Downtown Golden Hour Engagement Session: Alex + Tanner

A Breathtaking Seattle Evening: Alex & Tanner’s Rooftop Engagement Session

There’s nothing quite like the light over Seattle just before the sun dips below the horizon. It’s warm, dramatic, and absolutely perfect for a high-impact engagement shoot. Alex and Tanner’s session on a downtown Seattle rooftop last season was a beautiful example of exactly that golden hour magic.

Capturing the Connection in the City

When Alex and Tanner chose a rooftop with a wide-open view, they wanted to capture the scale and romance of the city they love. I was able to leverage the height and the gorgeous evening atmosphere to create portraits that feel intimate yet grand. This location gave us a spectacular panorama, allowing me to frame their energy against the backdrop of the Seattle skyline and the vast expanse of The Sound.

As a Greater Seattle area photographer, I always emphasize using the local environment to tell a couple's story. For Alex and Tanner, the urban architecture and the fleeting quality of that evening light became a perfect backdrop for their exciting, modern romance.

Golden Hour and the Perfect White Dress

The timing for this session was everything. I shot directly into the golden hour, resulting in photos rich with those sought-after honey tones.

Alex chose a stunning white dress that was perfectly suited for the scene. The crisp, clean look provided beautiful contrast against the deep textures of the city and the dramatic sunset. It elevated the entire session, ensuring that Alex and Tanner were the elegant focal point against the warm glow of the light as it swept across the buildings and the water. This intentional styling choice truly made the portraits pop.

A Perfect Prelude to Their Seattle Wedding

While Alex and Tanner were married just a few months later in a gorgeous wedding right on the water (more on that in a future post!), this engagement session gave us the chance to capture a totally different vibe. It proves that whether you’re planning an intimate forest ceremony or a grand reception overlooking Elliott Bay, hiring a Seattle engagement photographer who understands how to work with urban light and unique locations is key.

If you’re newly engaged and looking for a Seattle photographer to capture your unique story, I’d love to help you plan a session that is as memorable and breathtaking as the view we had that night.