“Adventure is worthwhile in itself” – Amelia Earhart

A Love Story Lost in the Woods: Alycia & Nick’s Adventurous Engagement Session at Tradition Lake

Some people just click—you meet them, and it’s like you’ve known each other for years. That was Alycia and Nick. From the moment we finally nailed down a date, I knew this wasn’t just another engagement session—it was going to be one of those stories we’d retell for years (and laugh about every time).

You see, we’d been trying to plan their shoot for what felt like forever. First it was timing, then weather, then life doing its usual dance of unpredictability. But finally, in November 2019, the universe stopped playing hard to get and gave us a cozy, drizzly window of opportunity. We packed up our gear, grabbed extra rain covers (because—hello, Pacific Northwest), and met up at the ever-enchanted Tradition Lake trail system.

Now, if you’ve driven I-90 near Issaquah, you’ve probably zipped right past Tradition Lake without giving it a second thought. But here’s the thing: this place is magical. It’s the kind of location that makes every engagement session feel like a romantic woodland fairytale, complete with hidden gems and “wait, is that a toppled-over bus?” moments. (More on that in a sec.)

So while Alycia and Nick were having their engagement photos taken with me, my husband Jake—who doubles as my favorite human and videographer—and our kids were off hiking the same area. But in true choose-your-own-adventure fashion, we ended up in completely different places. Like, they found this giant tree with roots splitting like octopus legs above ground, and we stumbled upon what looked like the remains of a retro bus crash. Honestly, it felt like we’d stepped into a fantasy novel. I kept half expecting a wizard to pop out and hand us a riddle.

And before you ask—no, there’s not great cell service out there, so we had the good sense to set a solid meet-up time in the parking lot. Otherwise, someone would’ve been left in the misty woods wondering if the forest had claimed their people.

Swipe Right for Forever

Okay, okay. Let’s get to the real story—how these two met. Because y’all, it’s adorable.

Alycia and Nick met the same way a lot of modern couples do these days: online. But what makes their story so dang good is how confidently Alycia took the reins. She jokes that she “invited herself over for dinner,” and honestly? Icon behavior. That level of confidence tells you everything you need to know about this couple.

Of course, I had to ask the obvious follow-up: “Did you check how clean the base of the toilet was?” (If you’ve never heard that tip—checking the base of a man’s toilet to gauge his cleanliness—please tuck that one away in your mental files. You’re welcome.) Alycia didn’t even pause before replying, “YES.”

From that first dinner onward, it was basically a wrap. She picked Nick out, and the rest was history. Their chemistry is just… effortless. They make each other laugh in that full-body, goofy-grin kind of way, the kind that makes even the grumpiest of trail-walkers crack a smile.

There’s something really special about photographing couples like this—ones who aren’t afraid to be themselves. It’s why we love working with couples who value connection, laughter, and all the messy, magical in-between moments. Because real love isn’t stiff poses and forced smiles. It’s snort-laughing in the rain, poking fun at each other, and holding hands while hiking down muddy trails without a care in the world.

The Rain, the Bus, and the Love

Back to that toppled bus I mentioned earlier—because yes, it’s real, and yes, it’s just chilling in the middle of the woods like it belongs there. We were mid-session, making our way along the trail and chasing the softest, moodiest light (November in the PNW is basically nature’s softbox), when we turned a corner and bam. There it was.

Now, I’m not usually one to throw in a ton of props, but let’s be honest—if the forest presents you with an abandoned bus, you use it. We played with depth and framing, let the overgrown foliage add texture, and embraced the quirky romance of it all. These are the kind of unexpected backdrops you just can’t plan, and honestly, that’s part of what makes documentary-style photography so magical.

Oh, and let’s not forget the weather. It was drizzly, yes. But right as we were wrapping up, the skies opened up with a dramatic combo of rain and hail. Timing? Impeccable. Mother Nature may have a flair for the dramatic, but she sure does know how to close a session with style.

This session—this whole experience, really—is the reason I love what we do. We’re not just there to snap pretty pictures (though we do love those too). We’re there to tell your story. To freeze those fleeting moments of laughter and love, so you can look back and remember not just how it looked, but how it felt.

Whether it’s an elopement on a mountaintop, a cozy at-home engagement shoot, or something epic like a Gold Creek Pond engagement (another one of our favorite PNW gems), we’re all about capturing love in its realest, most joy-filled form.

Planning your own engagement session? Whether you’re dreaming of misty lakeside trails, snowy mountaintops, or somewhere that feels uniquely you, we’d love to help bring that vision to life. Jake and I are a husband-wife photo/video team, blending my documentary-style ninja stealth (yes, really) with his spotlight-loving charisma to give you the perfect mix of candid and cinematic.

📸 Let’s connect!
🌐 www.markiejonesweddings.com
📸 @markiejonesphotographyllc
👍 facebook.com/mjpllc

And hey, if you’re already scouting dreamy spots, we highly recommend checking out Gold Creek Pond for engagement photos—you’ll get those PNW vibes with mountain reflections that are chef’s kiss perfection. Just be ready for some weather (and maybe a wizard or two).

Cheers to love, adventure, and always checking the base of the toilet.