Beach & Coastal Vibes
When clients ask for beach photos around Seattle, their first thought is usually Alki Beach or Golden Gardens. But as a photographer, I almost always suggest looking a bit further north along the Sound.
If you want stunning views of the Olympics, wide water horizons, and—most importantly—the space to actually relax without having a crowd of people in the background of every frame, these three spots are my absolute favorites.
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park (Mukilteo)
Why I Love It: It’s super versatile. You have a neat little park area right around the lighthouse for clean, green backdrop shots, and then you’re just steps away from the beach. Plus, having the ferries constantly crossing the water in the background adds a really fun, dynamic PNW detail to the photos.
I’ve featured photos here shot in different weather conditions and lighting—from bright, sunny days with harsh light to soft, overcast skies—so you can see how stunning this spot looks no matter the conditions.
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park (Shoreline)
Why I Love It: What makes this beach special is the terrain. You get this incredible elevated view of the mountains and the Sound right from the top, which looks insane at sunset. Then you drive down to the water, where you have long stretches of sand, driftwood, and way fewer people in your background compared to spots like Golden Gardens.
Note: The photos above were taken in different weather conditions and at various times of day—from bright, direct sun to moody, overcast skies—so you can see how versatile this location really is.
Carkeek Park (Seattle)
Why I Love It: Carkeek gives you two completely different backdrops in one session. You walk through a dense green forest path, cross over the railroad tracks on the footbridge, and land right on a quiet pebble beach.
Above you’ll find a mix of photos taken under different lighting and weather. I wanted to show how dynamic Carkeek is—capturing everything from direct sunlight to overcast skies and rainy moments, so you know exactly what to expect, rain or shine.
