A Jeep, the open road, and the softest light of summer
Some sessions are about posing. Others are about moving — chasing light, laughing out the window, and feeling like the only two people in the world. That’s exactly what Nicki and Jake did during their golden hour car adventure session at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.
Letting the Landscape Lead
We met near Timberline Lodge on a warm summer evening, when the light starts to turn gold and the whole mountain begins to glow. Nicki and Jake pulled up in their Jeep, windows down, music low, the kind of energy that says: “We’re here for the ride.”
No big agenda. Just exploring mountain roads, finding unexpected pull-offs, and letting the view do its thing.
And then the light hit.
The clouds cleared just enough to give us that perfect alpenglow on Mount Hood — a soft, pink haze washing over the summit, turning every frame into something otherworldly. They held each other in that light like time slowed down.
Why Adventure Sessions Work
Adventure sessions aren’t about getting from Point A to Point B. They’re about making room for real connection — and letting the setting tell part of your story. We moved between patches of wildflowers, soft gravel roads, and wide-open overlooks, always chasing that next glimmer of light before it dipped behind the ridge.
With Timberline Lodge as the backdrop and Mount Hood towering above, it felt like we had the entire mountain to ourselves.
For Couples Who Want Something Different
If you’re craving something more than the usual couple’s shoot — something free-spirited, playful, a little rugged — an adventure session like this is it. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, engagement, or just the phase of life you’re in, a golden hour drive into the mountains is a beautiful way to mark it.
And if you’re not sure where to go? I’ve got lots of location recommendations around Mount Hood, on both the Oregon and Washington sides — places like Trillium Lake, Lolo Pass, or even the quiet hills above White Salmon and Underwood, WA.
Tips for Your Own Mount Hood Adventure Session
- Aim for golden hour — the light up here is soft, cinematic, and totally magical
- Don’t be afraid to drive a little — some of the best spots are just off the road
- Dress comfortably — and bring layers, even in summer
- Be present — the photos will reflect how you felt, not just how you looked
A Jeep, a View, and the Kind of Light You Don’t Forget
Nicki and Jake’s evening on Mount Hood wasn’t just a photoshoot — it was a celebration of movement, love, and light. And with the last of the alpenglow fading behind the peak, they headed down the mountain the same way they arrived: together, windows down, full of that golden-hour kind of joy.
Let’s dream up your adventure session together :))
