Looking for a stunning backdrop for your engagement session? Joshua Tree National Park offers iconic desert landscapes and dramatic rock formations perfect for adventurous couples. As a Joshua Tree engagement photographer, I’ll guide you to the best spots and capture unforgettable moments in this magical setting.
The rolling golden hills at Rowena Crest were dancing with the wind when we all arrived at the Columbia river Gorge overlook! It was so fun to prance around and laugh SO MUCH during these photos! It was an absolute blast to hang out and enjoy the summer afternoon together!
THINGS TO DO AROUND ROWENA CREST VIEWPOINT —
// Eat at Eastwind Drive-in
// Coffee at Dog River Coffee Co.
// Stay at The Society Hotel, Bingen
If you live in Oregon or have spent any time here in the winter, then you know it can be pretty rainy during the fall through spring! So, that means that for winter engagement photos (if it’s an extra stormy week), you have to get creative!
AND, let me tell ya, there are LOTS of cool places! Just jump on Airbnb or VRBO and you’ll find a list of places that you can rent to have some cozy in home photos together! I love this idea, because it also is a great excuse to make a fun overnight trip out of it! A little getaway together AND photos savoring that too!
These two found an adorable cabin in the woods near Hood River, Oregon! They had coffee, played their fave music, and got all the cuddling while getting to stay cozy inside! If you think you might want something like this for YOUR engagement photos, shoot me a message! I have a list of amazing Airbnbs you should check out!
THIS ADVENTURE COUPLE SESSION MADE ME WANT TO PACK UP, MOVE INTO A COOL VAN, AND TRAVEL THE DESERT AND CALIFORNIA COASTLINE!
Hello, meet the coolest van life couple EVER! Also, the kindest humans you’ll ever meet! After hanging with Lydia and Philip for that afternoon, we all wanted to just keep chatting for hours! Check out their Instagram to follow along on all their van-lifing adventures together!
Grateful for these sunny, desert adventures together in Joshua Tree National Park!
As you explore Lassen National Forest, you may stumble across this gem of a waterfall in Shasta County. It truly appears out of nowhere, and if you get there at just the right time of day, it’s grandness draws you in with the sun beans bursting through the sprays of water!
Loved getting to explore California’s beauty with these two!
As many of you know — I have an equal love for all things adventure in nature AND a love for the creativity a city photo shoot holds! So, exploring down town with these two was so fun. Every corner was a new adventure and challenge to create a meaningful image!
AND, a fun story from this shoot! After chatting a bit, we realized Scott is IN the band that did Josiah and I’s first dance song!!!!! WHAT THE HECK?! Basically, I met a celebrity and had a starstruck moment when I found out hehe. So, everyone should go check out @mybrothersandi and also go listen to the song Fly Away. K, that’s all. I adore these two.
I also found a list of the 50 most beautiful cities in the world, while that may be kind of subjective, I still found myself wanting to go to every single one of them! So, check them out and maybe we can go explore one of them while doing photos! ;)
There are so many incredible locations to head to for your engagement photos - and the CITY is one of those! We explored The Pearl district in Portland, OR for Joey and Allison’s engagement session!
I love all the dynamic lines and angles the city offers for photos — every corner is a new challenge and canvas to make a good photo. There is so much creativity to be had in urban-scapes, and I’m grateful to all my couples who trust me to co-create images with them in those kind of spaces!
Why would you wake up at 3:00 am to drive east into the Columbia River Gorge, you ask? Well, let me tell ya, it was well worth waking up before the sun to explore the rugged pnw with these two babes! Also, coffee helps! ;)
You really can’t get much more Pacific Northwest than the Gorge — pine trees, moss covered boulders, foggy mountains, and windy rivers! It was a perfect morning to watch the sun rise!
There was lots of cuddling and snuggling up to keep work in the early dawn hours, but I think red noses and chilly cheeks are cute… right? ;) We had a blast exploring this secret Oregon cove, and soaking up having the WHOLE SPACE TO OURSELVES! It was a gorgeous morning together!
November in the PNW is always hit or miss for weather (usually a miss haha), but Kaylee and Sam had the most BEAUTIFUL sunrise in the Columbia River Gorge for their engagement session! One might even say it was GORGE-ous… ha… ha. Too much? K done with puns.
We all stood in awe as the fog flowed over the hills and became illuminated by the sun. Everything felt as though it had been painted in gold, and the light was absolutely stunning!
I love doing couple photos in the Gorge, and Rowena Crest is up there on my list! It always looks different depending on the season you go. The fall colors were in full saturation this time, and those earthy tones stole my heart right away!
I had such a blast hanging out with these two wonderful people! We met as strangers, but left feeling like friends. I’m so grateful for this job — the stories I get to hear and moments I get to be a part of! It was seriously such an honor to savor this season of life for these two, and soak up all the beauty of an Oregon fall sunrise!
So, make some coffee, curl up, and enjoy the moments below (without having to get up at 3 am haha).
Oh, Oregon - I’m grateful to live in a state where I’m an hour drive from the Columbia River Gorge and get to watch the sunset while capturing two people in love! It’s pretty dang dreamy!
I love the mix of warm tones and forest vibes that the Gorge has to offer, it’s the perfect PNW feels. You have the rocky clifftops, tree covered mountains, and shimmering water ALL IN ONE SPACE. AHH!
Anyways, enough of me drooling over how beautiful Oregon is and how much I love the landscape! Now, time to get giddy over how amazing and adorable these two humans are!!
Man.
THESE. TWO.
Bailey and Kokanee are just such gems. They brought so much joy to the shoot and our evening together! They truly soaked into each moment and even embraced the crazy, wild, BEAUTIFUL windy hair (yep, both of them have frickin’ luscious locks #hairgoals)!
I love the feeling I get when I’m invited into a story – that’s what it feels like when I’m capturing two people together. It feels as though I’m an observer of a greater moment than just two people standing in front of a gorgeous view – I’m experiencing a small snippet of their journey and savoring that.
And WOW I’m so so so grateful to be a part of that!!
It never ceases to truly move my heart.
So, thank you two these two babes for inviting me into this space with them – for soaking up the sunset with me, wandering along ridges, and sharing parts of your story with me!! I’m excited for all that this year holds for you two – both the good and the hard – I hope you can savor and soak it all up! Just remember how good you are at those airport arrival hugs. ;)
Grateful. Grateful. Grateful.
// VISTA HOUSE
