A Sweet Pea-Filled Field Engagement Session at Discovery Park in Seattle

Nerves Melt Away in the Golden Light of this Field Engagement Session

Siobhan and Jay walked into their session feeling nervous, and that’s completely normal. Plenty of couples feel a little awkward in front of a camera at first. Within minutes, though, their nerves gave way to real laughter and easy affection. This sweet pea field engagement turned into one of my favorite sessions of the summer. The weather cooperated beautifully, with soft golden light stretching across the whole evening. Blooming sweet peas added the perfect background touch to Discovery Park.

Settling In and Shaking Off the Jitters

Nervous energy is completely normal at the start of a session, and Siobhan and Jay were no exception. We started with something simple: just walking and talking together. Small prompts helped them forget the camera was even there. Within a few minutes, genuine smiles replaced the nervous ones. That shift is always my favorite part of a shoot. Trust builds fast once people realize there’s no pressure to pose perfectly. A few silly prompts got them laughing at themselves instead of worrying about the camera. By the time we reached the fields, they had completely relaxed into the evening. Watching that transformation happen is part of why I love this work so much.

Wandering Into the Sweet Pea Fields

This was Siobhan and Jay’s first time visiting the park, so every turn brought something new. Rolling meadows opened up just past the tree line, filled with tall grass and blooming sweet peas. Their soft purple-pink color practically glowed in the early evening light. We found a quiet patch where the flowers grew thickest and let the couple settle in naturally. Jay leaned in close, and Siobhan’s laugh came out completely unscripted. Moments like this are exactly why I love a sweet pea field engagement session. The blooms only last a few weeks each summer, so timing sessions around them takes some planning.

Golden Hour Portraits Among the Wildflowers

As the sun dropped lower, the whole field turned gold. Tall grass caught the light and glowed around the couple with every step. We moved through the meadow slowly, chasing small moments rather than forcing big poses. Jay spun Siobhan around on a narrow dirt path, and she nearly lost her balance laughing. A quiet embrace on that same path became one of my favorite images from the entire evening. Genuine connection always photographs better than anything posed. This kind of light is part of what makes an engagement in the sweet pea fields so special. We tried a few different spots along the path, letting the couple choose whatever felt natural. Some of the prettiest frames came from simply following them as they walked. Every so often, a gust of wind sent the tall grass rippling behind them, adding movement to otherwise still portraits.

A First Look from the Puget Sound Overlook

From the meadow, we made our way toward the bluff overlooking Puget Sound. Neither Siobhan nor Jay had seen this view before, and their reaction said it all. A cargo ship drifted slowly across the water while the Olympic Mountains sat hazy in the distance. We let them just take it in for a minute before picking the cameras back up. Their hands stayed clasped together the entire time. Even without perfect posing, images like these tend to become favorites, since the emotion behind them is completely real. Jay wrapped an arm around Siobhan as they looked out toward the water, both of them quiet for a moment. Sometimes the best photos happen when nobody is trying too hard. The whole hillside glowed gold as the sun kept dropping behind them.

Sunset on the Beach Near the Lighthouse

Down at the beach, driftwood logs lined the shore in every direction. Waves rolled in gently as the sky shifted into soft pastel colors. Siobhan wrapped a cozy white shawl around her shoulders while they walked along the waterline. We wandered close to West Point Lighthouse, its small tower catching the day’s last light. Jay pulled Siobhan in close near a weathered log, and neither one seemed to notice the cool evening air anymore. A kiss right there on the sand became the perfect way to close out the session. It felt like the ideal finish to their first visit to this park.

Planning Your Own Sweet Pea Field Engagement Session

Sweet peas bloom in the wild meadows here for a fairly narrow window each summer, so timing matters. Late June through July tends to offer the fullest blooms and the tallest grass. Beyond the meadows, the park offers a bluff overlook with sweeping water views. A sandy beach near a historic lighthouse rounds out the scenery. That kind of variety is rare within a single location. Couples get three completely different backdrops without ever leaving the property. Each spot brings its own mood, from wild and romantic to calm and expansive.

Golden hour still matters most for this kind of session. Aim to start about ninety minutes before sunset. That timing leaves enough room to catch the fields, the overlook, and the beach while the light stays soft. Comfortable walking shoes help too, since the terrain shifts from grassy trails to sand fairly quickly. Bringing a light layer isn’t a bad idea either, since the breeze picks up once you reach the water.

If nerves are holding you back from booking a session, know that they fade fast once the camera starts rolling. Some of the best photos come right after that initial awkwardness melts away. Most couples tell me afterward that the session was more fun than they expected. Giving yourself permission to be a little silly usually leads to the best results.

If a field engagement session sounds like what you’re picturing, reach out. I’d love to help you plan an evening this beautiful. Check out my guide to planning your own Discovery Park engagement session here!