Personal: Looyenga Family Goes to North Cascades National Park

One of my goals coming into this summer wasn’t just to capture incredible wedding images or family photos (although that certainly was a goal) it was also to spend more time outside, doing things that I love, with the people that I love. That of course, means being with my family. So when we found a small gap of time in July, we decided to head out and camp for two nights in the North Cascades National Park, which was a park none of us had been to. The trip was much shorter than I had hoped, but absolutely beautiful in so many ways.

Personal: Hiking in the Mountains of North Idaho at Sunrise

Most people don’t do sunrise hikes - or have ever done them. I’m telling you, you’re missing out. While I absolutely love sunset, and I love being at weddings, and getting to know people, and capturing the emotions of people in some of the best parts of their lives, I also love this. Nature. The warm glow of the sun just before it crests the horizon. There are moments up in the mountains that can feel surreal, and you can spend the whole time just looking out going “wow”. It’s not really something that can be put into words, just as emotion always seems to be lacking a word that truly fits it.

Personal: Trip To Mt. Rainier National Park With My Oldest Son

When I was a kid, my father took me on a camping trip - just him and I - when I turned 11. He did that with me and all of my brothers. So of course, as my oldest son (Isaiah) got closer and closer to that age, I was talking with my wife about this particular trip. Setting aside photographing weddings and engagements for a bit, and just spending a couple of quality days with him I felt was well worth it. I wanted it to be special, just some great times with both him and I. Consider how great of a time I had at Rainier National Park last time I went, it was one of my top choices for taking Isaiah. We ended up getting a great spot at Cougar Rock Campground inside the park, just 20 minutes from Paradise.

Personal: Looyenga Family Goes White Water Rafting with ROW Adventures

So about a week ago my family and I had the huge opportunity to go white water rafting with the incredible people over at Row Adventures. I didn’t do this for work, I did it for fun, so all these photos are way less focused on what Row has to offer, and way more focused on my family, and the amazing people that made the experience. Because it was amazing people that made that experience.

Personal: Looyenga Family Photos

So every year I take pictures of my family. Not just the four of us (five, if you count our dog) but my parents, brothers and sisters and all the people that come with them. It is normally one of the hardest shoots i’ll do every year, because no one has a hard time complaining to their brother. This year, luckily it all went very smoothly (minus a brief moment my own children decided it was a good time to have a breakdown). I hope you love the photos!

Personal: Wedding Photographer Goes to Arizona/Utah

Early last November I had the opportunity to fly down to Arizona to do some family photos for the Fischers. To say it was awesome would be an understatement. Not only was it so great to see them, but catching up with them and talking with them was another huge highlight of my trip. That said, before that photo shoot ever took place my incredible wife Crystal and I flew down a couple days early to explore the area a little more. These photos are part of what I got from that adventure.

PersonalBrent LooyengaMarch 23, 2023Personal Photos, Arizona, Utah, Hiking

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Brent Looyenga is a Spokane wedding photographer based IN SPOKANE WASHINGTON and Coeur d’Alene Idaho area. He loves people and specializes in wedding, engagement, family and senior photography. You can like Looyenga Photography on Facebook or follow them on Instagram.