Why We Photographed This Alki Beach Condo Twice (Weather Matters!)

When good enough isn’t good enough—the story behind going back for the perfect shot

Here’s something that doesn’t happen often in real estate photography: we shot a beautiful Alki Beach condo, delivered gorgeous interior photos, and then… we went back.

Not because something was wrong. Not because the client asked. But because Seattle weather had other plans for our original shoot day, and this property deserved better.

Let me explain.

The July Shoot: Beautiful Interiors, Cloudy Views

Back in July, we photographed this stunning waterfront condo on Alki Beach. The property was spectacular—modern finishes, thoughtful staging, elegant details like that crystal chandelier in the dining room. The interior shots came out beautifully.

The living room was perfectly styled with coastal-inspired accents and a cozy fireplace—interior shots were flawless

Modern Alki Beach condo living room with black fireplace, beige furniture, coastal blue accent pillows, and crystal chandelier with water views through windows — Beautifully staged living room featuring a contemporary gas fireplace, elegant crystal chandelier, and coastal-inspired decor with ocean blues and neutrals—professional interior photography captured the space perfectly despite cloudy skies.

That stunning crystal chandelier and elegant staging captured beautifully, even on the cloudy day

Elegant waterfront condo dining room with crystal chandelier, mid-century modern sideboard, large round mirror, and Puget Sound water views through windows — This dining room’s stunning crystal chandelier and sophisticated staging photographed beautifully in July, though the Puget Sound views through the windows show the typical Pacific Northwest gray-sky conditions.

But here’s the thing about photographing waterfront properties in the Pacific Northwest: the view is the selling point. And on that July day, Seattle gave us what Seattle often gives us—gray skies and muted light.

Look closely at these interior shots. The spaces are gorgeous, the staging is on point, the lighting is professional. But notice the windows—the view through them looks flat, gray, subdued. You can see water, sure, but where are the mountains? Where’s that Puget Sound sparkle?

The Olympic Mountains? Hidden behind cloud cover.

The Puget Sound sparkle? More of a flat gray-blue.

That wow-factor vista that makes Alki Beach one of Seattle’s most desirable neighborhoods? Subdued.

The interior shots were perfect. The property looked elegant and inviting. But those view shots through the windows? They weren’t telling the whole story of what this location offers on a typical clear Pacific Northwest day.

Why Weather Matters More Than You Think

If you’re selling a waterfront property—whether it’s a house, condo, or vacation rental—the view isn’t just a feature. It’s the feature.

Buyers aren’t just purchasing square footage and finishes. They’re investing in:

Morning coffee on the balcony with Olympic Mountain views
Ferry-watching from the dining room
That signature Puget Sound shimmer on sunny days
The layered ridgelines of the Olympic Peninsula stretching across the horizon
The feeling of living on the water, not just near it

Staged waterfront condo living room with water view through glass doors and modern coastal decor — That cozy reading chair with Olympic Peninsula views? Yes, please.

Every room in this condo celebrates the waterfront location

When weather obscures these views in listing photos, you’re essentially hiding your property’s greatest asset. Compare the July interior shots above with the clear-day view photos below—same property, dramatically different impression. Buyers scroll past gray views. They assume the vista isn’t that impressive. They move on to the next listing.

We couldn’t let that happen.

The Return Visit: Blue Skies and Perfect Timing

A few weeks ago, Seattle delivered one of those perfect late-summer days—brilliant blue skies, crystal-clear air, the Olympics standing proud across the sound. We grabbed our gear and headed back to Alki.

The difference was night and day.

Olympic Mountains with layered ridgelines and snow-capped peaks across Puget Sound from West Seattle. — THIS is what we came back for—the Olympic Mountains in all their glory on a clear day.

THIS is what we came back for—the Olympic Mountains in their full glory

Suddenly, every window told a story. The balcony views revealed the full Olympic Peninsula panorama. The dining room windows framed snow-capped peaks. The living room’s sliding doors opened onto a vista that looked like a postcard.

Modern dining area with Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound views through white-framed windows. — Every meal becomes an occasion when the Olympic Peninsula is your view.

With clear skies, the Olympic Peninsula becomes the centerpiece of every meal

Panoramic balcony view of Puget Sound and distant islands from Alki Beach waterfront condo. — The view from the balcony on a perfect PNW day—this is why we went back for the reshoot.

The balcony view that buyers dream about when searching “Seattle waterfront”

This is what makes Alki Beach properties special. This is what commands premium prices in Seattle’s competitive real estate market. And now, the photos finally showed it.

The Alki Beach Advantage

While we were there capturing those view shots, we also documented what makes this location truly exceptional.

Aerial view of West Seattle waterfront condos on Alki Beach with Seattle downtown skyline and Puget Sound on clear day. — The perspective that tells the whole story—walkable beach path, downtown skyline views, and that perfect waterfront location.

The aerial perspective shows the building’s prime location—beach path access, downtown views, waterfront living

From the aerial shots, you can see the complete picture: this condo sits right on the beach path, with downtown Seattle’s skyline across Elliott Bay in one direction and the Olympic Peninsula in the other. It’s the geographic sweet spot that makes West Seattle so desirable.

Jogger on Alki Beach waterfront walking path with Puget Sound and Olympic Peninsula views. — The beach path literally steps from the building—morning runs, sunset walks, ferry-watching strolls.

The Alki Beach path is literally steps from the building—morning runs, sunset walks, year-round recreation

The beach walking and biking path runs right past the building. Morning joggers, sunset strollers, families with dogs—it’s an active, vibrant community with a small-town beach vibe despite being minutes from downtown Seattle.

Washington State ferry crossing Puget Sound with Olympic Mountains and forested shoreline in background. — Ferry-watching is a daily perk—the iconic green and white Washington State ferries against the Olympics.

Washington State ferries provide daily entertainment—maritime life from your living room

And those ferries? They’re not just transportation. For waterfront residents, ferry-watching becomes part of the daily rhythm. The iconic green-and-white Washington State ferries, the sleek King County Water Taxis, sailboats on summer evenings—it’s a living waterfront, not just a view.

King County Water Taxi catamaran ferry moving across Puget Sound with forested shoreline backdrop. — Even the daily commuter ferries add to the maritime charm of Alki living.

The King County Water Taxi adds to the maritime charm of Alki living

Lessons for Sellers: Don’t Settle for Gray-Sky Photos

Here’s what this experience reinforced for us, and what every waterfront property seller should know:

1. Weather Makes or Breaks Waterfront Photography

We always try to schedule shoots on clear days, but Seattle weather is unpredictable. Sometimes you have to roll the dice. But if your photographer delivers view shots on a gray day and calls it done, you’re not getting the full value of your investment.

2. View Properties Deserve Special Treatment

Modern waterfront condo living room with sliding glass doors opening to balcony overlooking Puget Sound. — Open the doors and let the Puget Sound breeze in—this is what waterfront living looks like daily.

Interior photography follows consistent principles regardless of weather. But view photography is entirely dependent on conditions. If you’re paying for professional photography, those views should be captured in their best light—literally.

3. First Impressions Are Everything Online

In today’s market, buyers form opinions in seconds while scrolling through listings. A gray, flat water view gets scrolled past. A brilliant blue sound with mountain peaks stops the scroll and generates showing requests.

4. The Investment Pays Off

Going back for better view shots takes time and resources. But for waterfront properties where the view is the primary selling point, it’s not optional—it’s essential. The difference between “nice condo” and “must-see waterfront property” often comes down to whether the photos captured what makes the location special.

Behind the Scenes: Our Approach to Waterfront Properties

Elegant dining room with crystal chandelier and panoramic Puget Sound and Olympic Mountain views through large windows. — Dinner with a view—Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound as your backdrop.

When we photograph waterfront properties in Seattle, we’re not just documenting rooms. We’re capturing a lifestyle and location story.

That means:

Timing shoots for optimal weather when possible (and being willing to reschedule or return if conditions aren’t right)
Shooting from multiple perspectives—interior views looking out, balcony views, aerial context shots that show the complete location advantage
Capturing the neighborhood amenities—beach paths, parks, ferry routes, downtown skylines
Documenting seasonal advantages—summer blue skies, fall colors, winter mountain snow caps, spring blooms along the waterfront
Showing scale and distance—how close is the beach path really? What can you actually see from the balcony?

For this Alki property, the combination of beautifully lit interior shots from July and stunning clear-day view shots from our return visit tells the complete story. Buyers can envision both the refined interior living space and the spectacular Pacific Northwest setting.

The Bottom Line

Seattle city center skyline as seen from Alki / West Seattle.

Would the original photos have been sufficient? Probably. The interior shots were excellent, and the property would have sold.

But “sufficient” isn’t our standard when we know we can deliver “exceptional.”

Waterfront properties in Seattle’s competitive market deserve photography that showcases their complete value. When the weather doesn’t cooperate on shoot day, the right response isn’t “good enough”—it’s “let’s come back.”

This Alki Beach condo deserved photos that captured the full Olympic Mountain panorama, the sparkling Puget Sound, the active beach lifestyle, and the unique West Seattle location advantage.

Now it has them.

Photographing Your Waterfront Property

If you’re preparing to list a waterfront home, condo, or vacation rental in the Seattle area, here are some practical tips:

Work with a photographer who understands waterfront properties. Not all real estate photographers have experience with view properties or the flexibility to return for better weather shots.

Be flexible with scheduling. If your shoot day dawns gray and cloudy, consider rescheduling if possible. The difference in final results is worth the inconvenience.

Invest in aerial photography. For waterfront properties, aerial shots provide context that ground-level photos can’t match. Buyers want to see proximity to beaches, paths, marinas, and downtown views.

Capture the neighborhood lifestyle. Photos of the beach path, local parks, ferry terminals, and community amenities help buyers envision the lifestyle, not just the property.

Time it right seasonally. Late summer and early fall often provide the clearest skies in Seattle. Spring offers blooming cherry blossoms and green landscapes. Each season has advantages for different property types.

Don’t rush the process. Quality waterfront photography takes time, planning, and sometimes patience with weather. The investment pays off in buyer interest and final sale price.

About This Alki Beach Location

For those unfamiliar with Alki Beach, it’s one of Seattle’s most unique neighborhoods—a genuine beach community within the city limits. Located in West Seattle, Alki offers:

2.5 miles of sandy beach and waterfront path
Unobstructed views of downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic Mountains
Active beach culture with volleyball, paddleboarding, kayaking, and beach walking
Restaurants, cafes, and local businesses along the waterfront
Easy access to downtown via West Seattle Bridge or Water Taxi
Strong sense of community with neighborhood events and festivals

Properties on Alki’s waterfront command premium prices because they offer something rare: true beach living in a major city, with both natural beauty and urban convenience.

This particular condo exemplifies the best of Alki living—modern comfort, spectacular views, beach path access, and that coveted indoor-outdoor Pacific Northwest lifestyle.

Ready to showcase your Seattle waterfront property? Whether you’re in Alki Beach, Magnolia, Madison Park, or elsewhere along Puget Sound, we’d love to help tell your property’s complete story. Sometimes that means going back for better weather shots. We’re okay with that.

View more examples of our Seattle waterfront photography in our portfolio, or contact us to discuss your upcoming listing.

Why We Photographed This Alki Beach Condo Twice (And Why It Mattered)