I always enjoy a good hike, especially if it involves scenic views. So when this amazing high school senior wanted to hike up Summit West at Snoqualmie Pass for his senior portraits, I knew this was going to be an incredible session. As far as hikes go, it’s a pretty short one, but enough to get you up to some pretty stunning views. When he mentioned that his father (who had recently passed only a few months before) had taken him skiing there so many times growing up, it hit me pretty hard. This wouldn’t be just about the views and the expressions, but also about the memories – good memories that he had spending time with his father.

As we were about to start our hike back down, nature put on a pretty spectacular display to the east as the last rays of sunlight for the day cast created brilliant colors and shapes on the clouds and billowing plumes of wildfire smoke in the distance. It reminded me of just how powerful nature is and how small we are. And it helped remind me of just how important it is to be thankful for the time we have to both enjoy it and to share it with those we love.

Thank you for the awesome session! I really enjoyed our adventure at Summit West and wish you all the best in your senior year of high school and beyond.