A GUIDE FOR ALL MEGAN MONTALVO PHOTOGRAPHY COUPLES

THE LOCATION GUIDE

NOT SURE WHAT'S YOUR PERFECT PNW GEM?

USE THE GUIDE BELOW TO HELP NARROW DOWN THE RIGHT SPOT FOR YOUR SHOOT.

I. MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

II. NORTH BEND / SNOQUALMIE / Cle Elum

v. OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

ViI. WASHINGTON COAST

VI8I. OREGON COAST

ix. THE DESERT

X. SEATTLE

Xi. LOCAL LOCATIONS - OLYMPIA - TACOMA

As you start to plan for your shoot, you will need to start brainstorming about location ideas. I LOVE it when couples pick a location that is special or sentimental to them in some way! As long as the light is great, I can make ANY location look awesome! Don't be afraid to be different...even though most of my session are showing off the PNW, I can photograph in your home, your favorite coffeeshop, downtown, wherever! Below are some of my traditional PNW locations but I'm open to traveling anywhere or researching the perfect spot! When choosing the right location for reasons other than sentiment, find an overall FEEL that inspires you. Light, weather and season can drastically change the appearance of an environment so please keep that in mind!

Quick Links:

XiI. OTHER LOCATIONS / WISH LIST

III. MOUNT St. HELENS

vi. North Cascades

XiII. SEASONAL UNIQUE LOCATIONS

Iv. MOUNT Baker

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 2-3 HOURS

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 2 HOURS

III. HIKING TIME | OPTIONAL

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | Weather dependent

V. PARKING PASS | NATIONAL PARK PASS

VI. NOTeS | TIRE CHAINS REQUIRED | NOV.1 - May.1

VII. SEASONS | SNOW MELTS IN JUNE / WILDFLOWERS PEAK IN AUGUST / FALL COLORS SEPT-OCT / SNOW BEGINS AS EARLY AS MID-SEPT BUT MORE LIKELY OCT.

PARADISE SIDE

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mount rainier

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 2-2.5 HOURS

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 2-3 HOURS

III. HIKING TIME | OPTIONAL

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | YES - sunrise closes winters (TBD OCT-MAY)

V. PARKING PASS | NATIONAL PARK PASS

VI. NOTeS | TIRE CHAINS REQUIRED | NOV.1 - May.1

VII. SEASONS | SNOW MELTS IN JUNE / WILDFLOWERS PEAK IN AUGUST / FALL COLORS SEPT-OCT / SNOW BEGINS AS EARLY AS MID-SEPT BUT MORE LIKELY OCT.

SUNRISE SIDE

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mount rainier

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 2 HOURS

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 2 HOURS

III. HIKING TIME | OPTIONAL

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | YES - sunrise closes winters

V. PARKING PASS | NATIONAL PARK PASS

VI. NOTeS | TIRE CHAINS REQUIRED | NOV.1 - May.1

VII. SEASONS | SNOW MELTS IN JUNE / WILDFLOWERS PEAK IN AUGUST / FALL COLORS SEPT-OCT / SNOW BEGINS AS EARLY AS MID-SEPT BUT MORE LIKELY OCT.

TIPSOO LAKE

explore

mount rainier

Tolmie Peak Lookout Hike | High rock lookout

Grand View Hike

Paradise hiking trails

sunrise hiking trails | Boroughs mountain

click here to check out wta.org for all trails in rainier

HIKING LOCATIONS + WISH LIST

explore

mount rainier

Alder Lake

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 1.5 HOUR

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 1.30 - 1.5 hours

III. HIKING TIME | none

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO

V. PARKING PASS | none

VI. NOTeS | very different looks per season - water high from july-sept

VII. SEASONS | normal

Alder Lake

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outside of ashville near rainier's entrance

SNOQUALMIE PASS

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 1 HOUR

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 1.30 - 1.45 hours

III. HIKING TIME | 5 minutes - winter 20 mins

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO

V. PARKING PASS | NATIONAL PARK PASS, snow pass in winter

VI. NOTeS | winter requires traction / snow shoes

VII. SEASONS | normal

Gold Creek Pond

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snoqualmie pass, wa

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 1.5 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 2 hours

III. HIKING TIME | 5 minutes - winter 20 mins

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO

V. PARKING PASS | n/a

VI. NOTeS | winter requires traction / snow shoes

VII. SEASONS | normal

KACHESS LAKE

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snoqualmie pass, wa

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 1 - 1.5 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 1.5 - 2 hours

III. HIKING TIME | 5 minutes - winter 20 mins

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | YES

V. PARKING PASS | n/a

VI. NOTeS | winter requires traction / snow shoes

VII. SEASONS | normal

Middle fork

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snoqualmie pass, wa

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 45 min

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 1.15 hours

III. HIKING TIME | 5 minutes

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO but some seasons are more ideal / less muddy

V. PARKING PASS | N/a

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | normal

MOUNT SI + RIVERBEND

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snoqualmie pass, wa

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 45min - 1 HOUR

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 1.15 - 1.45 hours

III. HIKING TIME | 5 minutes to lake | 4 miles 1200 elev. rt for ledge

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO

V. PARKING PASS | N/a

VI. NOTeS | winter requires traction

VII. SEASONS | normal

Rattlesnake LEDGE OR lake

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north bend, wa

Cle Elum

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 2 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 2 - 2.5 hours

III. HIKING TIME | n/a

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | RARELY

V. PARKING PASS | N/A

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | normal

suncadia

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cle elum

Mount St. Helens

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 3 - 3.5 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 2 - 2.5 hours

III. HIKING TIME | flexbile

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | winter road closures

V. PARKING PASS | national park

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | snow melts in april, wildflowers bloom in may

mount st. helens

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castle rock, wa

North Cascades

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 2.5 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 3.5 - 4 hours

III. HIKING TIME | flexible

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | with weather conditions

V. PARKING PASS | National park

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | normal

Diablo Lake

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north cascades

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 2.5 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 3.5 - 4 hours

III. HIKING TIME | flexible

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | with weather conditions

V. PARKING PASS | National park

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | normal

Newhalem Campground

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north cascades

Mount Baker

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 3+ HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 4+ hours

III. HIKING TIME | Depends on season 10 min - 3 miles

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | hike in only unless summer

V. PARKING PASS | National park

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | snow common early oct.

artist point

explore

mount baker

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 3 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 4 hours

III. HIKING TIME | 10 min - 30 min

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | yes

V. PARKING PASS | National park

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | high elevation early snow

heatheR Meadows

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mount baker

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 3 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 4 hours

III. HIKING TIME | flexible

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | with weather conditions

V. PARKING PASS | National park

VI. NOTeS | **I really only recommend this location during a snow season - it's extremely limited and crowded otherwise

VII. SEASONS | high elevation early snow

Picture Lake

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mount baker

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 3 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 4 hours

III. HIKING TIME | flexible

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | n/a

V. PARKING PASS | National park

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | lower elevation / normal

HORSESHOE BEND TRAIL

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mount baker

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 2 - 2.5 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 1 hour

III. HIKING TIME | n/a

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO unless road closes for weather

V. PARKING PASS | discover pass / $5 day fee if using park

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | normal

LAKE CUSHMAN

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olympic np

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 3 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 3 HOURS

III. HIKING TIME | none to lake / 15 min to waterfall / 4 miles rt for snow king mountain

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO

V. PARKING PASS | n/a

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | normal

CRESCENT LAKE

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olympic np

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 3-3.5 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 3 hours

III. HIKING TIME | non required unless desired

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | road / construction closures only

V. PARKING PASS | NATIONAL PARK PASs

VI. NOTeS | winter requires traction / snow shoes

VII. SEASONS | SNOW MELTS IN JUNE / WILDFLOWERS PEAK IN AUGUST / FALL COLORS SEPT-OCT / SNOW BEGINS AS EARLY AS MID-SEPT BUT MORE LIKELY OCT.

Hurricane ridge

explore

olympic np

WASHINGTON COAST

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 3.5 - 4 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 2.5 hours

III. HIKING TIME | 5 minutes

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO

V. PARKING PASS | NATIONAL PARK PASS

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | normal

Ruby Beach

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olympic np

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 3.5 - 4 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 3.5 hours

III. HIKING TIME | 5 minutes - 2 miles depending

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO

V. PARKING PASS | NATIONAL PARK PASs

VI. NOTeS | n/a - hike only required to "hole in wall"

VII. SEASONS | normal

RIAlto Beach

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forks / olympic np

OREGON COAST

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 4 - 6 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 3 - 5 hours

III. HIKING TIME | 5 minutes

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO

V. PARKING PASS | TBD

VI. NOTeS | please contact for specific beach info

VII. SEASONS | normal

the orgeon coast

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photos vary locations

The DESERT

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 2 - 2.5 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 2.5 - 3 hours

III. HIKING TIME | none - 20 mins

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO

V. PARKING PASS | discover pass / day fee $5

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | desert

Vantage

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olympic np

I. TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE | 5.5 - 6.5 HOURs

II. TRAVEL FROM OLYMPIA | 4.5 - 5.5 hours

III. HIKING TIME | n/a-15 min

IV. SEASONAL CLOSURES | NO

V. PARKING PASS | NATIONAL PARK PASS

VI. NOTeS | n/a

VII. SEASONS | desert

Smith rock state park

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bemd, oregon

SEATTLE LOCATIONS

discover park

golden gardens park

pike's place market

volunteer park conservatory

around seattle

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seattle, wa

LOCAL LOCATIONS: OLY - Tacoma

burfoot park

DOWNTOWN OLYMPIA OR CAPITAL AREA

mima mounds

point defiance park

priest point park

studio

TOLMIE STATE PARK

double 4 tree farm

THE SOUTH SOUND

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olympia - tacoma

I. Located in olympia, wa

II. PARKING PASS | N/A

Burfoot Park

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olympia

I. Located in olympia, wa

II. PARKING PASS | metered parking

downtown olympia + State Capital

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olympia

I. Located in tacoma, wa

II. PARKING PASS | n/a

double 4 tree farm

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tacoma

I. Located in olmpyia, wa

II. PARKING PASS | Discover pass

mima mounds

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olympia

I. Located in Tacoma, wa

II. PARKING PASS | N/A

POINT DEFIANCE PARK

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tacoma

I. Located in olympia, wa

II. PARKING PASS | N/A

Priest point park

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olympia

I. Located in Lakewood, wa

II. PARKING PASS | N/A

studio

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lakewood

I. Located in olmypia, wa

II. PARKING PASS | N/A

tolmia state park

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olympia

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MEGAN MONTALVO PHOTOGRAPHY

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MEGAn montalvo is a destination engagement, elopement and intimate ADVENTURE wedding photographer based in the Pacific northwest out of Black Diamond, washington. frequently serving the following locations: olympia, tacoma, seattle, portland, mount rainier, olympic national park, North Cascades and all destinations world wide.

Trust your intuition & forge your own path.

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