My Top 5 Engagement Photo Locations in & around Portland, Oregon
Location, location, location! Your special someone asked the big question - woo hoo - now you want / NEED beautiful photos captured that tell the story of your love. You found the right photographer (why else would you be here) but now you need location ideas that tell the perfect PNW story of your love in or around the Portland, Oregon / Vancouver, Washington area! I got you! Here you will find my top 5 favorite spots in and around Portland, Oregon to take engagement photographs for my clients.
Of all the locations I travel to in and around Portland, this one is always a client favorite, and for good reason!
Starting off at #5 is Cannon Beach - famous for Haystack Rock, and the elk that love to run on the sands, Cannon Beach is a must stop location on the Oregon coast. Not only does it offer the beauty of the massive and jagged rocks, a whimsical lighthouse, and long sandy beaches, but also offer tall grass cover dunes, as seen above. I must travel here at least 15 times a year for weddings, elopements, proposals and of course, engagement sessions. I place it at #5 for its proximity to Portland itself, making it a bit more of a drive (roughly 70 mins) from the city but worth every minute. Even the drive out through the lush forests is enjoyable! But if you want something a bit closer to the city, you might like….
Coming it at #4 is one of my favorite engagement photography locations, heck, I love it for just about any occasion - its Peninsula Park! This gem of a public park features gorgeous season rose gardens (big Portland energy) a massive fountain straight out of a Disney fairytale, and a gazebo! It is a timeless location with well careful gardens and lovely views all around. I first started going here for portrait sessions years ago but have since come to love it for all the sights and flowery smells. It is #4 on my list because it is a popular spot! crowds should be expected, so knowing the right time of day and year is essential to capture some magic. It’s just off Rosa Parks about 5min from downtown Portland. Maybe you want something a little less crowded but equally as whimsical!
Beautiful park vibes? Check. Whimsical fountain? Check! Less crowds? CHECK!
Much like Peninsula Park, this location has the green spaces, the flowers (though not the manicured rose bushes) and a big and beautiful fairytale fountain but unlike Peninsula, there are often far less people here. Coming in at #3 for my favorite locations to take engagement photographs, is Washington Park! It is often nearly empty anytime I have gone, and just 5min from the International Rose Gardens that Portland is so famous for. Parking is plentiful, the views are great and it offers a more forested park option that still deliveries in every way. Honestly it’s a toss up between #4 and #3, but what is clear, is you cannot go wrong. You’ll find Washington park on the west side of Downtown!
What if you want to get out of the city, see some nature…
The #2 spot is a true gem - with rushing water, majestic waterfalls, and true isolation - its Dougan Falls on the outskirts of Washougal, Washington. You will find this beautiful spot at near the very end of a long drive out into the countryside just on the north side of the might Columbia River. It is around about a solid hour drive from Portland, but wow oh wow is this spot a gem. I have never seen more than 2 other people there, yet it has spots for a picnic, accessible bathrooms, and the true beauty of the PNW. Dougan falls is really a double whammy. On the east side of the road you have the falls themselves, and with a little scramble down the rocks, you are right in front of the falls. Just watch your step for slippery rocks and this side of the location is wonderful. On the west side of the road, you have the river that is fed from the falls with a much larger rocky shore, and some massive rocks that you can climb out on for more stunning views. You’re surrounded by tall trees, and the sounds of rushing crystal blue water. It is worth every minute of the drive.
If you prefer to stay on the Oregon side of the Columbia River, the #1 spot is worth its short drive outside the city for a view that is unforgettable.
At the #1 spot, I love working with couples at Latourell Falls in Corbett, Oregon. The short trail leads you down to this massive and intense waterfall, and the best part - you can walk right up to the forever pouring water! You must watch your step on the always slippery rocks, and you absolutely will get wet from the spray but the look is second to none. This is hands down one of my absolute favorite spots in and around Portland to work with couples for their engagement session. You will find Latourell Falls about 40min east of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge.
If you would like to chat about booking your engagement photography session with you, just click the button below to start the conversation! I would love to work with you and your partner at any of these locations above, or any spot you want!