Family photoshoot locations in portland

There are so many wonderful options for the perfect family photoshoot location in Portland. We are lucky to be surrounded by an abundance of natural areas with forests, meadows, and rolling hills all within the greater Portland area. I’ve managed to narrow it down to a list of my top 5 places to shoot.

What makes a great Portland family photoshoot location?

Accessability

I look for ease of access. I make sure it’s easy to park to and start our session without any hiking or hoping fences! Nobody wnats to get sweaty before they have their picture taken and you don’t want to crawl over obstacles with a baby in tow!

Safety

The location must be kid friendly. By that I mean there are no dangers (i.e. right next to a giant cliff! ) I want kids to be free to run around without parents stressing about saftey. A safe environments means that everyone is relaxed and happy.

Privacy

The location we choose should have a bit of privacy. Not only does a private area lend itself to better photos overall, but it’s also more relaxing when we don’t have to worry about passersby waiting for us to take a photo before going through the background or foreground of the shot. If you’re set on a popular location, this can typically be solved by going before or after peak visiting hours.

Best Portland Family Portrait Locations

Without further adieu, let’s jump into my favorite Portland family photoshoot locations!

Cooper Mountain Nature Park

Located in Beaverton, This 230-acre park has 3 miles of walking trails that pass through woodland forests and a wide open prairie. In Spring the hills are lush with tall green grass, but my favorite time of year at Cooper Mountain is in late July and August when the Queen Anne’s lace is in full bloom. There is a parking lot at the top of the mountain with restrooms and a playground.

Cooper Mountain Nature Park
18892 SW Kemmer Rd #5682, Beaverton, OR 97007

Reed College

With it’s classic english brick architecture, spralling green spaces, and tree-lined bridges, Reed College is a great location for family photos. It’s usually best to shoot here in the summer months of after peak class hours to avoid crowds of students. Within a small area there is a lot of diverse scenery, which makes it easy to get a huge variety of photos in a short amount of time. The grounds are full of mature trees that provide ample shade and filter any harsh sunlight on warm summer days.

Reed College
3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202

Bybee Howell House

This 1850s homestead perfectly captures the romantic countryside vibe of Sauvie Island. The property has been preserved by the city and the park area is well maintained. There are restrooms, picnic tables, an apple orchard, and a wide open meadow. Everything you could want for a photoshoot location. In sprint and summer you will be met with green fields and wild flowers. In Autum the giant oaks give us those amazing fall colors and really bring that cozy vibe to family photos.

Bybee Howell House
13901 NW Howell Park Rd, Portland, OR 97231

Mt. Tabor Park

Mt. Tabor is a gorgeous family photoshoot location any time of the year. With the abundance of evergreen trees and Rhododendron, there is always ample greenery in the park. In the dreary wintery months of Portland, Mt. Tabor will feel full of life. In the springtime the park is filled with gorgeous blossoming trees and the Rhododendrom flowers are everywhere! Even though this is a popular city park it is so expansive that it never feels crowded.

Mt Tabor Park
SE 60th Ave &, SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97215

Hoyt Arboretum

Nestled in the hills of Northwest Portland, Hoyt Arboretum feels like it is a million miles away from the city. There many different areas to shoot within the park, but my favorites are the Redwood Deck and Steven’s Pavillion. This location is perfect for hot summer days because the tree canopy is thick, which provides ample shade and cooler tempereatures. This is a popular location on the weekends, but crowds are easy to avoid in the morning hours and on weekdays.

Hoyt Arboretum
4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221

Let’s plan a family session at your favorite location

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