Sunrise at Artist Point

Dec 3

A couple stands facing the camera in wedding clothes with a mountain behind them glowing in morning light.

E & D met me at sunrise at one of my favorite places to photograph in the PNW—Artist Point. It’s quite literally the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, or the hike at the end of the highway. Highway 542 ends in the most spectacular spot—just about an hour from the city of Bellingham, Washington. For the brave hearts I always recommend sunrise. It’s not for everyone, and I understand why—the cool air doesn’t quite warm up until the sun is well above the horizon, patches of snow exist year-round that make for some scrabbling ascents, and no one really likes waking up at 4 a.m.

But for those who do make it out here for sunrise, they will be rewarded with glowing colors dancing cross the faces of Kulshan and Shuksan. They will avoid the summer crowds, which make this spot more difficult to photograph in the afternoons and evenings. One things to consider if this landscape and backdrop are your dream for a wedding or elopement—the road up is only open a few months each year. From July-ish to October-ish, you can skip the 2-mile hike and drive directly up to the spot you see pictured above. Can’t get much better than that!

Three dogs, two brown and one white with brown spots, stand at the feet of their humans who just got married.

Three dogs pose for a photo in front of Mount Baker in Washington state.

Two people in wedding clothes smile at each other as they pose for a photo at sunrise.

A man in a suit and a woman in a wedding dress coax their 3 dogs to sit for treats.

Three dogs look up at their human licking their lips, while she asks them to sit and offers treats. The person is wearing a wedding dress.

A couple in wedding clothes kiss surrounded by their 3 dogs. Their image is reflected in a pond before them, creating a mirrored effect.

A portrait of a young dog, mostly white with brown spots above her eyes that look like eyebrows.

Check out more Washington elopements & weddings in the Bellingham region!

Elopement in the Hoh Rainforest | Forks, Washington

Wedding at Artist Point | Glacier, Washington

Cape Flattery Elopement | Neah Bay, Washington

A couple kiss in the golden glow of sunrise with a reflection in water creating a mirrored image of them.

A sunrise wedding outdoors at a mountain location in the North Cascades of Washington state.

A person in a white wedding dress and a denim jacket kisses a man in a dark suit.

A couple in wedding clothes look at each other with smiles. Behind them is a beautiful mountain view.

A sunbeam cuts through the middle of a photo of a couple in wedding clothes getting married in the mountains.

A wedding at Artist Point near Bellingham, Washington

A couple in wedding clothes looks at a mountain view with dramatic ridgelines.

A couple holds hands as they hike through a rocky landscape on their wedding day.

The North Cascades near Bellingham, Washington at sunrise.

Artist Point Wedding & Elopement Vendors

Photographer | Wild Coast Photography

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Hey, I’m Jenn!

Whether you’re planning a just-us elopement, or a party with all your loved ones, my photography approach is 100% tailored to YOU! My goal is that you relive the memories through images that remind you of how much FUN you had—it’s my job to ensure you feel comfortable, confident & truly seen when your picture is taken.