We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather McFord a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Heather, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Honestly, it’s about staying connected to the things that light me up both in work and life. I spend a lot of time outdoors because that’s where I feel most at home and most myself. Whether I’m hiking a trail I’ve done a hundred times or finding a new dirt road to explore, being surrounded by nature gives me the clarity and perspective I need. Plus, it’s impossible not to feel inspired when you’re standing on the side of Mount Rainier with the wind in your face or watching the mist roll through the Redwoods..
But a lot of my creative energy comes from the people I work with. Every couple brings their own story, and that keeps things fresh. I love how no two sessions or wedding days ever look the same because every couple’s love is different. Their personalities and quirks push me to see things in new ways, and I thrive on that challenge.
I also think it’s important to not put too much pressure on myself to always be “on.” When I feel stuck, I don’t force it. Sometimes I just need to step away and do something simple, like spending time with my dogs, cooking, painting, gardening, or even reorganizing my house (weirdly satisfying). It’s in those everyday moments that I usually find a spark again. For me, staying creative is less about chasing inspiration and more about creating space for it to show up.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I photograph couples who aren’t afraid to throw out the rulebook and do something completely their own. I work with people who crave adventure, value connection, and want their wedding day to feel exciting, meaningful, and a little bit unexpected. It’s not about following tradition or checking off a standard list of events. It’s about creating a day that feels like the best reflection of who you are.
While sure, I’m fully a documentary style photographer, I’m not a fly on the wall. I’m in it with you, living those moments right alongside you. I believe that the best way to capture real, authentic emotions is to be fully present. Whether you’re hiking to a remote fire lookout in the North Cascades for a private sunrise ceremony or dancing barefoot in the sand with your closest friends via a silent disco… I’m right there, feeling it all, so I can document it in a way that feels honest and true.
What makes my job so special is helping couples dream big and think outside the box. A lot of people come to me feeling overwhelmed by possibilities or unsure of what they really want. That’s where I thrive. I’ll help you dig deep into what your day could be if there were no limits, no pressure to perform, no expectations to meet. Maybe it’s boarding a seaplane in Seattle, soaring over the Puget Sound, and landing on a remote island for a private shoreline ceremony surrounded by towering evergreens. Or perhaps it’s trekking through the mossy forests of the Columbia River Gorge, where you exchange vows beneath the mist of a hidden waterfall before celebrating with a cozy fireside feast in a mountain lodge. Whatever feels most like you, we’ll dream it up and make it happen.
Planning is a huge part of what I do. I don’t just show up and hope for the best. I’ll help you find the perfect location, guide you through permits and logistics, and make sure your day runs smoothly. Almost all the couples I work with are searching for a way to blend an adventurous day with a celebration that includes their loved ones. I love helping them come up with cool creative solutions. I also connect my couples with amazing vendors who share the same values, because your team should feel like it’s been handpicked just for you. I’m here to take the stress off your plate so you can actually enjoy the experience.
At the heart of what I do is creating space for real, unfiltered moments. It’s about helping couples craft an experience that feels unforgettable and true to who they are. My couples are bold, a little extra, and completely unapologetic about wanting a day that feels like them. I love being part of that energy. I’m also deeply committed to sustainability. I follow Leave No Trace principles during every session and donate a portion of my profits to local environmental organizations to help protect these incredible places we get to explore together. If you’re dreaming of a wedding day that’s full of adventure and reflects everything you love most, we’re probably going to get along really well.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, those three qualities would be: adaptability, empathy, and the willingness to embrace the unknown. These weren’t things I fully understood at the start, but they’ve become the foundation of how I approach my work and connect with my couples.
Adaptability has been key. The Pacific Northwest is unpredictable, and so is life, honestly. Being able to pivot… whether it’s changing plans for a location because of weather or rethinking how I approach my business. It’s taught me to see challenges as opportunities. For those just starting out, I’d say: lean into the curveballs. They’re frustrating in the moment, but they’ll teach you resilience and creativity in ways you can’t plan for.
Empathy has been equally important. I’ve learned to listen deeply, not just to what people are saying, but to what they’re feeling. It’s helped me connect with my clients and truly understand what matters most to them. My advice? Practice listening without jumping to a solution. The more you understand someone’s perspective, the better you can serve them. That applies to photography, business, or life in general.
Finally, embracing the unknown has been transformative. When I started this business, I didn’t have all the answers. Honestly, I still don’t, but that’s where growth happens. Taking risks, trying new things, and allowing space for failure has been where the real magic is. If you’re early in your journey, don’t wait until everything feels “ready.” You learn by doing, and the best ideas often come when you let go of the need to control every detail.
At the end of the day, it’s about staying open. Open to the process. Open to people. Open to possibilities you can’t see yet. That’s where the good stuff happens.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal clients are the ones who live with their whole hearts, the kind of people who hear an idea and say, “Why not?” just because it sounds like an adventure worth having. They’re the go-big-or-go-home type, but not in a flashy way. It’s about making their day truly theirs. They crave the thrill of a big adventure, but they also know the joy of gathering their closest loved ones in a setting that feels deeply personal. It’s about celebrating not just their love for each other but the life they’ve built and the people who mean the most to them.
These couples don’t follow a script. They might exchange vows at sunrise on a mountaintop, followed by a laid-back breakfast with their family, or bring a handful of friends to a hidden beach where they spend the evening laughing around a bonfire. They want the kind of day that blends the thrill of something extraordinary with the warmth and intimacy of sharing it with their favorite people.
What I love most about these people is their sense of freedom and their focus on what truly matters. They aren’t planning their day for Instagram or anyone else’s expectations. They’re creating something bold, beautiful, and entirely their own. Where the moments feel big and the connections feel even bigger. If you’re the kind of person who dreams of a day that’s adventurous, heartfelt, and full of the people and things you love most, we’re probably going to get along just fine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cascadianexposures.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cascadianexposures
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cascadianexposuresphotography
Image Credits
Heather McFord, Cascadian Exposures
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