Mt. Baker Engagement Session With Tess & Gavin
Tess and Gavin’s Mt. Baker engagement session was one of those perfect Pacific Northwest evenings that feels straight out of a dream. These two met through mutual friends over two and a half years ago—introduced by Tess’s college roommate—and although their paths had probably crossed many times before, something just clicked when they finally met. Comfortable. Easy. Right from the start. They’re both from the area and share a deep love for the Pacific Northwest, and Gavin recently proposed on an unforgettable trip to Rome.
We photographed their engagement session in June up near Mt. Baker, and even though Artist Point was still closed due to lingering snow, the mountain gave us no shortage of incredible locations to work with. We explored Picture Lake, Bagley Lakes Trailhead, and Heather Meadows—three of my favorite early-summer spots in the Mt. Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest. The sun was out, the air was crisp, and it truly felt like the PNW at its best.
As golden hour arrived, the entire landscape transformed. Mount Shuksan lit up deep red as the sun dropped behind the ridge, painting the sky in pastels and giving us the kind of sunset photographers dream about. Tess and Gavin embraced every moment—laughing, adventuring, and soaking in the beauty around them. Their connection photographed so naturally, and the mountain backdrop made everything even more magical.
As a PNW photographer based in Bellingham, Washington, I’m lucky to live just a short drive from Artist Point and the surrounding Mt. Baker area. I make the trip up the mountain for engagement shoots and elopements many times throughout the year, and I know all the best locations—whether you want alpine lakes, snowy ridgelines, wildflower meadows, or sunset views like the ones we had with Tess and Gavin.
Sessions like this remind me why I love photographing couples in the North Cascades. The combination of breathtaking mountain scenery and a couple truly in love is unbeatable.
If you're dreaming of an engagement session or elopement in the Mt. Baker area or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, I'd love to help you plan something unforgettable.
Bear Beau Photography is always down for adventure.
