Ballard, Seattle is a great neighborhood to explore for your engagement photos! I met Hannah + Ayo on a warm fall afternoon and we strolled through the streets of Ballard to do exactly that. I love going on these walking tours of the city with my couples when shooting their engagement photos. We just pick a town to meet up in, with no set plans, and no shoot list. Then we talk, hang out, and explore the city.

One of my favorite reasons for this approach with engagement photos is that it allows me to get to know my couples on a much more personal level. Instead of preparing to meet their photographer for a formal engagement photoshoot with tons of pressure and a required shoot list; they get to spend their day the same as they would if they were hanging out with a close friend!

I have to admit, we were particularly lucky on the day we met. It was an unseasonably warm fall day in the PNW. The aftermath of the wildfires was gone and the skies were clear. Aside from the beautiful weather, there just so happened to be a fall farmers market going on in Ballard. There were tons of small business owners set up around the neighborhood.

With their stands up and their doors wide open, we were welcomed in with open arms at every turn. A local artist, Robert Keil, also invited us into their studio (Keil Studio). Allowing us to capture a few photos with their beautiful neutral walls as our backdrop. The decor and vibe of the gallery were full of so much personality. So naturally, we jumped at the chance to stop in! Our engagement photo tour around Ballard continued with a stop at Ballard Coffee Works, the Ballard Inn, and the historic Majestic Bay Theatre.

During the planning process, I spoke with Hannah + Ayo about wardrobe choices for their session. They wanted to lean into the season with their attire and we talked about different colors and textures that would work well for their shoot. Let me tell you, Hannah did her homework! For part of the shoot, she wore a beautiful velour orange wrap dress. That dress looks like it was made just for this session! It made everything pop and it really evoked the feeling of fall in each and every one of their photos.

Hannah + Ayo’s elopement-style wedding will be happening in just a few short weeks, and I could not be more excited. We will be hiking into Rattlesnake Ledge, along with their family and friends, where they will become husband and wife. Rattlesnake Ledge is a popular location in the PNW for couples looking to plan an adventurous elopement. I’m hoping to share some behind-the-scenes of their wedding on Instagram. Come find me @capturedbycandacephoto!