For the Adventurous - Engagement Session Locations Pt. 2
I love shooting engagement sessions. It’s a truly unique time to get to know the couple you’re working with. Unlike shooting a wedding, an engagement session is a low-pressure and low-stress environment to get comfortable with posing for the camera and they offer a great chance to get to know your photographer and vica-versa.
This is a huge reason why I recommend incorporating an engagement shoot in your wedding experience! Most of couples don’t have a lot of experience in front of the camera, so an engagement session is the perfect way to shake off the anxiety and awkwardness of posing with your partner for the first time. It’s also a great chance for your photographer to get to know who you are as a couple and what makes your relationship together so special!
A lot of couples choose an engagement session location based on a special memory. It could be the site of their first kiss, the place where they met, or even just a hike that they find particularly beautiful (that’s a big one in the PNW). However not all couples have this “special location” when they schedule an engagement shoot. That’s totally okay, there is no rule that says you have to have a special place for your photos. Maybe the locations that are special to you as a couple are not suitable for taking photos at. Whatever the reason may be for not having a location in mind, I am here today to provide you with a list of some of the coolest places I’ve come across here in the PNW for an engagement shoot. This blog is a two part-er with this being the second part. We’re gonna cover some of the more “adventurous” locations I’ve found. Once you’re done reading this blog, I recommend that you check out the first part, as it has more than a dozen awesome locations as well!
Tom McCall Preserve
Rowena Crest View Pt., The Dalles, OR
This location is a favorite of mine for the natural landscape it presents. Sweeping fields with a jaw dropping view of the gorge in the background. During certain parts of the year you will find this place simply blossoming with yellow and purple flowers! The nature element here is truly inspiring! If you catch it during golden hour it becomes alive with dazzling sunlight, which combined with the view of the gorge, simply cannot be bested! Want some proof? Check out these photos!
Mount Hood
Timberline Lodge or Trillium Lake, OR
Mt Hood. hosts some of the most beautiful landscapes in the PNW. Whether you’re planning your engagement for the winter or the summer, you can be assured that Mt. Hood will provide you breathtaking scenery for your photos! For winter engagement shoots, there’s no place like Timberline Lodge. The snow keeps things bright and clean and the view atop the mountain is something that will make your images stand out from the rest. During the summer I whole-heartedly recommend Trillium Lake. This lake is crazy gorgeous and offers an incredible backdrop for you and your soon-to-be! The photos below are some of my favorites from shoots done at each of these locations!
Painted Hills
Fossil, OR
This location is by far one of Oregon's greatest natural wonders. That said, the best time to get there is at sunrise, otherwise you’ll have to fight hordes of tourists that flock there from morning to evening day-in and day-out. However, if you’re willing to get up before the sun, you’ll be greeted by a brilliant sunrise, surrounded by amazing natural geology that you simply can’t find anywhere else in the PNW. Seriously, the photos you can get here are phenomenal, just take a look for yourself!
Abiqua Falls
In the Santiam State Forest near Salem, OR
If we’re talking waterfalls, this is by far my favorite one in the whole state of Oregon! It’s a little more remote than most falls, and though it has a bit of a steep hike up to it, it’s overall a short distance to travel. Especially when you see the fall itself! Seriously, for those of you who like the falls throughout Oregon, you have got to see this one! It makes a brilliant backdrop for any type of photo, especially engagement shoots! You will not be disappointed by the images produced from this BEAUTIFUL location, just check below!
Cape Kiwanda
Pacific City, OR
This is definitely a favorite coastal location of mine. For those who are looking for a little workout, there’s an amazing dune to climb that provides truly stunning views all around! This location also holds some truly incredible sand and stone structures that are bound to make an excellent background for your engagement session! I personally love it whenever I get the chance to shoot an engagement here, it never disappoints! Check out these photos from a shoot done here!
Hug Point Beach
Manzanita, OR
Epic cliffs with a beautiful classic beach. That accurately describes the setting at Hug Point Beach. Seriously, the setting here is like two worlds colliding together, and it’s amazing! There’s no shortage of awesome photos to be taken here. From lush greenery on the cliffs, to a sandy beach at the base, you’ll find just the place for you! Want photos in both? Let’s do it! Check out this shoot I did there, where we took pictures on the cliffs as well as below them on the beach!
Sparks Lake
Bend, OR
Dom and I have been all over the PNW for weddings and engagements, but nothing gets us more excited than when we get to do a shoot in Bend! Seriously, we love this city so much! We recommend taking a whole weekend away to explore this amazing city! It holds one of my favorite lakes ever, which is comfortably nestled between some of Oregon's most famous mountains! I can’t even explain how gorgeous the setting around this lake is! I’ve included some photos from a wedding we shot here, and you’ll just have to see for yourself how beautiful it is!
Smith Rock
Near Madras, OR
Smith Rock is one of Oregon's most famous rock-climbing locations. If you're a climber then you’ve got to check this place out! Regardless, there are some truly incredible sights and backdrops for photos up at Smith Rock! For those of you who are a bit more daring, there’s a tough trail that you can take all the way to the top where you’ll be met with some awe inspiring views! However, if you’re not looking for a difficult trail to the top, you can still get amazing views and great backdrops from a shorter, easier trail near the parking lot! Just look at these photos!
Diablo Lake Lookout
North Cascades, WA
This next location has some seriously stunning views. Nestled between the Cascade Range and Azure Blue Alpine Lake, it photographs like no other! While it is a bit of a drive to reach, there has never been a time where I’ve been disappointed to make the trek! The best times to get there are definitely at sunrise or sunset, however the location is gorgeous whenever! If you need some proof, just look below!
Fort Steilacoom
Tacoma, WA
Surrounded by quaint and adorable little coastal towns, this old military fort leaves nothing to be desired! A meeting point for nature and man–made architecture, this location is truly unique! It has beautiful fields and photographs incredibly well at golden hour! The old rustic buildings provide a nice backdrop for those looking to add some vintage flair to their portraits and the natural fields and forests create an excellent setting for anyone's special moment! Check out my photos below to get a feel for yourself!
Leavenworth, WA
Now we get into a truly incredible little town! Bavarian in both look and feel, this little town is a must see during any time of the year. For those who want to do some hiking, the summertime will greet you with a nice selection of places to explore! Personally, I have to recommend it for the winter season however. The town is transformed into a wonderful Christmas oasis with snow, sights and even the option to take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the woods! It’s truly an incredible place! Trust me, the photos below don’t lie!
Gold Creek Pond
Near Snoqualmie, WA
A perfect lake for both summer and winter engagements sessions! With stunning scenery and a brilliant lake that reflects the mountains on its surface, you cannot go wrong with this location! I love the chance to travel to this lake, it has some truly incredible sights, and the nature is simply brilliant! Add a little snow in the winter or a brilliant sunset during the summer and you’ll have gorgeous photos to treasure forever! The photos below are some of my favorites from this location!
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 events. The images you get from that session go on to make some of the founding memories for your marriage!
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