When C + J started dreaming up their engagement session, they envisioned golden hour light, open fields, mountain views, and a rustic ranch feel. And honestly—same. That vision was stuck in my head too. I wanted to create something soft, romantic, and glowy, somewhere between Puyallup and Othello that had those dreamy rolling hills and maybe even a few horses in the distance.
After digging through Google Earth (yes, literally scrolling around the state!), I finally came across a private ranch nestled in a Cle Elum valley that felt perfect. I reached out on a whim and, to my surprise, the ranch owner was absolutely thrilled at the idea of us coming out for an engagement session. He even invited me and my assistant Garrett to visit ahead of time to scout the location.

When we arrived, the ranch owner gave us a full tour—side-by-side style. He drove us through golden fields, tree-covered paths, and a quiet pond tucked along the property line. It was magic before we even began.

Once C + J arrived, we started their session in the woods. The sun was dipping low behind the trees, casting the most stunning golden light through the branches. Lupines were blooming everywhere, and the forest felt like something straight out of a fairytale.

Our next stop was a peaceful little pond at the edge of the property. C + J danced together on the dock, giggling as their reflections shimmered across the water. It was one of those moments where you could just feel how much they love each other—completely unposed and effortless.

To wrap up the session, we headed out to the ranch’s main field near the driveway—just in time for the final glow of the sunset. The rancher let his horses roam free, and a few wandered over to us out of curiosity. Having the horses in the background added the perfect touch of rustic romance to the photos.

As the wind picked up and the light dipped behind the trees, we knew we had everything we needed. That golden Cle Elum light, sweet moments between two people in love, and a ranch setting that couldn’t have been more magical.