Capturing Nature’s Illusions: A Photographic Journey Through Deception Pass State Park’s Wild Coast

Steps to Organize a Deception Pass Photo Session

1) Compile a list of your priorities

The initial task is to establish your list of priorities. What matters most to you? Is it the date, the scenery, solitude, or capturing the ideal image? After securing my services as your photographer, I’m eager to assist in developing a plan that encompasses all your requirements! Share your foremost priority, and we’ll structure our approach around that. For instance: if you seek a very particular view as the backdrop for your photographs, I can recommend the precise time of day and date that is most likely to generate those exact conditions.

2) Select a date

If you have a specific date in mind for your photos, this might be the first step you take. Most couples reach out to me with a general date range (for example: sometime during the spring) and I then propose a date that best corresponds with their preferences. For privacy in a state park, I advise visiting during the off-peak season (October-April) and steering clear of holidays. Weekdays tend to be calmer than weekends, and mornings are generally less crowded than afternoons. The times for sunset and sunrise will also influence the ambiance of your images, so I recommend heeding my advice on which times of day yield the most favorable conditions for photos.

3) Pick a location

My favorite sites for photography within Deception Pass State Park are listed above. However, the choice between them will depend on factors such as how far you’re willing to hike, if you are uncomfortable with heights (as some of these trails run along steep cliffs), and any accessibility needs you may have. There’s one trail in the park that accommodates wheelchairs, and a few others are classified as “easy” while some trails are more challenging. Selecting a more difficult trail does not always guarantee superior views compared to an easier option, but it often provides greater solitude.

4) Secure any bookings or reservations

Deception Pass State Park does not mandate any special permits for casual couple photos or engagement shots taken here. If you’re doing nothing beyond what any other visitor might do, it’s quite similar to trekking with a friend who has a camera. However, if you plan to elope or hold a ceremony, a special use permit is necessary.

Should you intend to utilize Deception Pass as the location for your wedding or elopement, I suggest contacting the state park promptly to confirm whether a permit is necessary. If it’s just the two of you eloping, a permit may not be required, but it’s always considerate to provide notice since the trend of outdoor weddings rises, and thus more resources can be allocated to maintaining these areas in pristine condition!

Washington State Parks-Northwest Region Office

220 N. Walnut St.
Burlington, WA 98233
(360) 755-9231
Phone hours: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday