There are some senior sessions that feel like they were sprinkled with a little extra magic, and Myla’s Tipsoo Lake adventure was absolutely one of them. As a high school senior photographer based in Oregon—but always, always ready to travel for a stunning location—this session had everything I love:

Warm sunshine, mountain air, vibrant wildflowers, and a senior who radiates pure joy.

We scheduled Myla’s session for August, which is one of the most beautiful times to visit Tipsoo Lake in Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park. The weather blessed us with a perfectly warm and sunny day, and the wildflowers were at peak vibrancy—exactly what Myla had been dreaming of for her senior photos. Tipsoo Lake is one of those places where you turn a corner and the entire landscape feels like a quilt of color. It’s breathtaking every single time, and it was the perfect backdrop for Myla’s soft, adventurous, editorial-inspired session.

A Little Hiking, a Little Sunshine, and a Lot of Flowers

We started with a short hike along the Tipsoo Peak Trail. It’s not a long trail, but wow, does it pack a punch when it comes to views. Myla hiked with total ease—even in the warm August sun—stopping every now and then to admire the sweeping mountain vistas and thick clusters of lupine, paintbrush, and daisies swaying in the breeze.

There was this moment where she paused mid-trail and said, “This is exactly what I was hoping for.” And she meant it. Everywhere we looked, the colors were bold and bright—purples, reds, yellows—and the meadows felt like they were glowing.

After hiking and getting those gorgeous mountain-view portraits, we headed back to the lake for a quick dinner break. One of my favorite things about adventure senior sessions is how relaxed they can feel. Eating snacks on the tailgate, chatting about Myla’s college plans, watching the light soften over the water—those in-between moments bring out the best smiles.

A True Disney-Style Moment

And then it happened. The kind of moment you couldn’t plan if you tried.

We were making our way back toward the lake when a deer quietly appeared on the trail—not far from us at all. It slowly walked toward Myla, completely unbothered, like it had wandered straight out of a Disney movie. Myla’s eyes lit up, and we both just froze in that soft, awe-filled silence that happens when nature decides to show off a little.

I snapped a few photos as the deer passed, and those images became some of Myla’s absolute favorites from the whole day. It felt like the mountains were giving her a sweet little “happy senior year” gift.

Want Your Own Wildflower Senior Photo Session?

If you’ve been dreaming of colorful wildflower fields, mountain views, and a senior session that feels like an adventure, Tipsoo Lake (or countless other wildflower-heavy spots in Oregon and Washington!) might be the perfect fit. Wildflower season is short and incredibly popular—so if this sounds like your vibe, reach out soon to book your own wildflower senior photo experience.

Love flowers, but don’t want to travel so far? Check out these other flower farms that are closer to Salem, Oregon!