Enchanting Waterfall Adventure Engagement | Gina + Wayne

It’s not a secret that my favorite couples are those who aren’t “boxed in” by traditions. So it stands to reason that this waterfall adventure chasing couple instantly became my new best friends this weekend. When Gina first contacted me, she wasn’t intimidated by my growing family. It didn’t even phase her that I would be spending this wedding season with a nanny in tow. (This is only one small reason my couples are THE BEST COUPLES EVER!)

While it’s pretty typical for couples to book me 12-18 months in advance, Gina booked about 6 months out. Usually this means we’d skip the engagement session, but I was itching to do something different. When I proposed the idea of the Waterfall Adventure Engagement session, Gina + Wayne jumped on board immediately. Turned out, they love to pack up their Jeep — a silver, muddy, absolutely badass machine that looked like it had been places and had the stories to prove it — and just pick a direction to find something amazing. That’s some serious #couplesgoals right there.

Here’s the thing about couples like Gina + Wayne: they don’t need a Pinterest board or a shot list or a perfectly curated timeline to have a great day. They need a full tank of gas, each other, and a general sense of “let’s see what’s out there.” I didn’t fully understand just how perfectly suited they were for a waterfall adventure session until we were actually out there, just laughing, wandering, and genuinely just living while I happened to have a camera.

Washington Waterfall Adventure

If you’ve never gone full waterfall-chaser in Washington State, friend, you are missing out. This state is absolutely drowning (pun intended) in stunning waterfalls. From the iconic Snoqualmie Falls thundering just outside of Seattle, to the serene tiers of Franklin Falls tucked in the Cascades, to the dramatic Palouse Falls cutting through the eastern Washington desert; Washington is a waterfall adventurer’s dream come true. Gina already knew this. Waterfalls are her favorite, and she mentioned being able to sit there for hours just listening and watching the water. I respect that energy deeply.

So, I set to work researching the prettiest waterfalls in Washington, put together a short list, and let Gina + Wayne pick their adventure. They landed on two with pretty easy hikes, which (as it turned out) was a generous description.

Our first stop on our waterfall adventure was Rocky Brook Falls, just outside Brinnon on the Olympic Peninsula. One of the tallest waterfalls on the peninsula, Rocky Brook is also among the prettiest. It’s a classic horsetail waterfall that crashes more than 200 feet from a small hanging valley above, fanning over ledges into a large splash pool surrounded by boulders. The photos on the AllTrails.com page were, let’s say, aspirational in terms of the promised hiking experience. I had confidently quoted Gina 45-90 minutes for hiking in, shooting along the way, and hiking back out. What I did not account for was the fact that the trail to Rocky Brook Falls is more of a 200-yard walk than an actual hike. I felt a little silly, but only a teensy bit, because the waterfall itself was AMAZEBALLS and every second was worth it.

Gina stood at the base of that waterfall, just taking it in. Wayne stood next to her grinning, because that’s what Wayne does. I quietly took a hundred photos and tried to look professional while internally squealing.

Of course, with the generously short “hike” (and I’m using that term loosely… very, very loosely), we had more than enough time to make the two-hour drive up to our second stop: Madison Creek Falls, just outside Port Angeles, tucked into the Elwha Valley of Olympic National Park. Madison Creek Falls drops nearly fifty feet in a narrow white ribbon framed by ferns, mossy boulders, and towering bigleaf maples. The trail up to it is paved and again, not exactly a rugged backcountry trek, but honestly? The waterfall earns it. The rushing falls tumble into a small pool below, and the trail takes you right to the foot of it so you can feel the full weight of the cascade. The mist, the moss, and the green made it the kind of place that makes you understand exactly why someone could sit beside a waterfall for hours.

Washington really does spoil you.

Bonding at it’s finest

Even though both sessions were pretty short compared to what I had originally envisioned, it was a complete blast getting to know Gina + Wayne. And here’s what I want you to know about these two: they are BEST FRIENDS. Capital B, capital F, no asterisk. The kind of couple that makes each other snort-laugh and then makes fun of each other for snort-laughing. The goofy, silly, completely-at-ease-with-each-other energy that just radiates off them was so fun to be around and made every single frame feel effortless.

Gina and I bonded hard over our mutual love for Black Rifle Coffee. If you’re not familiar, BRCC was founded in 2014 by former U.S. Army Green Beret Evan Hafer, who started roasting beans in his garage and built it into one of the most recognizable veteran-founded brands in the country. BRCC has remained consistent in its commitment to supporting veterans, active-duty military, and first responders, and that mission-driven identity is a big part of why people like Gina and I love it so much. When you grab a cup of Black Rifle, you’re not just fueling your morning, you’re buying into something that gives back to the people who gave everything. That’s worth a lot.

Meanwhile, Wayne and Jake spent a solid chunk of time deep in conversation about their Jeeps and other very important manly car stuff that I largely tuned out in favor of finding new angles. They were in their element. We were all in our element.

I am SO excited to watch these two tie the knot this July at the Marymount LeMay Collection. They are incredible together; the kind of couple where the love is so obvious you almost feel like you’re intruding just by standing nearby, except they’re so warm and welcoming that you never actually feel that way at all.

Gina + Wayne, I cannot wait. July cannot come fast enough. 🖤

Loved this adventure session? Check out another awesome adventure here!