Seattle engagement photographers love sessions that have a deeper meaning, and TOPS K-8 School in Seattle gives Maria and Gene’s story a very personal setting. TOPS stands for The Option Program at Seward. It is a K-8 alternative school within Seattle Public Schools. The school is located in Seattle’s Eastlake area and has a long history in the local community. For couples with a personal connection to the school, it can be a meaningful place to celebrate an important chapter in their story.

TOPS is connected to the historic Seward School site. The property includes several historic school buildings with roots going back to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The site includes the historic Seward School buildings, including the older wood and brick structures. Seward is also recognized as a Seattle landmark. The history of the campus gives the location a strong sense of character. It is a place where many memories have been made over the years.

The school also has a strong focus on creativity and community. TOPS provides students with opportunities to explore visual arts, music, physical education, and other areas of learning. Its arts program includes creative work such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics. That creative spirit adds another layer to a location that already means so much to the people who have grown up there. We love that engagement photography can capture not only a couple’s relationship but also the places that helped shape their story.

A Love Story Rooted in Childhood

Maria and Gene’s story began when they met in kindergarten at TOPS K-8 School. Their older brothers were in the same grade, and their families lived close to one another. They grew up as friends while carpooling and enjoying ski buses and field trips together. In fifth grade, they shared their first kiss behind a tree during recess. Years later, that same tree became part of another unforgettable chapter. Gene proposed to Maria there and carved a heart with their initials into the tree. It is a sweet connection between their childhood and the future they are building together.

Their story continued through school, even as life took them in different directions. They attended the same schools through twelfth grade. Maria later attended the University of Washington, while Gene traveled around the country filming for Formula Drift. They reconnected during Maria’s senior year of college and have been together ever since. Today, they share a miniature schnauzer named Otto and enjoy caring for their freshwater fish tank. They also love spending time outdoors, cooking, and watching Formula One. Gene is preparing to take his journeyman electrician test, while Maria works as a head engraver for an athletic awards company, creating and engraving corporate and sports awards.

We love engagement photography because it gives couples a chance to celebrate the story that brought them here. Seattle engagement photos can feel even more special when a location holds years of personal memories. We focus on creating photographs that feel natural and genuine. We want couples to enjoy their time together without feeling like every moment needs to be posed. Maria and Gene’s story shows how meaningful a familiar place can become when it is connected to so many important memories. Our blog is also a great place to find more engagement inspiration, real couple stories, and photography ideas. Our team loves helping couples preserve those connections through thoughtful photography.

For couples planning their own engagement session, Original Weddings offers photography packages and prices that can fit different photography needs. Couples can also explore our reviews to learn about experiences others have had with our photography team. Our blog is also a helpful place to find engagement inspiration, real couple stories, and photography ideas. We want every couple to feel comfortable knowing what to expect while planning their session.

Original Weddings is a team of Seattle wedding photographers and videographers. Please click here to learn more about our Seattle photography and videography services. This session was edited in our Rustic editing style. We offer three different photography editing styles: Timeless, Airy, and Rustic. Please click here to learn more about our photography styles. You pick the style you love for your photos.

Engagement Photos | Seattle Engagement Photographers

Seattle Wedding Photographers at TOPS

Original Weddings brings a thoughtful and flexible approach to engagement photography throughout Seattle and nearby communities. Our team loves working with couples who want their photos to feel natural, relaxed, and connected to their personalities. Seattle gives us so many opportunities to create meaningful images, from lively city areas to peaceful outdoor settings. We also travel throughout the region to photograph couples in places that are important to them. Our engagement photographer team regularly serves nearby cities and communities such as Bellevue, Tacoma, Renton, Kirkland, Redmond, and Everett. Each session gives us a chance to learn what makes a couple unique and turn that connection into photographs they will enjoy for years.

What makes working with Original Weddings special is the care we bring to every session. We do not believe engagement photos should feel stiff or overly planned. Instead, we guide couples while leaving room for genuine interaction and personality. Our photographers are comfortable working with different lighting conditions, locations, and session styles. We enjoy photographing couples throughout Seattle and traveling when their meaningful location is outside the city. Whether a couple wants a simple session or something more creative, we focus on making the experience comfortable and enjoyable. We are excited to help couples celebrate this stage of their relationship through honest, timeless engagement photography.

Seattle Wedding Videographers at TOPS

Original Weddings creates natural and engaging wedding films throughout Seattle and nearby communities. Our videographers know how to capture genuine connections while keeping the experience comfortable for each couple. We travel across the Seattle area and to nearby cities such as Bellevue, Tacoma, Renton, Kirkland, Redmond, and Everett for engagement sessions and weddings.

Our team brings experience with different locations, lighting conditions, and wedding styles. We focus on preserving meaningful moments in a cinematic way without making the day feel staged. When couples choose a location that matters to their story, we are happy to travel and document it. Original Weddings combines creativity, experience, and a relaxed approach to create films couples can enjoy for years.