Downtown Seattle: Pike Place Market & the Waterfront

Why I love these two locations for Family & Senior Photography

I am a city girl through and through. Don’t get me wrong, I love the forest and the mountains. They are where I go to escape, and don’t even get me started on my love for the beach; sand in my toes, the crashing of the waves sounding like a symphony, but the hustle and bustle of the great urban city centers of this country have always delighted me.

I wasn’t born here. I was born in the 2nd largest city in America — Los Angeles— but when I was 12, the tech industry called my family to Washington, and from the moment I set foot in Pike Place Market, I fell in love. And not just the visit occasionally to get out of my suburban monotony love, but live in the city for over a decade and still feel the pangs and romantic draw to return kind of love.

There is something so endearing about Seattle, and I will tell you why Pike Place Market and the Waterfront are two of my favorite places to photograph local families and high school seniors.

Urban Lifestyle Photography

Urban lifestyle photography is so great for families and high school seniors for a number of reasons:

1. Seattle offers a number of interesting and unique backdrops from historic brick buildings and sleek modern architecture to mural walls, street art, and beautiful open-air markets. This variety lends itself well to showing off your unique style and vibe.

2. Urban settings infuse sessions with a kind of vibrance and energy that is unmatched. This dynamic atmosphere can uniquely capture the spirit and individuality of your high school senior and the close-knit bonds within a family.

3. The urban atmosphere of Downtown and the Market has a contemporary feel that gives your high school graduation photos or family session a sense of excitement and liveliness.

At Home in the City

I lived in Seattle for over a decade, and I love the variety it offers to my art. In fact, I started really getting into the art of photography on the streets of Downtown Seattle, so it’s one of the places I feel the most connected to in my art.

1. Most of the settings in Downtown Seattle provide a modern and trendy aesthetic that appeals to high school seniors looking for stylish and up-to-date graduation photos. The sleek lines of this cityscape and its fashionable urban vibe can give photos a fresh and contemporary feel.

2. But the city also lends itself well to photos that feel authentic and candid. The hustle and bustle of Seattle can create opportunities for candid shots, capturing genuine moments and interactions. These spontaneous moments often result in more natural and heartfelt photographs.

3. I love how I get to express myself artistically in the city. Downtown Seattle and Pike Place give me an opportunity to play with light, shadows, reflections, and architectural lines created by buildings and other structures. This creative potential can result in striking and visually interesting images that your family and graduate will cherish forever.

4. You get to showcase yourself more artistically, too. Most of my high school seniors and families who choose an urban location are artsy, just like me. They can express their personal styles more vividly in an urban setting. Whether through fashion choices, poses, or locations that hold personal significance, this urban environment supports who they are better than forests, parks, and fields do.

5. One of the coolest things about photography in the city is that it can highlight the unity and strength of the family bond in a constantly changing, fast-paced environment. It showcases how families navigate the urban landscape together, reinforcing a sense of togetherness.

6. And for graduating seniors, urban settings can symbolize growth, independence, and the transition to adulthood. Downtown can serve as a metaphor for new beginnings and future goals and dreams to come.

The City Aesthetic

1. Downtown Seattle is easily accessible for people with just a little bit of know-how (which I provide in the pre-session communication). Seattle, especially the Waterfront, offers numerous, easily accessible locations, reducing the need for extensive travel. This convenience can be especially beneficial for families with young children, adults or children with mobility issues, or busy high school seniors. There are so many different backdrops in such a small area, and with easy access to parking, elevators, and paved streets, getting to each location takes less time and energy.

2. Urban backdrops still look incredible, even when it rains. Pike Place Market and the Seattle Waterfront areas provide more sheltered spots for photography, which can be advantageous in inclement weather. Because let’s face it, weather is a big concern in Seattle. Covered walkways, indoor spaces, and diverse environments allow for successful photo sessions regardless of the weather conditions. And they also provide for a really great backdrop with a cute umbrella or chic rain jacket!

So, as you can see, I love the city. I am super enthusiastic about urban lifestyle photography because it is great for families and high school seniors alike. It offers dynamic and varied backdrops, a contemporary and trendy aesthetic, symbolic significance, practical benefits, and numerous creative opportunities. All of this comes together to create memorable and meaningful photographs that capture important life moments and personal stories.

Let me know what you think about my location blogs. And let me know which location you’d love to see next!

Drop a comment below or contact me today:

Some other Seattle urban-vibe locations to consider:

• Volunteer Park

• Pioneer Square

Ready to book your senior or family session? Follow the links below to each offering page:

• Family Sessions by Katie Niemer Photography

• Senior Sessions by Katie Niemer Photography