A colorful Tacoma creative portrait photography session with Kaela and the iconic Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Capturing a bright smile and a colorful personality isn’t difficult when the person in front of the camera embodies both. Sessions like this are one of the reasons I love Tacoma creative portrait photography, where individuality, expression, and great light come together to create something memorable.
We started off our shoot near 6th in Tacoma. I like to ease into sessions like this rather than jumping straight into more intentional posing. It gives space for people to settle in, get comfortable with the rhythm of being photographed, and stop thinking so much about the camera. That warm-up period takes the pressure off, and more often than not, it’s where the real personality starts to show.
With Kaela, it didn’t take long at all. Within about 15 minutes she had fully found her stride—moving between effortless laughter and more moody, expressive moments without needing much direction. That balance is what makes creative portrait sessions so rewarding. You’re not trying to force anything; you’re just responding to what’s already there.
From there, we made our way toward the Tacoma Narrows Bridge as the light began to shift. I always aim to time sessions so we catch that softer end-of-day glow, especially in open spaces where the light can really stretch and wrap around a subject. As we arrived, the sun was dipping just low enough to filter through the trees and structures around us, creating that brief window of golden light that doesn’t last long but is always worth chasing.
Standing on the bridge, the contrast of bold architecture and soft natural light created a really striking backdrop for Kaela’s colorful hair and freckled skin. It felt like everything aligned at once—the location, the light, and her energy in front of the camera.
Having your picture taken is, by nature, a little unnatural. Most people feel that at first. But when you lean into it, move around, and allow yourself to just exist in the moment, something shifts. The camera stops feeling like an interruption and starts feeling like a witness. That’s usually when the most honest images happen, and this session was a perfect example of that.
