My Top 5 Engagement Session Locations in Oregon
It’s TRUE,
We live in one of the most magical locations in the world! The Pacific Northwest aka PNW is incredibly diverse with a little bit of everything to include phenomenal beach locations, lush forests, incredible mountain tops, beautiful high dessert and so much more.
I have been an Oregon Wedding Photographer for a little over 5 years and I used to just stick to capturing engagement sessions at a local park but I couldn’t stand living in such a beautiful State and not exploring it so I decided to start mixing travel and work and it has paid off big time. Just spend a second searching IG hashtags #pnwvibes, #pnw, #pnwwaterfalls … the list goes on and I drool so hard looking for incredible places to do sessions and in 2020 I only want to go even further (more about that at the end). In 2019 I drove a total of 22,000 miles … how many will I drive in 2020!?!
But back to the purpose of this blog which is to share with you my top 5 engagement session locations in Oregon from my 2019 season!
Cape Kiwanda, Pacific City Oregon
Fun fact, I literally grew up across the street from this rad location … back before it was the bees-knees for photographers, haha. I spent my childhood climbing the sand dune and splashing in these waves, searching tide-pools for fish and crabs and making sand sculptures. Today, Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City is a growing tourist favorite. With the Pelican Pub & Brewery right there in the parking lot and the small town vibes of riding bikes on the beach or walking from one end of town to the other via the beach …. it’s pretty darn great!
But seriously, this location has so many options from the water and breathtaking backgrounds, to orange sand-clay, rocks covered in mussels, tide-pools, caves, beach grass and of course the giant sand hill!
Anytime I have a session where my clients get in the water, I like us to have a nice warm cup of soup and chat at the pub … it’s a seriously great time!
2. Horse Rock Ridge, Sweet Home Oregon
This jaw-dropping location is tucked up a logging road near Sweet Home Oregon and I can’t lie, I am kinda glad it’s not easy to find. The hike is about 1/2 mile (easy trail but it takes time to get to the views so that needs to be incorporated in the timeline) through a beautiful forest setting before you come out to these memorizing views for a stunning backdrop. I love the diversity of rolling mountains in the back, rough and edgy rock formations and forest surrounding it. Yes, Yes, YES!!!!
3. Silver Falls, Silverton Oregon
Talk about a location I have started exploring more with ENDLESS possibilities and it’s only 40min from my home in Salem! Oregon is filled with some majestic waterfalls and Silver Falls State Park just outside Silverton Oregon has several in a short distance! The hikes are easy and the surroundings are inspiring to say the least. I have started taking my family, kids included on day hikes here so I can get more familiar with hiking distances and special spots I would like to use. I highly suggest bringing hiking shoes and changing in to photo shoes when the time is right.
4. Columbia River Gorge
O.M.G what we are blessed with in our backyard … my friends on the East Coast can’t even handle! The Columbia River Gorge is just East of Portland, Oregon and it is miles and miles of landscape HEAVEN! Like, is this even real!?!
There are too many locations to mention and some of them you really have to find but the whole Gorge is worth exploring and finding a spot that really speaks to you! The images in this slide are from Governments Cove and Crown Point and they well … speak for themselves!
5. The City, Portland Oregon - City of Roses
Portland, Oregon has endless locations for fabulous cityscape and urban styled photos! I can’t even begin with where to start but if you’re not looking for nature and want something a little more edgy … Portland is definitely worth it! Some of my favorite areas are the Waterfront near OMSI, The Pearl District and the Albina Art District buuuut also Rocky Butte for awesome views!
Honorable Mentions (but I need to get out to them more):
Trillium Lake, Mt. Hood National Forest
Sparks Lake, Bend Oregon
Annnnd for those who are super adventurous … don’t be afraid to travel beyond Oregon and the PNW to some other incredible locations! I have had the opportunity and would LOVE to go back to Palm Springs, Arches National Park (Moab, Utah) & San Diego! These are perfect places to head in the Winter of Oregon to get some SUN!
So that’s my Friday 5 blog post for the week, I hope you enjoyed it and got some inspiration!!!
Cheers!