Pirates), I got all excited like my cats before dinner.

Then she casually drops that she used to work at Disneyland. Umm, excuse me?? I officially have a new bestie. I swear, we always end up finding our people. The fellow Disney nerds, the ones who still tear up during the fireworks shows, the ones who have strong opinions about Dole Whip vs. churro supremacy (Dole Whip, obviously).

Isaac, on the other hand, was fresh into a new job and excited to tell us how things were going. And I love this because it’s such a real part of life. You’re planning a wedding, working full-time, navigating change, and yet you still find time to snuggle up for photos in a park. They’re the kind of couple that radiates calm, even when life is anything but. Grounded, fun, and clearly crazy about each other.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Now I know their wedding isn’t until 2026, but I’m already counting down. Their energy is just so good, and they’re the kind of couple who you genuinely want to hang out with, not just photograph. 

Engagement sessions like this one are a sweet reminder that the best photos come when you stop stressing about the pose or the weather or whether your hair is doing that weird thing again. The magic happens when you show up, be yourselves, and trust your photographer (hi, it’s me).

For Danielle + Isaac, the magic was in the small stuff: the giggles when a pose felt awkward, the way Isaac looked at her when she started talking about her Disney days, and the relaxed pace that allowed their personalities to shine. It wasn’t some epic mountain top hike, but it didn’t need to be. Tacoma Narrows Park gave us the view. Danielle + Isaac brought the Gig Harbor engagement vibes.

And when the wedding comes around? You better believe we’ll be the best hype squad; cameras in hand, maybe a matching Mickey Balloon Tattoo (cause I’m in LOVE with Danielle’s!) and ready to document their next chapter.

Choosing Your Perfect Engagement Location Without the Stress Spiral

Since you’re probably knee-deep in “save this” and “pin that,” let me share a few quick tips for choosing your own perfect engagement session location, whether you’re into wild mountain backdrops or cozy puget sound vibes like Danielle + Isaac’s Gig Harbor engagement.

1. Think About Your Comfort Level

Are you happiest barefoot on the beach or in boots on a trail? Your location should feel like you. Don’t feel pressured to climb a mountain if a forest walk with your favorite coffee sounds more your speed. Danielle and Isaac originally planned for a bigger adventure, but pivoted to this low-key Gig Harbor engagement and it ended up so authentically them.

2. What’s the Story You Want to Tell?

Engagement photos are like the prologue to your wedding day. Do you want to honor where you met? Celebrate your shared love of the outdoors? Feature a place that means something to you? Bonus points if it’s dog-friendly, too. 

3. Consider Lighting and Season

The Pacific Northwest has a mood all its own. Cloudy skies make for dreamy skin tones, but location can look very different in spring vs. fall. We help you plan based on golden hour light, weather patterns, and all that nerdy photo stuff so you don’t have to stress.

4. Trust Your Photographer (That’s Me)

Look, I’ve spent years location-scouting everything from tucked-away beaches to epic overlooks to hidden mossy trails. If you’re stuck, I’ve got a whole Pinterest board and a location guide ready to send your way. You don’t have to have all the answers. That’s what I’m here for.

Whether it’s a classic Gig Harbor engagement spot with bridge views or something totally off the grid, we’ll figure out the place that feels like home for your story, your energy, your vibe.

📸 Looking for your own Gig Harbor engagement photographer? Whether you’re dreaming of a mountain adventure or a chill afternoon by the bridge, we’ve got your back. We know all the best spots (including the ones where you don’t have to hike a thousand feet uphill), and we promise you’ll laugh at least once, probably at us.

👀 You can check out more of our work at www.markiejonesweddings.com
📱Follow along on Instagram: @markiejonesphotographyllc
👍 Or come hang with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mjpllc

Danielle + Isaac, we’re so excited to be part of your story. Here’s to all the wedding planning joy, job promotions, and maybe a few more Disney themed tattoos. 🖤