Wild coastline, towering sea stacks, driftwood-covered shores and some of the dreamiest light in the Pacific Northwest—Ruby Beach is one of those places that feels made for adventurous photos. Located along the coast of Olympic National Park, it gives you an incredible mix of rugged scenery and room to simply explore together.
Catryce + Reese joined me at Ruby Beach for a couples session, and their photos are the perfect inspiration for anyone dreaming about engagement photos somewhere that feels a little wild, romantic and completely different from the traditional photo-session backdrop.
Why Ruby Beach Is Perfect for Engagement Photos
Ruby Beach gives you a ton of variety without needing an elaborate plan. You can explore around the sea stacks, walk along the shoreline, tuck into the rock formations and let the wind and ocean become part of the experience. Rather than trying to keep everything perfectly posed, this is the kind of place where movement, messy hair and wandering barefoot along the beach actually make the photos better.
Timing matters here, too. The tides along the Olympic Coast can change what areas of the beach are accessible, and conditions can shift quickly, so checking the tide forecast and current park conditions before your session is important. Olympic National Park specifically recommends knowing the tides rather than guessing, and warns that storms and strong winds can create hazardous coastal conditions.
Ruby Beach can also get busy, particularly during the summer. Planning for earlier or later in the day can help with both crowds and parking—and, conveniently, usually gives us much prettier light to work with too. The National Park Service notes that Ruby Beach parking can be challenging during summer.
And if you’re dreaming about more than engagement photos? Ruby Beach can be an incredible part of an Olympic National Park elopement, too. I’ve put together a full Ruby Beach elopement guide with more planning information for couples considering it for their wedding day.
Planning Your Own Olympic National Park Adventure?
Whether you’re planning engagement photos along the coast or dreaming about an intimate elopement somewhere in Olympic National Park, your experience should feel like the two of you—not just a photoshoot with a pretty backdrop.
I help couples plan adventures that leave room to explore, slow down and actually enjoy being together. From finding locations and choosing the right time of day to building a timeline around the experience you want, I’ll help you bring all the pieces together.
Dreaming about Washington? Explore my Washington elopement photography and planning resources, or Reach Out to start planning your own adventure.
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