This guide was created to help you choose your location for your senior photo shoot this fall. No exact locations will be named in this guide in order to keep that information for booked seniors only. After you book with me, you will get the name of the locations/location pin. If you’re wanting to get your Fall Senior Pictures done, don’t wait to reach out – Summer will be over before you know it!!
Fall colors have a different timing every year so there is no way that I can 100% know when a specific location will have fall colors. Please keep this in mind when forming expectations around your shoot. Fall is often the start of the rainy season so you can expect potential reschedules because of rain.
Reach out via DM or email if you have any questions. When you fill out the senior photoshoot inquiry form, you can mention which location you like so I know which spots you love. You also don’t have to decide right away. The most important thing to do is choose a date and officially book your shoot! Your location can be changed and moved as we plan your shoot & you want to make sure you get a spot before anything else.
Out of September, October, & November, it can be tough to choose which is best for your senior photos. september is going to have the nicest weather & the September dates will always book up the quickest!! mid-October early-November typically has the best fall colors. november is normally the rainiest fall month but don’t let that scare you away. I’ve had beautiful November shoots many times. I highly suggest booking the earliest you can so that if it is rainy on your shoot date, we have plenty of time for a reschedule.
One consideration you should make is yearbook senior photo due dates!!! check with your school asap and ask what date the yearbook photo is due & ideally, you’d have your shoot 4-6 weeks before that date. no worries if you can’t squeeze that in though because i deliver a preview gallery with 10 images 3 days after your shoot & i have a rush gallery deliver add-on option that means you’ll get your full senior photo gallery in 7 days!!! you’l receive this add-on guide along with the pricing guide once you inquire.
You can check out my Pinterest board for the best senior photo outfit inspo! It’s full of fun outfit ideas & senior photo inspiration. I add new ideas all the time. You can also create your own Pinterest board to organize your ideas. Here are a few of my favorite outfits from last fall ⬇️
Okay, so these are things that inspire me & locations that I’ve been dyingggg to go to!! if you use one of these in your shoot I will give you $50 off your shoot. You can only get the discount once.
Notes about this location:
35 mins from Portland
2 hours & 20 mins from Eugene
40 mins from Vancouver
This location is one of my favorites for fall! There are a few cute bridges, an epic waterfall, tree-lined curvy roads, everything you could want for a fall shoot!
Notes about this location:
1 hour & 20 mins from Portland
3 hours from Eugene
1 hour & 20 mins from Vancouver
If you want a golden field for your senior photos and then also want amazing views (not your average golden field), then this is the spot for you. Falls colors in the background & lots of fields to frolic through!
Notes about this location:
45 mins from Portland
2 hours & 25 mins from Eugene
47 mins from Vancouver
Golden fields, rocky cliffs, trees, & mountain views!!! Love this location so much!
Notes about this location:
2 hours from Portland
15 mins from Eugene
2 hours & 5 mins from Vancouver
If you’re located in Eugene and want to stay close to home this is a perfect option. River access, pretty fields, & fall colors trees everywhere!!
Notes about this location:
1 hour & 25 mins from Portland
3 hours from Eugene
1 hour & 45 mins from Vancouver
Dunes grass, dark rocky cliffs, the ocean & the occasional elk show up at this spot! Super accessible as long as you can walk around in the dunes a bit.
Notes about this location:
1 hour & 35 minutes from Portland
3 hoursfrom Eugene
1 hour & 45 mins from Vancouver
A 0.5 mile walk is required for this location!! Amazing coastal forest, rocky surfer beach, and then an epic cliffside overlook. This spot has it all!
Notes about this location:
1 hour & 30 minutes from Portland
3 hours from Eugene
1 hour & 45 mins from Vancouver
**this is where the “la push” twilight scene was filmed!!!**
Coastal forest, sea stacks, rocky coast, & cute bridge. This spot does require some walking to get to certain spots.
Notes about this location:
1 hour and 30 mins from Portland
3 hours from Eugene
1 hour & 45 mins from Vancouver
This location has the pretty red/orange rocky cliffs that a lot of people love. The forest here is a unique one and different from most of the coastal forests. Low tide ONLY for this one.
Notes about this location:
2 hours from Portland
1 hour & 15 mins from Eugene
2 hours & 10 mins from Vancouver
One of my favs and seniors hardly ever book here ahhh!! If you’re in Corvallis, Salem, or Eugene this spot is specifically perfect for you! Amazing mountain views on a clear day & and then on a cloudy day you’ll be ABOVE the clouds! Fields & forests too.
Notes about this location:
45 mins from Portland
1 hour & 30 min from Eugene
1 hour from Vancouver
This one is in my town! We can location hop in the small town of Newberg going from downtown walls, to the boat dock, to the George Fox bridge, to golden fields.
Notes about this location:
10 mins from Portland
1 hour & 45 mins from Eugene
25 mins from Vancouver
A classic senior photo spot. If you want a forest location + a more “fancy” option, this is a great one. It’s right next to my favorite forest so we can easily one spot and then the other!
Notes about this location:
10 mins from Portland
1 hour & 45 mins from Eugene
25 mins from Vancouver
Favorite local forest by far!!! So many trails & pretty views. This place is the fall is STUNNIING!
Notes about this location:
55 mins from Portland
2 hours & 45 mins from Eugene
40 mins from Vancouver
For the Camas/Vancouver seniors (& whoever else loves this spot) this river/forest location is a dream! Cute bridge, a forest, and then cool rocky river spots too!
Notes about this location:
20 mins from Portland
1 hours & 45 mins from Eugene
25 mins from Vancouver
And finally, if you love flowers & golden hour this is for you! I know some of you wanted a spring wildflower shoot but forgot to book early enough, so therefore this is a great option if you want a summer/fall shoot but still want flowers. Reach out about peak bloom dates and then book asap!
September: 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 15th (Olympic National Park, WA), 17th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 27th, 28th, 29th
October: 2nd, 4th, 5th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th, 30th, 31st
November: 1st, 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 13th- 16th (San Luis Obispo, CA), 21st, 22nd
Overall, booking a photo shoot in the Fall is never a bad idea! With warm and cozy colors, and then the coll and crisp temperatures. You will get the photos of your dreams. Especially if ya book with me haha kidding, but not really! Now don’t forget the earlier you lock in your date the better! At this time my schedule is getting booked out quicker than ever. I think everyone is looking forward to the scorching heat of summer to end at last!
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Emily is a senior photographer serving Oregon, Washington, and California.
[…] If you’re looking for more ideas on Where to Take Senior Photos Near you – I can help! As your PNW expert guide, I help my clients create the senior session of their dreams – which includes an abundance of location ideas! If sunflower fields aren’t your jam – maybe consider booking a senior session on the coast of Oregon! […]