I've only lived in Anacortes for a little over a year, but I've already fallen in love with the area so much! It has the feeling of a small town without being disconnected from everything you need. However, my favorite thing about Anacortes is the sheer amount of accessible photoshoot locations that are drop dead gorgeous! Whether you're a fellow photographer or a couple/family looking for a location for their next photoshoot, I would love to pass along my knowledge.
You can easily do two of these locations in one session because most of them are within the Deception Pass State Park.
The places I'll be showing you:
BOWMAN BAY TRAIL
DECEPTION PASS BRIDGE
GOOSE SUMMIT HIKING TRAILS
ROSARIO BEACH
ROSARIO HEAD
WASHINGTON PARK OVERLOOK
NORTH BEACH
If you see a spot that you would love to have your photos taken at, reach out here so I can capture them for you!
bowman bay trail
Bowman Bay Trail is a great option for you forest lovers. It's an easy walk between Rosario Beach and Bowman Bay that will give you plenty to work with. There are breathtaking spots like the spot in the photo above, along with tree lined paths that will make you feel like you're in the middle of the woods. Not only will you get great photos, but you'll have an amazing view of the water as you enjoy your walk from one end to the other. Park at either Bowman Bay or Rosario Beach and take advantage of those locations as well while you are there. There will be some light hiking on the walk between Bowman Bay and Rosario Beach, so wear appropriate shoes.
deception pass bridge
This spot is no secret. It's one of the most photogenic bridges in Western Washington and it's so easily accessible! There are parking spots on either side of the bridge, and you can walk underneath to explore the area further. I love finding an open spot to get the breathtaking view of the bridge in the background of the shot. This spot can get overcrowded with people, so it's best to visit in the morning or during the week. However, there's so much room to explore that you can most likely always find a pocket of space to work with.
goose summit hiking trails
If you need somewhere to hide from the rain, this is a great spot to stay somewhat dry. You'll have towering trees on either side of the trail while still having views of the water. The trails go on up, so if you're the adventurous type, I encourage you to check out Goose Summit. It's a magical place that feels like you're inside of a fairytale. However, if you don't want to go hiking, you can easily stay on the beginning of the trails and explore the beautiful foliage.
The trails begin right under the Deception Pass bridge so you can easily combine those two locations without having to move your car.
rosario beach
I used to walk right by this spot because Rosario Head is just a few steps away, but it's a location that you shouldn't overlook. There is a beach with loads of driftwood, rock formations in the water, grassy fields, a dock, picnic tables, and rustic wooden fences. It's the kind of place that people use to brag about Washington because it's that pretty. It feels comfortable and safe here with unlimited possibilities for photos. Lots of people with dogs come through and spend time just staring out at the water.
rosario head
This was the very first photoshoot location I discovered her when I was still living down near Seattle. I would make the drive a few times a year and it was always so worth it. I was obsessed from the very first time I came here, and I can't get over the fact that it's an easy 15 minutes from my house now! This location is so versatile that I don't think I will ever get tired of shooting here. Once you pass by Rosario Beach, you get to walk up the short hill up to the grassy covered hills that overlook the water. The last couple I photographed here said "I feel like we're in Scotland right now!" and that's how I feel every time. It's an expansive space with gorgeous views of the water that you can get from all angles. Each time I go here, I discover a new area that I fall in love with.
washington park overlook
Washington Park is an area that I discovered recently and I cannot wait to explore it more this summer! Not only is this overlook insanely gorgeous, but the drive to get there makes me giddy every time. It has so many nooks and crannies that I imagine shooting in that would be so beautiful. The tree lined road with the water peeking through gives me California vibes and I can't get enough of it. There is a campground here so if you have a sick van or cute car setup, this would be a perfect spot to show that off. The trails just keep on going down to the water, but if you want to avoid having to walk back uphill, then you can still get amazing views from the top.
north beach
North Beach is still part of Deception Pass State Park. This park is massive! You can hike down to this beach from the bridge, but it's much easier to drive the few minutes to park in the campground that is nearby. This location has three main parts that I love to utilize: the smaller part of the beach closer to the bridge, the cliff accessible from the parking lot, and the bigger part of the beach on the other side of the cliff. Not only will you have a rocky beach to work with, but there are patches of towering trees on both parts of the beach so you can still get some of those stereotypical PNW looking photos.
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