Elliott & Cameron’s Magical Maple Valley Engagement Session

You know it’s going to be a good day when you accidentally show up in someone’s driveway after putting the Google address for your Maple Valley engagement session into Apple Maps and wonder for a second if this SHOULD be your photo location. I mean, to be fair, the house was gorgeous. But believe it or not, I don’t look good in orange jumpsuits and trespassing wasn’t on the schedule for that day, so Jake and I did a quick retreat back to where there was a gravel parking lot.

Our real Maple Valley engagement destination? Fred V. Habenicht Rotary Park in Maple Valley. And friends, let me just say, this little hidden gem surprised us in the best way possible. What started as a modest open field and trees turned into an enchanting forest path, tucked-away river spots, and one of the most effortlessly fun engagement sessions we’ve ever photographed.

The Seattle Wedding Show

Let’s rewind for a second. You might be wondering how we met this sweet couple. It all started at the Seattle Wedding Show, where Jake somehow managed to make a new best friend in about four minutes flat. (It’s honestly his superpower. He could make friends with a lamp post. Let’s face it, he’s probably done that.) Turns out, his new bestie was none other than Elliott’s mom.

Now, I’m a big believer that moms know best (I’m probably a little biased) and Elliott’s mom clearly has excellent taste, because not long after the show, we got an inquiry from Elliott and Cameron, who are tying the knot this fall at Shangri-La on the Green (one of our all-time favorite venues in the PNW. It’s all riverside romance meets fairytale forest vibes).

When it came time for their Maple Valley engagement session, they chose Fred V. Habenicht Rotary Park. Despite the rocky start thanks to Google’s less-than-stellar GPS pin, we finally arrived, cameras in hand and ready to explore. And that’s when the real magic started.

The Magical Maple Valley Engagement

Now listen, I’ve photographed a lot of couples in my day. And while I love every single one of our couples like they’re my long-lost college roommates, there are definitely a few who make me do a double take and go, “Wait… have y’all done this before?”

Elliott and Cameron were those people. Effortlessly cute. Natural smiles. Instinctive snuggles. The kind of couple who looks like they stepped right out of a Nicholas Sparks book, but with way better banter and no tragic endings.

From the very first click, they were in sync. I’d suggest something like, “Okay, Elliott, lean into Cameron and whisper something sweet,” and before I even finished my sentence, they’d already nailed it. Then Cameron starts suggesting poses like picking Elliott up and carrying her across the water to this tiny little island under the bridge. I was like, “Excuse me, sir, are you secretly a Pinterest board?” Their creativity, mixed with complete trust in our direction, made for one heck of a dream session.

And the location? That unsuspecting park turned out to be the kind of hidden treasure you only find when you’re willing to venture past the parking lot. Just a few minutes into the wooded trails, the light started streaming in through the trees, and boom, photographer’s heaven. Add in a riverside, a mossy little footbridge, and two people in love? Pure perfection.

A Picture-Perfect Date Night 

Every time we photograph engagement sessions, I tell our couples to make it a date night. Like, yes, come looking cute and ready to snuggle but then go have fun afterward. Grab dinner. Walk through town. Treat it like a celebration of this exciting season of life.

So when we wrapped up the session and I was lowkey sad it was over (because, truly, Elliott and Cameron are the kind of people you just want to hang out with for hours), Elliott turns the tables and tells us to go check out Cascadia Pizza.

And I mean. The girl knows what she’s talking about. Between the laughter, the creative energy, and then the pizza suggestion? It felt like we were the ones being taken care of for once.

Maple Valley Engagement Tips 

Now, because I can’t not slip into helpful mode, here are a few tips for planning your own Maple Valley engagement session:

1. Don’t judge a park by the parking lot.
Fred V. Habenicht Rotary Park looked like your typical neighborhood field at first glance. But once we wandered a little deeper, it was pure magic. Always give the location a chance (and maybe wear comfy shoes to explore).

2. Bring your own creativity.
One of the things that made Elliott and Cameron’s session so unforgettable was their willingness to bring their ideas to the table. Don’t be afraid to share your vision with your photographer. I’m always down for giving your partner a piggyback ride, snuggling up in a cozy blanket moment, or something totally unique to your relationship. 

3. Plan a date night around your session.
Trust me, you’re already dressed up, glowing with that “just got professional photos taken” energy, why not make the most of it? It turns the whole experience into a fun memory, not just a checkbox on your wedding to-do list.

4. Trust your photographer.
We’ve seen it all from rainstorms to toddlers running through your shot. The best photos often come from letting go and just enjoying the moment. The candid giggles, the muddy shoes, the wind in your hair? That’s the good stuff.

Elliott and Cameron, THANK YOU. Thank you for making us laugh, for trusting us, and for reminding us how lucky we are to do this work. Your joy is contagious, and we’re so dang excited for your fall wedding at Shangri-La on the Green. (Also, next time, we’re bringing the pizza.)

And to any couples out there reading this, dreaming up your own engagement session or wedding plans, we’re here for you. We’ll help you find the perfect light, laugh through the awkward moments, and maybe even discover your new favorite date night spot.

Want to start planning your own session (or just need a buddy to decode wedding vendor chaos)? Let’s chat! You can find us over at www.markiejonesweddings.com, or slide into our DMs over on Instagram @markiejonesphotographyllc or Facebook at www.facebook.com/mjpllc. We’re your Maple Valley engagement photographer dream team, GPS mix-ups and all. 💕