Confession: We're kind of scared of Seattle.

It's not the people or the city conditions itself. It's a beautiful city, relatively safe and filled with interesting and kind people.

What we're actually afraid of is the traffic. (Remember this wedding day nightmare?)

And the crowds. (Game and festival days can be nightmares.)

And accessibility. (Free parking and a tiny downtown area makes our hometown a little easier to navigate.)

All that said, we were excited to shoot Mike and Becca's engagement shoot in downtown Seattle. They're a fun, beautiful couple, and they planned well. Here's a list of what they did right; see how many of these ideas you can spot in the photos below.

• They went on a weekday morning. At 9:00, it was past the morning traffic jams, yet before the harsh shadows of noonday sun. Weekends are generally much busier and full of road closures, so it was easier to get around town on the Thursday they chose.
• They scheduled plenty of time. They had a full two-hour session, and they weren't in a rush to make appointments after their shoot. This meant that we had enough time to go at a relaxed place and explore both Pike Place and the Seattle Center.
• They brought cash for the monorail. The monorail's a lot of fun to ride (and take photos on), but it only takes cash. We also used cash to take a great photo with one of the street performers.
• They planned their locations. Seattle's a big place, and it can be easy to wander aimlessly if you don't have a plan. Mike and Becca knew exactly what spots they wanted to visit, including Pike Place Market, the Gum Wall, and the Seattle Center.
• They were prepared for weather and walking. While it didn't rain, it's usually a good idea to bring rainboots like Becca did. She also was wise in not wearing high heels or other uncomfortable shoes.
   

Whether you like urban locations like Mike and Becca's, or you prefer more natural settings, planning your session is always a great idea. That's why we love to talk through the details of your session with you. Contact us today to start planning!