Brilliant and Beautfiul - Engagement Session Locations Pt. 1
As you know, I don’t just shoot weddings. I shoot engagements, maternity, family portraits and much more. While the bulk of my work happens during the wedding season, I also get the chance each year to shoot couples who are newly engaged! This is the second largest part of my business, and as such I have accrued a wealth of knowledge regarding great locations to shoot engagement sessions.
If you’ve read my previous blogs, you’ll know that I not only recommend but encourage couples to include an engagement shoot into their wedding experience. This is because it helps the couple feel more comfortable posing in front of the camera and it gives them the chance to get the awkward pre-wedding photo jitters out of their system. Along with that, it gives the couple and their photographer the chance to interact and get to know each other before the big day (assuming they use the same photographer). Through my experiences shooting a couple's engagement and wedding I have been able to conclude that it is better not only for me the photographer, but also for the couple.
An added bonus of shooting engagement sessions for couples is that I have been able to travel around the PNW, as oftentimes the couple themselves like to choose the location for their engagement shoot. This is a common practice and one that I encourage, as often the places chosen have significance to the couple’s relationship. However, not every couple has a go-to spot in mind for their engagement photos and thus I am more than happy to supply a list of some of the best spots (in my opinion) for an engagement session. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Howell Territorial Park in Sauvie Island
Sauvie Island, Portland OR
If you're looking for versatility in your images, then this is the place for you! Howell Territorial Park has a wide variety of scenery that makes for some truly incredible backdrops. From a white farmhouse to a patch of apple and pear trees, a tall pine forest or an empty field, this Park is truly magnificent! Obviously, this location is better suited for bright sunny days, but it’s in Oregon so rain might be encountered. Regardless, it still gets my stamp of approval! Check out some of the engagement shots I’ve taken here before!
Hoyt Arboretum
4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland OR
Quaint, quiet and natural? Sound the place you’re looking for to share this special moment? Then Hoyt Arboretum is perfect for you! They have lovely well-maintained grounds, with open fields and patches of trees! I’ve had some great photos come from this place, check them out!
Pittock Mansion
Portland, OR
While it’s true that Pittock Mansion is a tourist attraction, it’s that way for good reason! They are known for having one of the coolest mansions around. On top of that, their garden is one of the prettiest in Portland during the spring and summer. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed with the beauty, or the photos taken at this location! Check out the photos below!
Commonwealth Lake Park
Cedar Hills, OR
If you're looking for a brilliant location to get some lovely fall time photos, this is the spot! It’s a quaint little loop around a small lake hidden in a neighborhood in Cedar Hills. Truly a special spot, and while it’s most beautiful during the fall (when the trees that surround the path change colors), it can be a great spot for any season. They have cute little bridges and lots of areas along the path that are perfect to get a shot of the colorful trees in the background! Check out some of the photos I’ve acquired from this location!
Downtown Portland and the South Waterfront
If you’re a fan of the concrete jungle, then you’ve gotta look into this location. There are tons of areas along the South Waterfront that are still great for photos! Combine the waterfront views with the variety of parks and well-kept urban areas of this part of Downtown and you’ve got yourself an excellent location for a photo shoot! While it's true that Portland has seen better days, there are still some hidden gems in Downtown just waiting to be exploited! Don’t believe me? Check out some of these photos and you can decide for yourself!
Lewis and Clark College
Frank Manor House, Portland, OR
This brilliant location has some of the most incredible scenery. The campus has lots of greenery, but also plays host to an incredible amount of truly inspiring stone and brick masonry. Rain or shine it’s an incredible place to get photos taken. To add to the awesome nature of this campus, a large reflection pool is present, which in summer, is truly a breathtaking feature. I’ve had the pleasure of shooting some incredible portraits here, take a look!
(Note: indoor photos are from a photo studio in NW Portland)
Cooper Mountain Nature Park
Beaverton, OR
If you’re the type of person who loves a great view, then Cooper Mountain Nature Park is right for you! On a clear day you get some truly breathtaking views of the value below the park. The park itself is a bit drier, and filled with natural, tall golden grass! Great for getting halfway hidden shots of you and your soon-to-be. Add some pine trees and the open field to the mix and you’ve got a brilliantly natural park, perfect for an engagement session! I’ve taken some pretty cool photos here as well; you can see them below!
Powell Butte Nature Park
16160 SE Powell Blvd, OR
Like our last contender, Powell Butte Nature Park holds a drier landscape with open fields and trees. What separates this Park from the last is the gorgeous view of Mt. Hood that you can get on a clear day! Rain or shine, having our beautiful mountain as the backdrop to your engagement photos is sure to make them all the better! I love the mountain, and I have a lot of experience shooting it from a distance and up close! Check out these photos to see for yourself!
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
6015 SE 28th Ave Portland OR 97202
Sitting near Reed College, this garden is a brilliant scene for portraiture. Lots of greenery, a beautiful pond and in the springtime more rhododendrons than you have probably ever seen in your life (unless you’ve been here before that is)! A seriously awesome spot for some special photos. I’ve had the chance to take some truly amazing shots of wonderful people here, give it a look!
Sandy River Delta Park
Thousand Acre Rd, Troutdale OR
This being a state park, there is a $5 entrance fee. That said, IT'S TOTALLY WORTH IT!!! The park is flowered (see what I did there) with open fields, tall grasses and these brilliantly vintage looking old style wooden fences. Seriously, for the $5 price tag, it’d be a crime not to check it out, even if it’s just for a hike! That said, I’ve shot engagements here before and I’ve never been disappointed with the results! See for yourself!
Graham Oaks Nature Park
Wilsonville, OR
If you're a member of the shy-camera-couples club or you just want a private and quiet place to hold your engagement session, then Graham Oaks Nature Park could not be better suited for you. This location rarely (if-ever) has crowds and thus it's a truly great place to get a private portrait session done. The park hosts a huge (and I mean huge) natural area, filled with big fields, forested paths and a giant oak tree! It’s a great spot year-round and never fails to produce great photos! Check out some of the images I’ve captured here in the past!
Studios in the New York Building
NW Portland, OR
Seeing as we are an Oregon Business and most of our KHP couples are in the PNW, it’s no surprise that we have to deal with volatile weather. That said, if being in the rain isn’t a place you like to be, never fear! There are actually some great indoor studio locations that we’ve shot at before and I can say without a doubt that those photos turned out just as good as any others I’ve shot. You can of course be the judge for yourself!
Strawberry Island
North Bonneville, WA
The Columbia River Gorge is a host to many beautiful and hidden areas. Among them is the stunning Strawberry Island. Seriously, this hidden gem is a breathtaking spot. It’s one of the best kept secrets of the Gorge and it always looks amazing! While it’s definitely more of a summer destination for photos, it's still a brilliant spot to explore year-round! Because it’s a less well-known spot, chances are that you won’t have to share the space with other photographers and couples, making it perfect for a truly special engagement session.
This is just part one of my list! Check back for part two, where I cover some of the more adventurous locations that I recommend for an engagement session! The PNW is home to a large number of truly incredible spots for portrait sessions. It’s one of the many reasons why I encourage all my couples to plan an engagement session into their wedding experience. The images you get from that session go on to make some of the founding memories for your marriage!
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