This sweet little family met me on the Bremerton – Seattle ferry on a beautiful day in the PNW. Whenever someone asks what to do in Seattle with kids in the summer, riding the ferry is at the top of my recommendations list! Besides the obvious–the amazing views–it is also so fun to watch the littles explore the boat, people watch, and enjoy each other’s company out on the water. We drove on the boat separately and met upstairs, settling in to a booth to start our time together in a slow, low-pressure way.
Why choose a Seattle ferry photo session?
The ferry is quintessentially “PNW”. For families in the Seattle area and families in Kitsap, these big white and green boats play a part in the backdrop of our lives, and feel extra nostalgic as the years go on; this makes for photos that feel more personal and true to this season of life. For families visiting Seattle from out of state, photo sessions on the ferry are a unique alternative to some of the more traditional PNW backdrops, while also being easily accessible (no long drives or hikes!) and a novel experience for kids and grown-ups alike.
Which Seattle ferry route is best for photos?
I shoot all ferry sessions on the Seattle-Bremerton ferry. This route has a one hour crossing time which allows for plenty of relaxed play, exploration, and snuggling.
If you decide you want to check out the ferry without doing family photos (wahhhhh!!!!), you also have the option to take the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry (30 minute crossing time) or the Kingston-Edmonds ferry (30-40 minute crossing time).
How much does the Seattle ferry cost?
Ferry fares vary (ok that’s a tongue twister) by route, by whether you walk or drive on, and more recently, by season. As of the time of this post–May 2026–WSDOT has implemented a 35% surcharge for the busy summer months. You can use WSDOT’s handy fare calculator to see the most up-to-date information. You can also head over to my Seattle Ferry Guide blog post for a quick table of standard ferry rates during the regular season.
How do we book our family ferry session?
You can head to my Ferry Session Info Page for allllll the details (hint: 35mm film scans straight to your doorstep are included in every ferry session!), and you can even self-book online whenever you’re ready to get on the calendar! A quick note about availability: ferry sessions are offered May through September on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and on select October weekends. Because this is a seasonal offering, dates fly fast!! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about scheduling.
I can’t wait to meet you on the ferry!
