First Impressions at The Landing at Orcas Island

It started with a phone call—an invitation to scout a newly renovated property for a commercial storytelling project. The assignment: bring to life the visual identity of a vacation rental through photography and marketing strategies. I was thrilled. Not only for the opportunity to be part of the project, but for the unexpected chance to visit Washington, a state I had dreamed of seeing. I had once planned a trip to Seattle that fell through, and this call felt serendipitous. But while I was familiar with the dramatic skyline of the Emerald City, I was clueless about the San Juan Islands.

Even more exciting was the team that came together for the project. Each of us brought our unique creative strengths to the table. Together, we weren’t just collaborators, we were kindred spirits with a shared belief in the power of place and story. With a blend of photography, film, design, and lived experience, we planned to structure something that reflected the island’s heart.

With the project on a short timeline, I dove into research. Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juans, quickly revealed itself as a place where visitors often become residents, drawn in by its natural beauty and magnetic sense of calm. Surrounded by emerald forests and rugged shorelines, the island is home to a tight-knit community that values creativity, conservation, and connection. No fast food chains. No traffic lights. Just ferry horns, farmers’ markets, and a love for the land. The more I read, the excitement shifted from professional to personal. This wasn’t just a job. It was a journey into the heart of the Pacific Northwest.

We arrived on Orcas Island by ferry, a first for me, arms loaded with gear and hearts full of anticipation. The sea breeze, thick with salt and cedar, met us as we stepped onto the dock. Amee and Ryan, owners of The Landing at Orcas Island, greeted us warmly. Their energy mirrored the island’s soul—humble, grounded, and rooted in something deeper than hospitality.

The Landing is perched just moments from the ferry landing, quietly tucked into the hillside with a view that opens to the sea. It’s a collection of lovingly restored villas, each unique from the other, yet all woven together by the quiet hum of family history. The property didn’t feel like a rental; it felt like a return. As we toured the villas, still in the final stages of their transformation, you could sense the past folded into every corner. These weren’t just walls and windows. These were structures that had held children and grandparents, seasons and celebrations. Laughter in the kitchens, sorrow in the bedrooms, joy in the gardens. The bones of each unit held memory like a well-loved book, read and reread over the years.

It’s impossible to talk about The Landing without acknowledging the vision behind it. Amee and Ryan didn’t simply acquire property; they inherited a legacy. Their renovations were not about stripping the place down but lifting it—honoring the past while creating space for new stories to unfold. The interiors blended coastal charm with the simplicity of modern comfort. Every choice, from the natural textures to the curated artwork, felt intentional, like a conversation between what was and what’s to come.

Though my camera bag rested patiently by the door, we were encouraged to hold off on work. Amee and Ryan asked us to first experience the island, to understand it before attempting to capture it. And so, for four days, we let go of deadlines and dove into discovery. We walked mossy forest trails beneath the towering evergreens, listened to the gentle hush of waves against the shore, and shared meals that stretched long into the night with the warmth of new friends and laughter echoing into the dark.

Orcas Island asked us to slow down, pay attention, and most of all, connect with the land, with the community, and with one another. The Landing was our base, but it became more than a place to sleep. It was where we paused, reflected, and felt at home in a place that was brand new to all of us.

This entry is just the beginning. In the coming posts, I’ll share deeper reflections from my time on the island—from the quiet power of Mount Constitution to the soul-stirring light at Moran State Park. But I’ll always remember that it all began at The Landing, where an invitation turned into a homecoming I never expected.

While I did adhere to our hosts’ restrictions in staging creative work of the properties, I couldn’t help but capture a few quiet moments that make this place so magical.