If you’re planning on getting engaged or recently got engaged – yayyy CONGRATS!! Now it’s time to capture the special moment with an epic adventure engagement photoshoot!! Oregon has no shortage of stunning locations to choose from for your engagement photos. From mountain ranges and waterfalls to moody sandy beaches and magical forests! As your Oregon engagement photographer (based in Portland, but shooting all over the PNW) I’m here to help ya pick the PERFECT spot for your photo shoot in Oregon.

Here are a few tips to help you pick the perfect location for your engagement session in Oregon:

Consider your interests

Think about locations that are significant to you and your partner. Do you enjoy the outdoors? Love the coast (like me?!) Or maybe you’re foodies and want to incorporate a favorite restaurant or brewery into your shoot. Choosing a location that reflects your interests can make the photos more personal and meaningful! You really can’t go wrong with an outdoors adventure session in Oregon though!

Look for scenery

Oregon is known for its diverse scenery, from the coast to the mountains to the desert. Consider what type of scenery you want as a backdrop for your photos. Beaches, waterfalls, and forests all make beautiful settings for engagement photos.

Consider the time of year

Oregon experiences different weather patterns throughout the year, so consider the time of year you’re planning your engagement shoot. Spring and summer offer beautiful wildflowers and greenery, while fall provides colorful foliage. Winter can be a beautiful time for photos too, with snow-covered landscapes – but it can be very wet and COLD!

Check out popular locations

If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve compiled a list with the top 10 best engagement shoot locations in Oregon! From the coast (my fave!) to the mountains; there’s bound to be a spot you’ll fall in love with!

Top Locations for an Engagement Photoshoot in Oregon:

1. Cannon Beach
2. Columbia river gorge
3. Pacific city
4. Bandon
5. Manzanita
6. Chapman Beach
7. Rowena Crest
8. Waterfalls
9. Forests
10. Mount Hood

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach: Located on the northern Oregon coast, Cannon Beach is known for its stunning views of Haystack Rock and beautiful sunsets. The beach is wide and expansive, providing plenty of space for photo opportunities. There’s a lot of locations within 20 minutes of Cannon Beach that are all epic & I’ll show you around to the best places!

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge: This scenic area located east of Portland features stunning waterfalls, sweeping views of the Columbia River, and beautiful hiking trails. Popular locations for engagement photos are located all throughout the gorge & I will send you a location guide with specific location names once you book!

Pacific City

Pacific City: This small coastal town is home to the iconic orange rocky beaches and huge sand dunes! The coast at Pacific City is a great location for beach-inspired engagement photos.

Bandon

Bandon, Oregon: This small coastal town is known for its picturesque sea stacks and beautiful sunsets. It’s a great location for rocky coast + forest-adorned beach engagement photos. There are plenty of scenic spots nearby, such as Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint and Sunset Beach.

Manzanita

Manzanita: Another charming coastal town, Manzanita is known for its beautiful beach and stunning views of Neahkahnie Mountain. The town also has a quaint downtown area with plenty of photo opportunities. Stop for brunch & coffee at Wanda’s Cafe! It’s such a cute spot. My favorite location for photos includes a .5 mile walk through a stunning coastal forest & leads you out to a beautiful surfer beach! There’s even a river & a waterfall depending on the time of year you visit.

Chapman Beach

Chapman Beach: The northernmost point of Cannon Beach but it’s so much less busy! You have the beautiful dunes grass, view of haystack rock, sandy beach & a coastal forest background. This one is super easy to access as long as you are able to walk through the dunes. Plus, it’s within 5 minutes of my other two favorite locations in the area so it’s easy to location hop!

Rowena Crest

Rowena Crest: This scenic viewpoint located in the Columbia River Gorge offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. The area is particularly beautiful in the spring when wildflowers are in bloom!! May-June is going to be GORGEOUS around the Gorge – book now for a Spring wildflower shoot in Oregon! I’ve only got 2 spots left!

Waterfalls

Oregon has tons of stunning waterfall locations for an engagement shoot or elopement! The best time to find them is in the Spring after all the rain and snow melt! I’ve got tons of accessible waterfall locations I can share with my clients!

Oregon Forests

If you’re looking for a unique location for your engagement photo shoot, consider exploring one of Oregon’s many forests. Oregon is home to a variety of forests, including old-growth forests, coastal forests, and high-elevation forests. These forests offer a beautiful and serene backdrop for your photos, and you may even spot some wildlife while you’re there! You can find plenty of beautiful areas just outside the city and all around the state!

Mount Hood

Mount Hood: This iconic mountain located in the Cascade Range offers beautiful views year-round. In the winter, engagement photos in the snow are a popular choice, while in the summer,(July-September) wildflowers and alpine lakes make for beautiful backdrops!!

How to Make Your Engagement Session Special

Making your engagement photo shoot more fun and special can add a lot of personality and meaning to your photos. Here are a few tips to help make your engagement photo shoot more memorable:

Dress up: Dressing up for your engagement photo shoot can make the experience feel more special. Consider wearing outfits that complement each other or reflect your personality. You could also dress up in formal attire or wear something that you wouldn’t normally wear. I’ve got Pinterest boards to help you decide what to wear to your engagement shoot!

Plan an activity: Plan an activity that you can do together during your engagement photo shoot. This could be something as simple as a picnic or a bike ride. Having an activity to do together can make the experience more relaxed and enjoyable. Even just making a date night out of it, go out to dinner or something you two enjoy can make the whole experience more fun!

Incorporate props: Props can add a playful and fun element to your photos. Consider bringing along items that represent your relationship, such as a favorite book, record or sports equipment. You could also bring along balloons, a picnic basket or even your furry friend.

Hire the right photographer. Choosing a photographer who you feel comfortable with can make all the difference. Look for a photographer who has a style that you like and who makes you feel at ease. This will help you relax and enjoy the experience, resulting in more natural and candid photos.

Remember, your engagement photo shoot is all about capturing your love and relationship. Have fun and be yourselves, and your photos will reflect that!

Oregon Engagement Photographer

I hope this post was helpful and that you discovered the best engagement session locations in Oregon! Overall, choosing the perfect engagement photo shoot location in Oregon comes down to your personal preferences and interests, and trusting your photographer! With so many beautiful options to choose from, you’re sure to find a location that speaks to you and your partner. Contact me to book your Engagement photographer in Oregon and lets start planning!