Not only do I love doing engagement sessions for my couples, but I love helping them choose the perfect shoot location. There’s so many different directions you could go when it comes to scenery – that’s the amazing thing about the PNW! So here are my top engagement locations near Portland, OR. 

Cannon Beach

The fact that The Goonies was filmed here should honestly be enough reason to be on the list, right? Cannon Beach is one of the best spots the PNW has to offer. It’s also home to the iconic haystack rock, which is a pretty awesome backdrop for photos. If you want some more variety, there’s also tall sea grass for a change of scenery!

The Hoyt Arboretum 

Looking for more of a forest vibe in Portland? The Hoyt Arboretum would be a perfect option for you. The redwood deck is the most picturesque spot ever, which is one of the reasons why I never hesitate to recommend Hoyt. Chloe and Alex absolutely killed their session here!

Government Cove

This is definitely my go-to location for a lot of my sessions because of how stunning it is. It’s located in The Gorge, so you don’t have to drive very far from Portland for this location. For Ali & Keawe’s session, this is the spot we chose and the lighting/scenery was to-do for. I mean, can you believe these photos??

Latourell Falls 

You guys – if you’re looking for the perfect waterfall in Oregon, look no further. Latourell Falls is my favorite place in the Gorge. Not to mention, it’s a super close walk from the parking lot! I knew I had to include this location when talking about my top engagement location near Portland. Hilary and Matt did their session here last year, and I’m still so obsessed with these photos. 

Rowena Crest

You see these vast, beautiful golden fields? Yeah, that’s why I love Rowena Crest! When Traci & Rohan did their session here, they brought their pup Isla and we had the best time together. Not only that, but the photos turned ah-mazing. To see more photos from their session, you can check out their full blog post! 

Cape Kiwanda

What do you get when you mix red rocks, the coast, and sand dunes? Cape Kiwanda. This is such an epic location, especially for weddings, elopements, and engagement photos. As of right now, some of it is closed off for construction, but there’s still plenty of spaces to get some fantastic photos. When Jessi and Jason did their session here, the weather was wet, foggy, and ultra moody. And look how great their photos turned out! It was even better that their pup Gouda got to join us.

Trillium Lake 

Trillium Lake is my top recommendation for photos if my couples want sunrise or sunset photos. Of course, Trillium is beautiful at all times of day, but there’s something about sunrise and sunset that really show off its beauty. Your photos will have insane views of Mt. Hood, which is a PNW classic. That’s definitely why it’s on my list of top engagement photo  locations near Portland! Jamie & Matt decided to elope at Trillium Lake, and their photos are still some of my favorites to this day. 

In Studio or In Home

Although I love going out and exploring the outdoors with my couples, I also love a more intimate vibe. Taking photos in home or at a studio gives off such a different feel than taking them indoors, and I’ve been loving doing these for my couples lately! Even if you have an outdoor session, we can always incorporate an indoor location at the beginning of the end of our day.