The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph people. The soft, diffused light on overcast days. The lush greens of the forests. The drama of Puget Sound at golden hour. The texture of downtown Everett's historic architecture.

Outdoor sessions are some of my favorites to shoot — and some of the most common questions I get are about how they work. Here's everything you need to know.

The hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset — what photographers call "golden hour" — produce the most beautiful natural light for portraits. The sun is low in the sky, casting warm, directional light that wraps around faces softly and creates gorgeous depth.

Midday sun, by contrast, is harsh and unflattering. It creates hard shadows under the eyes and nose, causes squinting, and produces a flat, washed-out look. If you're booking an outdoor session, I'll almost always recommend a morning or late-afternoon time slot.

One of the most common misconceptions about outdoor photography is that you need bright sunshine for great photos. In reality, an overcast sky acts like a giant softbox — it diffuses the light evenly across the entire scene, eliminating harsh shadows and creating the kind of soft, flattering illumination that's very difficult to replicate artificially.

Some of my best outdoor work has been shot on grey, overcast Pacific Northwest days. Don't cancel your session because the forecast isn't sunny.

Over the years I've scouted dozens of locations in and around Everett. A few favorites:

Jetty Island — Wide open skies, driftwood, and water views. Perfect for families and couples. Best in the late afternoon when the light hits the water.

Forest Park — Towering trees, fern-covered forest floors, and beautiful dappled light. Great for a natural, earthy feel.

Downtown Everett — Historic brick buildings, interesting textures, and an urban energy that works well for personal brand and creative sessions.

Mukilteo Lighthouse Park — Dramatic water views and the iconic lighthouse as a backdrop. Stunning at golden hour.

Private property and custom locations — If you have a meaningful location in mind — a family farm, a specific park, a place that holds significance for you — I'm always open to scouting new spots.

The same principles apply as for studio sessions — coordinate rather than match, avoid busy patterns, choose colors that complement your surroundings. For outdoor sessions in the Pacific Northwest, I'd also suggest:

• Layers you can add or remove depending on temperature
• Shoes you can actually walk in (we may cover some ground)
• Avoiding very light colors if we're shooting in a green, forested environment (they can pick up a green color cast)

I monitor the forecast closely in the days leading up to every outdoor session. Light rain is usually fine — it can actually add a beautiful mood to portraits, and I carry weather protection for my gear. Heavy rain, wind, or lightning are different matters.

If conditions are genuinely unsuitable, we'll reschedule at no charge. I'd rather wait for the right conditions than deliver images that don't do you justice.

Interested in an outdoor session? Reach out and we'll find the perfect location and time of day for the portraits you're imagining.