Adventure Session Guide

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about not only planning an amazing adventure session but how to have a fun-ass time doing it!

It's no secret that I think adventure sessions are the absolute best! Whether you’re documenting your engagement, celebrating your anniversary, or just getting out and adventuring with your babe, adventure sessions are a-fucking-mazing! And here’s why!

What’s an adventure session?

Ad·ven·ture ses·sion

/adˈven(t)SHər /ˈseSHən/

First things first, what on earth is an “adventure session?”

Lucky for you, I’m here to tell ya! An adventure session is a 2+ hour wild and exciting experience with you and your babe. You’ll be doing all the things that you two love to do, or exploring new places and having new experiences while getting cute ass pictures taken by yours truly!

An adventure session is all about documenting the two of you in a way that’s candid and natural - none of that “stand over there and smile” stuff - I want you to actually have fun! It should feel like a date… don’t worry, I’m a really great third wheel.

Activities for Your Adventure Session

How Long is an Adventure Session?

This depends on what you want to do! If you’ve got your heart set on a spot that requires some hiking, you may need a full day for your adventure session. Most adventure sessions are around 2-4 hours long. When you’re booking a session, make sure to consider that anything you’re doing will take longer than usual - because we’ll be taking photos, and you’ll need time for outfit changes!

Adding some extra time to your adventure session also allows you to be spontaneous. Whether we’re driving and there’s a pretty overlook on the way, or we want to spend some extra time relaxing at the summit of the mountain before trekking back down, your adventure session will be much more fun if you’re not in a rush.

Activities for Your Adventure Session

Your adventure session should be a reflection of your relationship and the things you love to do. Your adventure could take you on a picnic, a hike, a helicopter ride, or anything else you can imagine! Here are a few fun ideas:

Rent a cute airbnb for an in-home lifestyle session - choose somewhere with easy access to a nature trail or overlook for the best of both worlds!
Go camping for the night, or the weekend
Kayaking
Snowboarding
Snow shoeing
Hiking
Paddle Boarding
Brewery hopping
Taking a dip in a hot spring
Helicopter ride
Knock off a bucket list activity

When you’re planning your adventure session, think of it like a date. Where would you go if you were planning a fun date for the two of you? What activities do you normally do? What’s something you’ve been dying to try?

How to Find the Perfect Location | Best Adventure Session Locations

Picking a location

When picking a location for your adventure session, consider how far you want to travel and how adventurous you want to be. Try to pick a location with multiple options for scenery - somewhere where you can walk around and get some variety! My sweet spot is 4ish mile hikes that are easy to moderate that I can adventure on with my couples!

Not sure where you want to go? Don’t worry - I’ve got lots of recommendations! Here are a few of my favorite locations for adventure sessions in the Pacific Northwest.

Mount Rainier National Park

This national park is a Washington staple. It’s perfect for an adventure session because you can customize your adventure. Mount Rainier has everything from drive-up overlooks to long backpacking trails.

Diablo Lake

Diablo Lake is located in North Cascades National park, and has some of the bluest water you’ve ever seen! You can drive right up to the overlook, making it the perfect location for a laid back adventure session.

Gold Creek Pond

Gold Creek Pond is a gorgeous man made pond nestled in Snoqualmie Pass. It features a short, ADA accessible trail around the pond, where you can get stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Franklin Falls

Franklin Falls is one of Washington’s most popular attractions - and for good reason! The trail is one mile long, and rated easy. After a short hike through the woodsy wilderness, you’ll be greeted by a stunning waterfall. In the winter, the waterfall freezes and you’ll feel like you stepped into a winter wonderland.

Bend, Oregon

Bend is a small town a few hours southeast of Portland that offers tons of hiking trails and parks to explore! In the unique desert landscape, you’ll find everything from short strolls to long hikes - and everything in between!

Contact

What to wear for your Adventure Session | Picking the Best Outfits

What to wear

Something You Feel Comfortable In

The most important thing to remember when choosing an outfit for your adventure session is that you should feel comfortable! If those jeans that make your butt look really good feel super stiff, you’ll be super stiff. If you’re uncomfortable or don’t feel confident in what you’re wearing, it’ll show in your photos! Not only that, but your whole experience will be less than pleasant.

Something That Reflects Who You Are

Because you two are what this is all about, don't ever feel Pinterest-pressured to wear something fancy that's just not something you would normally wear. I'm a true PNW girl, so hiking boots, jeans, and a patagonia fleece with a boho hat is totally my style - if you're feeling casual, rock it!! Some couple like to choose one casual outfit and one fancier one, so feel free to bring options!

Avoid Patterns

Consider the scenery of the location you choose for your adventure session. We’re going to have varying landscapes to work with, and sometimes patterns can compete with nature's backgrounds. That’s why I always say it's better to go for a solid color, rather than prints and patterns. If you do want to rock a flannel or a fun print, stick to neutral colors, and make sure your partner doesn’t wear a clashing print!

Neutral Colors

When in doubt, lean toward those more natural, earthy colors that are going to set the tone for your adventurous images. Colors such as beige, black, forest green, and navy blue will complement most outdoor scenes.

Make Sure You Can Move!

Make sure you can move in whatever you’re wearing - especially if we’re doing a little hiking during your adventure session. I like to get a little playful with my couples, so if you want to take a little piggy back ride on your babe’s back, wearing something non-constrictive is going to be essential. Depending on the time of year, cute knit sweaters and cardigans are also great for adding some extra movement and depth in your images.

Flowy dresses and skirts that naturally move in the wind or move with you really set a mood in your images, so when choosing your fabrics think about these small things that will really capture in your images beautifully.

What to Bring for your Adventure Session | The Goods

Bring the Goods

There's lots of fun things you can bring along for your adventure session. Like a bottle of champagne to pop, some cold IPA’s, maybe a picnic or pizza to snuggle and enjoy with each other. Some other great things that couples have brought to their session include smoke bombs, sparklers, and snuggly blankets. Have a car, Jeep, truck or motorcycle you want to incorporate into your session too? I'm all for it!! If you have fun props you want included, bring them along!

How to prepare

Don't just make this day about getting photos! Plan a date to go along with it, and set the tone for your day. Start off your day hanging out, taking things easy, doing the things you two love, that make the two of you feel connected. Get dressed in the first outfit you want to start your session in (if you don't know which one you should do, just ask - I’m always here to help you with your outfit(s) and any props you want to bring) and head out for your adventure. After your adventure session, plan a cute lunch or dinner date!

What to Expect

I don't like to pose my couples. Instead, I prefer to facilitate real moments that are going to reflect authenticity throughout our session. Forget about the camera! Don't be afraid to be yourselves during your adventure session. That's the whole point - the two of you and your love! Don’t worry - I’ll guide you through it and tell you where to put your hands if you’re struggling, but I don’t do cheesy, posed shit.

PDA Encouraged

Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal. You two know how and where you like to kiss. You two know the way you like to hug, how your bodies fit just right into each other. Let's focus on that!

Run, Jump Around, and Have Some Fun

The best photos happen when you just let loose! When you look back at your photos, you should remember having fun and enjoying the adventure session, not standing there and smiling for the camera. Just be yourselves, and if an IPA or two before the adventure session helps you relax, more power to ya!

Remember to Laugh Together

No one knows better than you what to say to make your partner laugh. Don’t take the adventure session too seriously - we’re here to have fun!

Enjoy the Adventure

Adventure sessions are all about the adventure! So enjoy the scenery, take in the views, and have a good time! Be spontaneous, and if you see a view you want to check out, let’s go!