If you’re looking for the perfect location for your senior photos, you’re in luck! There are a soooo many beautiful locations to choose from, especially local to Oregon! Choosing the perfect location for your senior photos is an important decision that can greatly impact the overall look and feel of your photos. Luckily, if you’re located here in the PNW you have TONS of stunning landscapes to choose from.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different options available to you, including local spots and adventure spots, and go over the pros and cons of each. From fields and forests to the coast and Mount Hood, each location offers its own unique vibe and backdrop for your photos. So whether you’re looking for a classic senior photo vibe or a more adventurous atmosphere, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect location for your senior photos in Oregon!

---

Local Spots for Senior Photos

One option for your senior photo shoot is to choose a local spot. These locations are easy to access and offer a variety of options for different looks and vibes. Some popular local spots include fields, forests, rivers, and flower fields.

Fields: Fields are a classic location for senior photos. They offer a beautiful, natural backdrop that is easy to access and perfect for a variety of outfits.

Forests: If you’re looking for a more ethereal, fairytale vibe for your senior photos, a forest may be the perfect location for you. The lush greenery and filtered light create a magical atmosphere that is perfect for photos.

Rivers: Rivers are a great location for nature lovers. The water creates a pretty background and you can even walk in the water for some unique shots. Just remember to wear bug spray!

Flower Fields: If you love flowers, a flower field is the perfect location for your senior photos. However, these locations can be hard to plan out because the flowers bloom at different times and they can be crowded.

Adventure Spots for Senior Photos in Oregon

If you’re feeling more adventurous, there are tons of other locations to choose from that are a bit further away (typically 1-2 hours from Portland). These locations offer a different vibe and can make your senior photos truly unique.

Mount Hood: Mount Hood is a stunning location that offers a few different backgrounds for your senior photo shoot. In July and August, there are wildflowers in bloom and in September there are pretty fields. The mountain itself offers an epic backdrop for your photos.

Coast: The coast is the ultimate PNW location for senior photos. The earthy colors and variety of landscapes (forests, cliffs, fields, dunes, ocean, rocks) create a unique and stunning backdrop for your photos. It’s one of my FAVORITE places to shoot in Oregon!

Columbia River Gorge: The Columbia River Gorge is a unique and beautiful location for senior photos. In the spring, there are wildflowers, and in the summer, there are golden fields and stunning views. There are plenty of areas to roam around and get incredible senior pictures near by Portland!

---

Pros and Cons of Each Location

Each location has its own pros and cons – just like anywhere we shoot! Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your senior photo location:

Pros

• Mount Hood: Wildflowers in July and August, pretty fields in September, lots of variety, epic view of the mountain.
• Coast: The ultimate PNW vibe, lots of variety, unique and stunning backdrop.
• Columbia River Gorge: So pretty and unique, with wildflowers in the spring, golden fields and stunning views in the summer.
• Rivers: Pretty background, very nature-y, you can walk in the water, spalsh around!
• Forests: Ethereal, moody PNW, beautiful forest fairy look, lots of green.
• Fields: Classic senior photo vibe, easy to access, easy to pick outfits for this kind of location.
• Flower Fields: Beautiful, ethereal, pretty colors, perfect for flower lovers.

Cons

• Mount Hood: Potential bugs, hot/cold/windy depending on the day.
• Coast: Could be windy, cold, or rainy.
• Columbia River Gorge: Hot, bugs, ticks, snakes.
• Rivers: Bugs! Wear bug spray.
• Forests: Can be dark due to the tree cover.
• Fields: Itchy, potential ticks and bugs/snakes.
• Flower Fields: Hard to plan out correctly because the flowers always bloom at different times. And can be crowded since EVERYONE wants to see them!

---

Best Seasons

Each location is best during different times of the year. Here’s a quick guide:

• Mount Hood: July, August, September.
• Coast: May through October.
• Columbia River Gorge: May through October.
• Rivers: All year.
• Forests: All year.
• Fields: May through October.
• Flower Fields: April through August (each flower has a different season, so reach out for more info on this).

So there you have it – a breakdown of the different locations available for your senior photo shoot! Whether you choose a local spot or an adventure spot, we’re sure you’ll have stunning photos to treasure for years to come.

---

Contact me to get more info on my upcoming senior session availability! I’m currently booking out 2023 seniors July-October, but its never to early to get on the books for next year! Follow me over on Pinterest for more Senior Photo location and outfit inspo in Oregon and beyond!

And if you’re not located and Oregon but still want to Emily Noelle Senior Adventure experience, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m shooting all over the US – and am happy to travel to you! Check out my top shooting list locations that are on my bucket list!

My bucket list shooting locations:

• Mt Rainier, WA
• Crater lake, OR
• Olympic National Park, WA
• Utah! (I’ll be there in July 2024)
• Rocky Mountain National Park, CO (I’ll be there in July 2024)
• San Luis Obispo or Big Sur, CA (I’ll be there November of 2023)
• Painted Hills, OR
• Joshua Tree, CA
• Yosemite, CA