Garrett and Sarah eloped 10 years ago and made a promise to each other that they would celebrate their 10 year milestone in a much bigger way when the time came. For years, Sarah dreamed of wearing a gorgeous gown and hiking along the coast with her love and having it beautifully documented. This year, Garrett and Sarah (and Calla too) celebrated their 10 year wedding anniversary and together made that long-time dream a reality when we trekked out to the misty shores of Second Beach so they renew their wedding vows and capture the photos that Sarah had always dreamed of.

This was that day and it was nothing like we had planned. The forecast called for sun, but it rained, the beach was littered with hikers and campers, tents and bonfires lined the beach, we had many little hiccups along the way and our shoot ended abruptly with a family emergency towards the end. Despite the circumstances, this was a family adventure like no other and it resulted in some of my favorite photographs to date. I won't attempt to explain the full story (I don't think I could even if I tried), but I will just leave you with a selection of photos that help tell that story. I'm so grateful for the time that I got to spend with this awesome little family and for the opportunity to document such a special memory for them. I asked Sarah to share her feedback about their experience and here is what she had to say. :)

“Ten years ago when my husband and I eloped, we promised we would do something big to celebrate the milestone later on. All I really wanted was to get dressed up, hike along the pacific coast with our daughter, and renew our vows... so that’s exactly what we did. We found Danielle Lentz online and after viewing her portfolio we knew that her style and aesthetic was exactly what we were looking for – bonus that she is a local, Snohomish photographer!

From the start, Danielle was a true professional and very easy to connect with. We decided on La Push for our destination and she helped us in planning out the logistics for the day. The funny thing is, plans rarely go according to plan… our family arrived late to the campsite, we rushed to get ready, and the weather was not what hoped for. I had a low-key meltdown on the beach, feeling everything was a just a mess. Through it all, Danielle’s sweet and positive attitude kept us encouraged that we would get the photos we were hoping for, despite the complications along the way. She was patient, flexible, calm, and reminded us that we were on an adventure. She helped us relax and stay comfortable, which was significant considering we had never taken family photos before – and it can feel a little awkward at times!

When we received the gallery with our photos a few weeks later, we were truly blown away. Danielle has such a great eye for capturing the moment, and it comes across so beautifully in her photos. She made this dream of ours come to life! I have shared the gallery with friends and family and received so many compliments – Danielle’s work is simply stunning. Looking back on the day, I realize that it was intimate, adventurous, silly, romantic, chaotic, and very, very lovely. Danielle, you are a gem. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!”

— Sarah Hallmark