September 16th, 2025

Why I Love Seward for Couples Photos

Joey & Sanjna

By Mercedes Santana

Some sessions are pure fun, and this one was exactly that. Joey and Sanjna showed up with playful energy, lots of laughter, and the kind of connection that makes photographing couples my favorite job in the world. We met at Lowell Point in Seward, one of my go-to spots on the Kenai Peninsula and then meandered to their RV parking spot and it turned into the perfect mix of romantic, goofy, and absolutely stunning.

Their Story

I always like to get to know my couples before a session. Joey and Sanjna’s story is one of my favorites because it’s so real.

They met on Tinder during the pandemic.
Sanjna was deep in medical school, Joey had just moved for a new job.
At first she thought he was a little weird… but something about him stuck.
One night after a few glasses of wine, Sanjna was dancing around her living room to Blueberry Faygo while Joey laughed from the couch. That was the moment it all started.

Since then, they’ve gone through big moves, career changes, and growing into new roles in life. Through it all, they’ve stayed each other’s constant. Joey proposed in Santa Barbara earlier this year, and you can tell they’re still riding that wave of excitement.

What They Wanted in Their Photos

Before the shoot, they told me: we want to feel warm, special, and like it was yesterday every time we look at these. They didn’t want stiff or posed. They wanted the moments that felt like them—goofy, honest, a little flirty, and sometimes serious.

That’s exactly what came through:

Bursts of laughter over inside jokes only they understood.
Quiet, soulful moments where the rest of the world disappeared.
Movement—walking the shoreline, playing with the water, leaning into the wind.
Candid emotion instead of “stand here and smile at me.”

Why Lowell Point Was Perfect

Seward has no shortage of gorgeous backdrops, but Lowell Point has a certain magic. Here’s why I love it for couples sessions:

Ocean views with mountains: Alaska’s drama all in one frame.
Texture everywhere: Rocky beaches, driftwood, moss, tide pools.
Easy access: Just outside town, no long hike required.
Golden hour glow: The light bounces off the water and makes everything feel cinematic.

We didn’t need to overcomplicate it. Just walking along the shore gave us endless options, and the changing light gave us a mix of bright warmth and moody tones.

Who They Are as a Couple

The best part of this shoot wasn’t just the scenery—it was who Joey and Sanjna are together.

They describe themselves as playful but intellectual.
They love food, cooking, and dream of opening a sustainable Indian fusion café.
They spend time hiking, biking, and exploring new cultures.
They have a cat named Mrs Mo who gets way more affection than she probably wants.
They dance to early 2000s music, read books together, and have deep conversations about politics and life

That balance of silly and soulful is exactly what showed up in their photos.

Looking Ahead

When Joey and Sanjna look back on these photos in twenty years, they’ll remember the way the air felt salty, the way the sun dipped low behind the mountains, and how easy it was to just be themselves. That’s why I love what I do—photos are more than just pictures, they’re a time machine.

Thinking About Your Own Session in Seward?

If you’re considering an Alaska couples session, here’s why Seward should be on your list:

It’s close to Anchorage but feels like another world.
You can combine a session with an epic weekend trip.
The variety—mountains, ocean, forest—all in one spot.
It feels adventurous without being overwhelming.

Lowell Point especially is perfect if you want photos that feel both intimate and grand. You can dip your toes in the water, walk along the shore, or just lean into each other while the mountains tower behind you.

The RV Adventure

One of my favorite details about this session is that Joey and Sanjna didn’t just drive down for photos—they brought an RV. There’s something so Alaska about that. Packing up your little home-on-wheels, cruising along the Seward Highway with mountain peaks on one side and ocean views on the other, and then pulling right up to the shoreline at Lowell Point.

It set the tone for the whole evening. Instead of feeling rushed or overly planned, the session had that relaxed road-trip energy. We took our time walking the beach, listening to the water, and watching the light shift over the bay. For Joey and Sanjna, it wasn’t just about getting photos—it was about making a memory together, and the RV made it feel like a true adventure.