Engagement Sessions

Colorful Seattle Engagement Session

May 27th, 2013 Crystal Madsen Photography & Engagement Sessions.

Since I began my career as a wedding photographer, I had been wanting to shoot a colorful Seattle engagement session such as this one! When I learned that Amy and Dan were game for hitting all of the popular sites that Seattle has to offer, I think I could have done a back flip (if I could physically do one). I had plans to attend a photography seminar that weekend in Seattle and it just so perfectly happened that Amy and Dan were available to meet up the Saturday night before.
We met at Pikes Place Market with wonderful 74 degree weather, which made the market buzzing alive with tourists. This presented a couple of obstacles during our shoot, but also offered great potential for creating energetic engagement photos in the heart of Seattle. Once we captured photos from Post Alley, the market sign, and the all-famous Seattle gum wall we drove to The Seattle Center to help document the memory of their proposal at the Space Needle. Have I shared one of my shooting weaknesses with you? I can’t stop. If I see an awesome location, or if I see the sun hitting my subject in the most flattering way…I have to keep shooting until I fulfill my creative ideas. I felt that way not only at the Seattle Center, but all over the city. Right next to the Space Needle is the Experience Music Project Museum. We were there at the perfect time of the night where the sun was hitting the metal roof to cast the most beautiful hot pink/magenta pattern of reflections onto a set of concrete steps. We quickly learned that we could not allow the reflections to land on our skin for more than a few seconds before we began to feel a burning sensation…how intriguingly beautiful!! One of my favorite images from this engagement session!
We headed over to Gasworks Park once I had my fill of interesting objects at The Seattle Center. Since Seattle was experiencing one of the most beautiful days thus far this year, the park was packed with frisbee games, kids rolling down the hills and music beating from numerous personal sound systems peppered throughout the park. We had about 25 minutes of perfect evening sun, so we worked quickly grabbing some fun laughs under the concrete train trustles, snapped some sun peeking through the towers, and topped it off with a romantic silhouette with the Aurora Bridge behind them.
I’m not sure I could have asked for a better colorful Seattle Engagement Session. Well, I guess I can’t say I would have been disappointed if the rain would have visited us for just 5 minutes! Pike Place Market Engagement Romantic Seattle Engagement Romantic Seattle Engagement Session Beautiful Seattle Engagment
Crystal
Crystal@CrystalMasen.com
509-499-1090
114 West Pacific Ave #209
Spokane, WA 99201

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Andrea & Eric’s Outdoor Engagement Session

May 26th, 2013 Crystal Madsen Photography & Engagement Sessions.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Spokane, WA, as a photographer I can always see a photo shoot happening outdoors, no matter what time of year it is. Especially when I have an engaged couple contemplating their session options when the sun is shining and the clouds are out, there is no reason why we shouldn’t do an outdoor engagement session. It would be beautiful!! This same beauty is what my former brides-to-be experienced in their own outdoor engagement session, and are so pleased with their results that they are willing to share with others.

I think wedding referrals are such a great addition in the photography business! An engaged couple might come to me without a single idea, but when they call a former bride for a referral, they have light bulbs firing off left and right as to where to go, what to wear, and what poses they might really enjoy doing. It is a win-win for everyone! My former bride gets to relive a great experience, and my current bride-to-be gets to start seeing hers come to life.

I actually only get a handful of brides-to-be that will ask for wedding referrals, so when it happens and they follow through with it, I am ecstatic. Andrea is exactly that bride-to-be, she actually called the other brides. I was excited when she asked for this because I knew the responses she would receive from past brides would far exceed what she expected. One of the brides she spoke with was Michelle whom told Andrea about the old grange building in Greenacres that I took her and Dan to before their wedding ceremony for a few quick shots. She explained how beautiful the images turned out and immediately sold Andrea on the location for her outdoor engagement session.

On top of shooting at the grange, we headed to the western part of downtown Spokane to work with the fun shapes of the Maple St Bridge, the great architecture of the old Spokane Library on Cedar, and any other nook and cranny we found interesting. This outdoor engagement session had it all to say the least!

Rustic engagement www.CrystalMadsen.com
Crystal
509-499-1090
Crystal@CrystalMadsen.com
114 West Pacific Ave #209
Spokane, WA 99201
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Romantic Engagement In Spokane, WA

May 22nd, 2013 Crystal Madsen Photography & Engagement Sessions.

Kate and Jeff were referred to me by a mutual friend to capture their romantic engagement in Spokane, WA and it was an absolute blast to work with them. They actually live in Montana, so to be hired by an engaged couple out of state is always a compliment, especially from a referral.

I truly enjoy photographing romantic engagement sessions in Spokane, WA like these because we can go anywhere in Spokane to bring out the essence of the couple. With Kate and Jeff s we walked the west side of downtown Spokane and stopped by the Monroe St. bridge to really capture the architectural highlights of downtown along with their love for one another. The blooming of flowers and greens around the city scape added a lot of great detail and framing to this loving romantic engagement Spokane, WA. On top of the scenery, they were incredibly easy to photograph as Jeff continued to make jokes and get us all to laugh, while Kate was perfectly poise and an absolute delight to capture in the arms of her future husband.

I will be waiting in great anticipation until July, to capture their love as newlyweds as they get married at the Coeur D’Alene Resort. It will no longer be a romantic engagement in Spokane,WA, it will be romantic newlyweds in Coeur D’Alene, ID.

Makeup by Evelyn Mauro

Crystal
Crystal@CrystalMadsen.com
509-499-1090
114 W Pacific #209
Spokane, WA 99201

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April 10th, 2013 Crystal Madsen Photography & Engagement Sessions, Family Sessions, High School Seniors, Specials, Uncategorized, Weddings.

Downtown Portland Engagement Session

February 27th, 2013 Crystal Madsen Photography & Engagement Sessions.

Before we jump into the awesome images from our Downtown Portland Engagement session, I have to share a bit of history.
I met Mallory at Saint Martin’s University in 2002 where I was the starting shortstop and Mal was the starting 1st baseman. It took me a bit to warm up to Mal since she and our 2nd baseman liked to team up and make jokes about everyone else..yes you did (you too Jess)!!! I remember going home after the first few practices telling John, my fiance at the time, that I wasn’t sure how to take Mal. Was she really frickin’ funny or did she truly not like me? I found out quickly that she wasn’t just funny. She was frickin’ hilarious and I loved her for it. I actually remember looking forward to new teammates to watch her interact with them, and to see if they were as sensitive as I was (not many were). I made so many great friends during those 2 years in Lacey, WA that I am grateful to Suzanne and Mal that I get to reunite with some of them this August!!
Each time one of my college teammates make their way through Spokane, I make every effort to meet up with them. Mallory let me know she would be in the area for a Spokane Wedding and would have time to chat over coffee. Little did I know she had a friend waiting to meet me as well. During our catch-up and get-to-know each other conversation, it was revealed to me that Mal and Suzanne were recently engaged!! I think I jumped straight out of my chair and over the table to get a glimpse of the engagement ring. I couldn’t have been more excited!!!! Many of you will not be surprised when I tell you that I teared up right there in the coffee shop (and even right now as I type this). Nothing makes me happier than two people finding another person that they want to share the rest of their life with…especially my good friends. Once I was over my embarrassment of being a crybaby, I reminded Mal and Suzanne that I am a willing-and-able traveling wedding photographer. Mal informed me that they did have an ulterior motive for the meeting, which was to ask if I would be their wedding photographer in Oregon. Oh, I was so excited!! Of course I would! I handed them a pen and paper and immediately began planning.
With each of my wedding packages, I offer a free engagement session to get to know my couple a bit more and so we can all learn how to work with one another. Mal and Suzanne were no exception. They shared with me that they would really enjoy a downtown Portland engagement session to show of their personalities and style; I was more than game. Road Trip!!! They wanted to emphasize on landmarks and the amazing bridges that Portland has to offer, so I delivered! We walked the streets of downtown Portland stopping at interesting textures, colors, signs and backdrops. Our last stop was to the rusty colored Broadway Bridge where we scored a couple of my favorite photos from the photo shoot. Downtown Portland Engagement Session Black and white engagmenet photos traveling wedding photographer Downtown Portland, Oregon Engagement Same sex engagement Sexy engagement photos

Crystal
Traveling Spokane Wedding Photographer
Crystal@CrystalMadsen.com
509-499-1090
114 West Pacific Ave #209
Spokane, WA 99201
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A Winter Engagement in Spokane, WA

February 20th, 2013 Crystal Madsen Photography & Engagement Sessions.

When Chrissy and Justin met with me for their initial wedding consultation in December, they knew they wanted their winter engagement photos in the midst of lots of snow. Since our winter in the city of Spokane has been pretty mild this season, I once again suggested that we make our way up to Mt. Spokane.
We met at my studio one early Sunday morning so Chrissy could have her makeup professionally applied by Evy with Makeup By Evelyn Mauro (which I highly recommend doing for any professional photo session!!). Chrissy was super flexible and told Evy to do whatever she thought Chrissy would look best for the photos. Evy did just that. An experienced professional makeup artist like Evy not only helps your skin look radiant and glowing for your engagement or wedding photos, but they help boost your confidence as well. Just try to get your makeup done by Evy and NOT feel like the most beautiful woman walking down the street…I dare you! Unless of course you are a bridesmaid on the wedding day, then don’t you dare act like the prettiest one there!
Chrissy let me know she was super nervous for our winter engagement session because she didn’t know what to expect. I let her know that is totally typical and we will work past it! It only took us five minutes to get her and Justin cuddling up, laughing together and playing around in the snow. I would have never guessed she was nervous if she hadn’t told me…we scored some BEAUTIFUL images that would not have been possible if she hadn’t relaxed and let me direct her.
For many young engaged couples, your engagement session is the first time you will have your photos professionally taken together. Which is why I offer a free engagement session in each of my wedding packages. I cannot express enough how beneficial it is to meet and work with your wedding photographer before your wedding day. Your wedding day is already packed with expectations and emotions, why add an extra level of uneasiness when we can overcome your unfamiliarity months before?
I can guarantee Chrissy and Justin are beyond pleased that we took the time to get to know each other and had fun during our engagement session, just ask them!! Now enjoy their awesome snowy engagement photos taken on Mt Spokane Winter Engagement Spokane

Crystal Madsen
Spokane Wedding Photographer
114 West Pacific Ave #209
Spokane, WA 99201
Crystal@CrystalMadsen.com
509-499-1090
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Crystal’s 20 Favorite 2012 Engagement Photos

January 4th, 2013 Crystal Madsen Photography & Engagement Sessions.

It always seems fitting to collaborate a list of your favorites once a year comes to an end. Tonight I put together a collection of my favorite engagement photos from 2012. I found I favor black and whites, emotion, texture and interesting elements…just a little bit of everything We have a great list of images from all four seasons and a handful of couples that have so much love to show to the world. As a successful photographer in Spokane, I feel extremely honored to have met each and every one of you and I am grateful more than you know for allowing me to help capture your memories Candid Spokane Wedding Photographer Snowy Spokane Engagement Hay Barrel Engagement Creative Riverfront Engagement Under the Bridge Engagement Rainy Day Engagement Industrial Engagement Train Bridge Engagement Spokane Sunset Engagement Laughing Engagement Dramatic Sunset Surprise Spokane Proposal Romantic Engagement Poses Stunning Sunset Gorgeous Engagement Photos Engagement Photo Ideas Funny Engagement Photos Sunset Poses Lakeside Engagement A Coffee Themed Engagement Crystal Madsen Wedding Photography Winter Engagement by Top Spokane Photographer

A Romantic Coffee Picnic Engagement

November 30th, 2012 Crystal Madsen Photography & Engagement Sessions, Inspiration Shoots.

When Sarah shared with me her ideas for her engagement shoot at her wedding consultation, I was impressed with her ambition, but I had no idea what I was getting into. I assumed we would have one or two props with a blanket and that would simply be it. When I met Sarah and Nate at Finch Arboretum and saw the boxes of props, my excitement level immediately sky-rocketed!!
She had bouquets of beautiful fresh flowers sitting in vases which were accented with little burlap swatches, chocolate flavored scones, old crate boxes, burlap bags filled with coffee beans which were personalized with their wedding date and initials, Mr. & Mrs. coffee mugs, the cutest little burlap penant banner dangling in a picture frame, and so much more! You’ll have to browse at the set to see how many cool little details you can find!
Her idea derived from the process in which Nate proposed to her…by way of a trail of sticky notes leading her to her morning coffee. So not only was her coffee picnic set amazingly cute, but it held meaning and brought it to the level of romantic. We knew we wanted a park setting that had awesome fall colors so we headed to Finch and laid the plaid blanket down to let Sarah get her style on. Of course as soon as we began setting everything up, it began to rain, but there was no way we were going to let that stop us! Sarah had invested too much time & talent to go home, so she and Nate sacrificed wet pants, wet hair and watered down coffee
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy these fun and creative coffee picnic Spokane engagement photos! Candid Black and White Romantic Spokane Engagement Wrapped in a Picnic Blanket Dipping Kiss Blanket Wrapped in a Blanket Crystal Madsen Photography
crystal@crystalmadsen.com
www.CrystalMadsen.com
114 West Pacific Avenue #209
Spokane, WA 99201

Christy & Josh’s Rainy Day Engagement Photos

November 30th, 2012 Crystal Madsen Photography & Engagement Sessions.

I received a call one day from Christy’s mother inquiring about my services for Christy’s 2013 wedding. She informed me that Christy and Christy’s fiance Josh were attending school in Oregon and would not be able to meet up for quite some time, but she would love to take Christy’s place and meet with me for a consultation and consider hiring me to photograph their wedding. Needless to say, we hit it off and began planning right away!
Christy and I immediately began conversing via Facebook sharing ideas regarding their engagement session. She and Josh are both studying theater at Oregon State University so I probably don’t need to share with you their love of drama and vintage fashion. Christy knew she wanted to incorporate some of her vintage dresses in their engagement shoot and left the location up to me. I immediately knew which area of downtown Spokane I wanted to utilize to help compliment their fun and old-fashioned taste.
The beautifully restored Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox holds great detail in it’s exterior walls as well as its colorfully illuminated sign. When Christy informed me that she’d be sporting a dress made for swing dancing, I made up my mind that’s we’d be dancing in the street in front of The Fox.
Of course it’s quite rare that the stars align on the day of a photo shoot…the rain decided to present itself. And it was cold. Our fingers were red and numb, our noses were running, but we fought through it knowing we would score a killer shot utilizing the fruit of the constant drizzle. I’m a sucker for reflection photos and kept my eye out for the perfect puddle!
These two were such a hoot! They flirted, giggled, tickled and danced as if they had only been dating a week. So inspiring. Some of my favorite photos are of couples sharing a genuine laugh with one another. There was no shortage of these cherished images in this shoot. I foresee fun but stunning wedding images come July 2013!!
Umbrella and Spokane's Bridges Fun Spokane Engagement Spokane Engagement Photographer Romantic Engagement Pose Old Fashion Engagement Engaging Embrace Spokane Photographer Dancing in the Street Theatre Engagement Awesome Reflection Photo True Love Colorful Embrace Peek-a-boo Tree
Crystal
Crystal Madsen Photography
www.CrystalMadsen.com
Crystal@crystalmadsen.com
509-499-1090
114 West Pacific Avenue #209
Spokane, WA 99201

A Browne’s Addition Autumn Engagement

November 25th, 2012 Crystal Madsen Photography & Engagement Sessions, Family Sessions.

Jeremy and Nicky are two of our closest friends. When she announced to the facebook world their engagement by posting a picture of her ring, I called her immediately…which was apparently too soon because she was still emotional and couldn’t talk. I guess I should have been a bit more considerate and waited an hour or so…but I was just too excited!!!
We were already discussing scheduling a family session in the autumn season so we could capture Spokane’s awesome fall colors, so we decided to combine a family session and an engagement session!
Browne’s Addition is a National Historical District located to the west of Spokane’s city center. The well preserved neighborhood offers impressive mansions, maple tree-lined sidewalks, and even a revamped commercial district which provides a coffee shop, restaurants, and shopping. This vibrant intersection inspired me to begin our photo session right in the middle of the street using the decorated roundabout.
Another accent that the district holds in which I absolutely love are their bus stops. They’re not your normal every-day poles with a little blue sign. When you wait for a bus in Browne’s Addition you get to sit upon a wooden bench which is placed under a black ornate covering. The first time I saw one of these, I pictured a couple snuggling up together embracing and sharing kisses…which is exactly what I had Nicky and Jeremy do on our rainy autumn day.
Not only do the streets offer great photo opportunities, but there is also a gorgeous park littered with giant deciduous trees as well as evergreens. As the four of us walked the trails in the park, we had no problems finding the perfect backdrop to stop to take a photo, not to mention the perfectly painted gazebo placed in the middle of the park.
I loved documenting my friends’ love for one another and celebrating two families becoming one. Love you guys!!!
Engagement in Brownes Addition Romance Bus Stop A Walk in The Park Fall Family Photo Engaged Gazebo Group Hug Black and White Love Dipping Kiss Laughing Candids Bus Stop Romance Young Beautiful Family Falling Leaves and Love Crystal
Crystal Madsen Photography
114 West Pacific Avenue #209
Spokane, WA 99201

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