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A wide waterfall, known as Barbara Falls, flows over rocks in a forest. In the lower right, a person in an orange outfit stands by the water holding a light.

Barbara Falls Moody Romantic Couples Photo Session

A wide waterfall, known as Barbara Falls, flows over rocks in a forest. In the lower right, a person in an orange outfit stands by the water holding a light.

This moody, romantic couples session at Barbara Falls, in Eagle River, is one for the books! I challenged myself this year and do one creative shoot a month and absolutely loved bringing this concept to life! Magic doesn’t just happen in the mountains or with epic sweeping vistas (Alaska is well known for those!). Sometimes ducking down forest trails to the riverside is the way to go if you want to chase something different.

Alaska is famous for its epic scenery and for good reason. Mountains, glaciers, sweeping overlooks that leave you in awe… But there’s something incredibly romantic about choosing a waterfall backdrop instead. It creates its own world. Probably not ideal for a ceremony or reading vows, but as a side quest during an elopement day or the main event for an engagement session? Heck yeah! At Barbara Falls, the water roars, mist hangs in the air, and the waterfall and river just run and run and run. I wanted to lean into the after dark fairytale vibes and we timed it perfectly! Between the perfect timing for light, the added lanterns and Jackie’s dress, I think we nailed it!

What to consider when visiting Barbara Falls

Barbara Falls is one of those spots that feels intimate and cinematic all at once. If you’re thinking about visiting, there are two viewponts. You can take the main trail that takes you around to the overlook, or right before the bridge there is a little offshoot to hop down. Be careful, it can be slick depending on recent weather and how much the water is rushing! Shoes with good traction are recommended, rainboots are nifty if you want to get in the water too! It’s a little hard to hear if the water is really rushing, so there might be some miming and yelling if you’re doing a photoshoot, hah! But it’s SO worth it! It can be bear country back there so have some sort of bear protection just incase.

If you want something a little moodier, a little softer, and deeply connected to the landscape, waterfall sessions like this are totally underrated in Alaska. Ready to see some more moody magic? Scroll on!

You can also see a little behind the scenes here!

A woman in a pink dress and a man in dark clothing hold lanterns while standing on rocks near the cascading waters of Barbara Falls in a forested area.
A couple stands on rocks in front of the majestic Barbara Falls, holding lanterns and kissing, surrounded by trees and enchanting forest scenery.
A couple stands embracing beside Barbara Falls in a tranquil forest, both holding lanterns. The woman wears a long pink dress, and the man is dressed in black.
A couple stands close together, embracing and touching foreheads, beside the flowing waters of Barbara Falls in a forested area.
A woman in a pink, floral off-shoulder dress holds hands with a person in dark clothing near Barbara Falls. Both have visible tattoos, and their faces are not fully shown.
A couple stands hand in hand near Barbara Falls in a forest; the woman wears a pink gown, the man wears black, and a lantern is placed at their feet.
A woman in a pink dress twirls with a man in dark clothing near Barbara Falls, surrounded by trees and two lanterns on the ground.
A couple stands on rocks near Barbara Falls in a forest, with the woman in a pink dress and the man holding a lantern.
A man helps a woman in a pink dress holding a lantern across rocks by Barbara Falls, surrounded by a lush, forested area.
A woman in a flowing pink dress sits on a rock by Barbara Falls, holding a lit lantern, surrounded by water and lush greenery.
A woman in a flowing pink dress sits on a rock by a stream at Barbara Falls, holding a lantern, with a waterfall and trees in the background.
A person in a long pink dress stands on rocks near Barbara Falls, surrounded by trees and flowing water.
A woman in a pink dress holds a lit lantern while sitting on a rock in a stream, with the stunning Barbara Falls cascading in the background.
A woman in a pink dress and a man in dark clothing stand on rocks near Barbara Falls in a forest, holding lanterns.
A man and a woman holding lanterns walk hand in hand through a forest near Barbara Falls, following the river; the woman wears a pink dress and the man is in dark clothing.
A man and a woman stand back-to-back between large trees at Barbara Falls, each holding a lantern, in a forest with fallen leaves and dim natural light.
A couple stands close together in a forest near Barbara Falls, holding a lantern between them. The woman wears a pink dress, and a river flows in the background.
A man and woman holding lanterns stand hand in hand on a leaf-covered forest path near Barbara Falls, surrounded by tall trees.
A woman in a flowing pink dress and a man in dark clothing hold lanterns while walking through the wooded area near Barbara Falls, surrounded by fallen leaves.
A woman in a flowing pink dress and a man in dark clothing walk through the forest near Barbara Falls, holding lanterns and surrounded by fallen leaves and towering trees.
A woman in a pink dress kneels by a tree holding a lantern, while a man stands behind her also holding a lantern in the dimly lit forest near Barbara Falls.
A person in a long, pink dress stands against a large tree trunk at dusk in the forest near Barbara Falls, holding a lit lantern close to the ground.
A person in a long pink dress holding a lit lantern stands beside a large tree in a forest near a flowing stream, reminiscent of the serene beauty around Barbara Falls.
A woman in a flowing pink dress stands by a large tree in a forest near Barbara Falls, holding a lit lantern with soft light illuminating her and the ground.
A person in a flowing pink dress stands by a large tree in a forest near barbara falls, holding a lit lantern at the base, with a stream winding in the background.
A person in a flowing pink dress stands by a tree with a hollow near Barbara Falls, holding a lit lantern; warm light glows from the hollow and the lantern.
Two lit lanterns hang on a small tree branch near a river in a dimly lit forest, casting a gentle glow reminiscent of tranquil evenings by Barbara Falls.
A couple holding lanterns kisses in front of Barbara Falls in a forested area, with the woman wearing a long pink dress and the man in dark clothing.
Two people walk along a leaf-covered path near water at Barbara Falls, holding lanterns; one wears a pink dress, the other wears dark clothing.
A couple stands close together by Barbara Falls at dusk, each holding a lit lantern. The woman wears a pink dress, while the man is dressed in dark clothing, illuminated by the soft glow of their lanterns against the rushing waterfall.
A man and woman stand in front of Barbara Falls at dusk, each holding a lit lantern. The woman rests her head on the man's shoulder as forest trees surround the tranquil scene.
A woman in a pink dress kisses a man on the cheek as they hold a lantern, standing in front of Barbara Falls, surrounded by trees.
A couple stands by Barbara Falls at dusk, holding lanterns and sharing a kiss. The woman wears a long pink dress; the man is dressed in dark clothing. Autumn leaves cover the ground.
A couple stands in front of barbara falls in a forest, kissing while holding a lit lantern. One wears a black suit, the other a long pink dress. The ground is covered with leaves.
A person holding a torch stands near a flowing river in a forested area by Barbara Falls, surrounded by rocks and trees in low light.
A person in an orange jacket stands on rocks near the rushing waters of Barbara Falls, surrounded by a forested area with fallen logs.
A couple holding lanterns stands on rocks near a flowing waterfall at Barbara Falls, surrounded by a lush forest and the soothing sounds of water.
A person in a pink dress stands on rocks by Barbara Falls at dusk, holding lanterns that glow warmly against the dark, natural surroundings.
A person in a pink dress sits by the flowing Barbara Falls at dusk, surrounded by lit candles on rocks.
A person sits beside a glowing campfire next to a rocky waterfall in a forested area during dusk, capturing the tranquil beauty of Barbara Falls.
A person in an orange cloak stands on rocks beside the rushing waters of Barbara Falls, holding lanterns that emit a warm light amid the surrounding water and forest.
A small waterfall flows over rocks in a forest at Barbara Falls. A person in pink sits by the stream, surrounded by lit candles.
A person sits beside a campfire next to the rocky Barbara Falls, surrounded by forest and flowing water.

Looking to book your own stylized session? I’d love help you plan something that fits your vibe! Contact me here! Curious about the light I used in the tree trunk to case the magical glow? It’s this Lume Cube light tub!

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