Planning Your Oregon Engagement Photos

Dreaming of Oregon engagement photos? Whether you’re dreaming of an epic coastal backdrop, a forest trail, or vast meadows in the sunset, Oregon has everything you need for exceptional engagement photos and a memorable experience. As a photographer who loves capturing genuine love stories amongst the most beautiful nature sites in Oregon, I’m here to guide you through planning the perfect Oregon engagement photo session, from start to finish.

Location, Location, Location! 

And honestly, in a beautiful state like Oregon, it is easy to find and hard to pick just one. But don’t worry, we’ve got a lot to choose from, and hey, that’s okay! Go with what fits you and your partner best. And, I can always help guide you through the location selection process, it’s part of what I do.

Here are some great location suggestions:

1. Memorable/Important Spot – Some couples opt to take photos in a space that is significant to their relationship (like where they met, for example). Couples have met in supermarkets or movie theathres, and sometimes these nontraditional spots can make for some really spectacular engagement photos.
2. Romantic – There are so many romantic outdoor spots in Oregon to consider. Think coastal dramatic cliffs, for example. Doesn’t quite get more romantic than that!
3. Woodsy – Oregon has some of the most glorious woodsy areas for photographs. Arboretums, vast meadows, etc. And they’re beautiful throughout all four seasons, 365 days a year!
4. Urban/Modern – If you’re looking for some edge within your Oregon engagement photos, and some modern city vibes, Oregon has got you covered. It’s a diverse place. Think Portland’s Pearl District or Alberta Arts for starters!

Tiffany and Jimmy’s photos were taken in a beautiful outdoor vast space adorned with trees and surrounded by Oregon’s beautiful countryside. Tiffany + Jimmy embraced nature’s gorgeous backdrop within their photos and they chose a fantastic time of day to take their Oregon engagement photo session photos, which allowed for spectacular natural lighting throughout the session and great shadows when taking close-up photos and photos alongside trees.

Talk with me or your photographer about the best time of day to photograph at the location you choose. Optimal lighting can make a tremendous difference in your engagement photos!

What time of year to plan your Oregon Engagement Photos?

This is entirely up to you and what your vision is as a couple. But, I’m happy to share some of my ideas!

Spring: Take your photos feeling the warmth of the sun–the vibrant flowers in full bloom and new lush greens. Spring is a beautiful time of year to book your Oregon engagement photo session.

Summer: Summer sunsets give the term “golden hour” its spectacular meaning. And there is nothing like the golden sunsets on a summer evening. This time of day in the summer is truly perfect for photos on the beach, amongst wildflowers or meadows.

Fall: Fall is another season where the golden sunsets complement the colors of fall perfectly. This makes for truly spectacular photos. Fall is a really fun season for photo sessions because you have a lot to work with color wise to work with the fall foliage and make your Oregon engagement photo session special.

Winter: Most people shy away from outdoor winter photo sessions. But, dramatic snowy photo sessions can be very romantic, and a great way to heat yourself up during a cold winter afternoon!

When to take your engagement photos?

Golden Hour or Blue Hour? What’s the difference anyway?

The Golden Hour and Blue Hour are two specific periods of time that give off natural light that photographers like me love! These moments of the day give off flattering qualities and are great for certain moods and colors.

Golden Hour:
The Golden Hour is either shortly after sunrise or just before sunset. When you see golden natural lighting in an outdoor photo, it was likely taken during this time. Photos taken during the Golden Hour usually show warm golden tones, long shadows, and glowing skin tones creating a super romantic, golden atmosphere in the photos.

Blue Hour:
The Blue Hour is either just before sunrise or just after the sun sets. Blue Hour photos showcase cool, bluish tones and soft even lighting. Photos taken at this time of day create a calm and cinematic vibe. Fantastic for urban photographs or moody portraits as streetlights and building lights provide great contrast against the twilight.

So now that you know the difference between these two very important timeframes in photography, Golden or Blue hour is completely up to you and your partner, and what location you choose to take your photos.

You’ll notice Tiffany and Jimmy’s photos showcase Golden Hour vibes with warm golden tones throughout the photos. Making for some truly breathtaking outdoor engagement session photos.

As you can see, there is a lot that goes into putting the perfect Oregon engagement photo session together, but I make the process as easy as possible so that you and your partner feel relaxed and can take spectacular photos like Tiffany + Jimmy.

Are you looking to book an Oregon engagement photo session? Let’s talk!  Contact me HERE.