Mt. Rainier in Summer: A Pacific Northwest Love Letter

Living in the Pacific Northwest never gets old, and a summer afternoon on Mt. Rainier is exactly why. I’m finally getting around to sharing these photos from a day I spent on the mountain, camera in hand, long after I took them.

Scouting turns into its own kind of shoot

I was up there photographing engagement and wedding locations, the usual work of walking meadows and ridgelines to find the right backdrop for a couple, and I couldn’t resist pulling my camera out for a few landscape frames along the way. Some of the best images happen in the in-between moments, when you’re technically just there to scout.

Why Mt. Rainier keeps pulling me back

There’s a reason so many Seattle couples want their engagement or wedding photos here: wildflower meadows, glacier-streaked slopes, and a mountain that dominates the skyline on a clear day, all within a couple of hours of the city. Summer is the sweet spot, once the snowpack has receded enough to open up the alpine trails and meadows that make this park so photogenic.

If a Pacific Northwest mountain backdrop sounds like the setting for your own engagement or wedding photos, Mt. Rainier is always near the top of my list.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time of year to photograph Mt. Rainier?

Mid to late summer, roughly July through September, is ideal, once the snowpack has receded enough to reveal the wildflower meadows and alpine trails the park is known for.

Do you photograph engagements or weddings at Mt. Rainier?

Yes, Mt. Rainier is one of my favorite Pacific Northwest locations for engagement and wedding photos, and I regularly scout its meadows and ridgelines for new spots.

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