A GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE PERFECT LOCATION
First let’s brainstorm what type of locations you like. Do you like the pastel beach sunsets, or snowy mountain tops? Maybe you like green Oregon forests, or grassy hillsides. Do you have a special location that is meaningful to you? Maybe where you got engaged, or had a first date? Somewhere that is linked to a favorite memory?
year round
Peavy arboretum - Corvallis
This spot looks great year round! Includes a grove of Sequoia’s, a blue barn and other forest trails. Located in Corvallis, OR
*This location is accessible*
Mary’s Peak - Alsea
Small wildflowers bloom in June/July. There’s also pathways for a more forestry backdrop. This is a winding road just outside of Alsea, OR and it is about a 20 minutes drive from the highway. It can get windy and cold up there, so bringing a jacket or cute blanket is preferred. This location is typically not available during the winter time due to excess snow.
*This location is accessible*
Champoeg State Park - Newberg
A very accessible location with lots of variety in one place. This location is best in September & October. There’s also a barn, open fields, and an orchard with apples.
*This location is accessible*
There is a $5 State Park Fee to use this location.
Champoeg State Park (lower area) - Newberg
About 45 minutes from Portland, and an hour from Corvallis. There’s a big open field that’s great for sunset anytime of year.
*This location is accessible*
There is a $5 State Park Fee to use this location.
Baskett Slough
Salem/Rickreall, OR
This is an open field area that has wildflowers in June but is great at any time of the year
Accessible with no hiking involved. Just pull up and park!
Sunset is ideal for this location.
FITTON GREEN - CORVALLIS, OR
There is a little bit of walking required to get this location - about 5-10 minutes from the parking lot. It is a small .5 mile walk up to the top, but is family friendly and easy to walk up! Sunset into blue hour is ideal for this location. It can get a little windy/chilly up there depending on the day. I suggest bringing jackets or a blanket to wrap up in.
Finley wildlife - corvallis, OR
This spot has a lot of open fields, and a cute red barn.
*Dogs aren’t allowed
silver falls - silverton, OR
Forest & Waterfall Spot, great anytime of day/year!
*Dogs aren’t allowed
Mt Pisgah - Eugene, OR
Spring/Summer/Fall is typically ideal!
Bushs pasture greenhouse - Salem, OR
bushs pasture lower area - Salem, OR
Spring is ideal for this location for wildflowers (End of April into May), but the trees look great yearround
deepwood museum - Salem, OR
Spring/Summer/Fall is ideal for this location!
Spring
Cherry Blossoms - Salem, OR
Available end of March-early April
peony farm - Salem, OR
No entry fee! Dogs are welcome
End of May/Early June
Iris Gardens - Salem, OR
$10/per person entry fee, 12 and under are free
Mid May-End of May
Oregon Tulip Festival
Woodburn, OR
Festival dates vary each year, typically this festival hosts from the end of March to early May.
Sunrise is best for this location
An entrance fee is required to enter the fields (Typically $5-20 depending on the amount of people in your car)
Location is typically muddy, so boots are a must!
ROWENA CREST - Columbia River gorge
This is a great spot for wildflowers during the month of May. The flowers usually bloom in early-mid May! Rowena Crest is located just outside of The Dalles, OR. *This location is accessible*
There is a $100 Travel Fee to this location with the 1 hour package
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
(Second Location Idea: Pair this with Multnomah or Latourell Falls)
summer
West union gardens Sunflowers
hillsboro, OR
Usually in bloom in August & early September! There is typically a $5 charge per person or $20 group fee.
$35 Travel Fee
Wayward winds lavender - newberg
Usually in bloom in early-mid July. There is typically a $20 fee to photograph here.
timeline lodge
Mt Hood, Oregon
Wildflowers are in bloom the end of August!
There is a $75 Travel Fee to this location.
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
fall
lover’s Lane - Corvallis/OSU
A great spot for fall color in early - mid November.
*This location is accessible*
larwood covered bridge - Scio
Cars do use the bridge, so you will need to watch your little ones and be cautious!
wilamette mission - salem, OR
Finley wildlife - corvallis, OR (Fall time)
peavy arboretum - corvallis, OR (Fall time)
winter
Tombstone pass - hwy 20
This spot is located out about an 30-40 minutes from Sweet Home. It’s a pretty accessible location if you are wanting snow. The parking area can be a little icy though. Best time of the year to visit is the end of Dec-Jan.
*Travel fee is $25
donovans tree farm - corvallis, or
Open end of Nov-Dec
Dogs are welcome!
CENTRAL OREGON
Waldo Lake - Blue River, OR
This is a gorgeous spot for camping, easy lake access with a short walk.
*There is a $80 travel fee for this location.
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
BLACK BUTTE RANCH - SISTERS, OR
There are a few public areas that we are able to shoot at! The forests are great, and there is a big open field that is prefect for running shots and a glimpse fo Black Butte. There is also a lake with the Sisters mountains in the background that makes it a gorgeous sunset scene. Sunset is ideal for this location.
Travel Fee of $60
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
Smith Rock State Park - Terrebonne, or
This spot is located out in Central OR. Sunset is ideal for photos! There isn’t much walking around required, you can basically pull up and walk around a little bit to capture the cliffsides.
There is a $100 Travel Fee to this Location & $5 Day Use State Park Pass Fee
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
Sparks Lake - Cascade Lakes, Bend, OR
There is a rough terrain and pot holes when driving to this location, so please be careful!
*There is a $100 travel fee for this location.
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
blue basin - john day
This spot is located out towards Eastern OR, and is about an hour east of the painted hills. It’s a fairly big area with lots to explore!
*Travel fee is $140
Only $40 WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
COAST
Cape Kiwanda - Pacific City
This is a very popular beach location that can be crowded during the weekends, so a weekday is usually suggested for this spot. It is a 5-10 minute walk down to these rocks. Low tide is best if you’d like to venture further onto the rocks. There is a hike up to the dunes that can be made if you’d like to go up on the cliffs.
*There is a $20 travel fee for this location.
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
Oswald west Forest - south of cannon beach area
There is a $65 Travel Fee to this location.
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
(Second Location Idea: Pair this Location with Cannon Beach/Hug Point)
cannon beach
There is a $75 Travel Fee to this location.
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
(Second Location Idea: Pair this Location with Oswald West/Hug Point)
hug point - cannon beach
There is a cave, and waterfall on the beach!
*There is a $60 travel fee for this location.
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
(Pair it with the Oswald West Forest or Cannon Beach)
manzanita beach - manzanita
*There is a $60 travel fee for this location.
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
Proposal Rock - Neskowin
A coastal spot that is best at sunset time. This spot is only accessible during the low tide time of day, the creek will flood the walking area.
*There is a $20 travel fee for this location.
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
Seal Rock State Park - Oregon Coast
This is a great spot to get variety. Not only is this a beach spot, but also a pretty magical forest where light likes to shine through closer to sunset! Anytime is great for this location, either morning, late afternoon or sunset.
There is a $25 Travel Fee to this Location
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
Oceanside - Oregon Coast
A beach area with a “secret” walk through cave that brings you to another side of the beach. This is a unique spot and one of my favorites! I recommend this spot for families with kids that are old enough to climb down rocks.
There is a $40 Travel Fee to this Location
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
nedonna beach - rockaway
Perfect beach spot completely covered in Driftwood! Also includes tall sea grass to mix up the look!
*Travel fee is $50
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
Cape arago - coos bay
This is a drive up viewpoint that requires no hiking. Avoid going at low tide, it is prettier when the water is full at the bottom. This spot is beautiful year round, but can be a bit cold/windy so please prepare accordingly.
*Travel fee is $100
OR
FREE TRAVEL WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
(Second Location Idea: Pair this with Sunset Beach)
destination
stout grove - Crescent City (Northern CA)
This spot is located out about an hour or so from Grants Pass, and is such a pretty option. This is a short 1/4 mile walk to this area from the parking lot. Lots of fallen looks to climb on, big ferns, and giant trees.
*Travel fee is $225
OR
$125 WITH 2 HOUR PACKAGE
Indoor
gray lab - salem, OR
An indoor studio with lots of backdrop & couch options
*There is an hourly fee of $65 for this location
Studio Jae - lebanon, OR
An indoor studio with a bed option
*There is an hourly fee of $50 for this location
