Best Family Photo Locations in Portland for Young Children

When thinking of the best photo session locations in or near Portland, Oregon for children and toddlers, my mind as a parent goes to:

1.) safety (no cliffs or super rocky terrain),

2.) easy accessibility (no thank you to steep trails or large amounts of walking & let's have plenty of parking, please) and

3.) amenities (is there a bathroom nearby and a playground for before/after the shoot?).

As a Portland photographer who is also a mother, I think about those three things consistently, along with... does the location have good lighting? How crowded is that location in Portland? And finally, is this location going to aid in storytelling?

For example, a photo session on the Oregon Coast is automatically going to help tell your family's story through interactive activities on the beach. Let the siblings build a sandcastle together? Having a jumping contest in the waves? Mom helps daughter look for seashells? Yes, please to all of it! Some locations are simply a beautiful field of tall grass, so telling your family's story is definitely still possible, but requires a little extra creativity in keeping your kids engaged through the process. And that's what I'm here for!

Luckily, you don't have to worry about any of it because I've spent the time scouting the best locations for your family photography session in Portland (or close to Portland) so that when you book a session with me, I do most of the heavy lifting and give you a few final options for you to make the call (or leave it 100% up to me which is totally fine as well!). Most parents want either an adventure session, planning the whole day or weekend around the photo session (I see you Oregon Coast), or they prefer something very close to home (or even IN their home!). Either way, I've got you covered.

Since I mentioned the Oregon Coast a couple times already, you can tell I love shooting there and mentioned a couple reasons why already so I'll start there:

The Oregon Coast: Why Both Families & Portland Photographers Love it

Let's start with the pros:

• Easy accessibility - parking & easy walk from parking lot, although sometimes limited on busy weekends

• Wide open spaces for the children to run

• Interactive environment (jump in the waves, climb rocks, build sand castles, the options are endless)

• Bathrooms close by - either right next to the parking lot or nearby (or in the ocean?!)

A few potential cons to consider:

• It's a long drive from Portland but doable in most cases

• Crowded on summer & holiday weekends

• Sometimes high tide can limit beach areas like the rocky cliffs

The fine print:

• Most all beaches require a parking fee for the parking lots closest to the beach

I personally love shooting on the beach in Pacific City, Ecola State Park, and Fogarty Creek in Lincoln City, Oregon. I find that Cannon Beach is often super crowded. I prefer less crowds overall and find the other locations to be equally noteworthy in terms of beauty without the mass crowds.

The Columbia River Gorge: The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music...

Let's start with the pros:

• Wide open spaces for the children to run

• Gorgeous can't-be-beat views that scream "THIS is Oregon"

• Wildflowers in the spring & summer

• Fewer crowds at the spots I have scouted for us

• No parking fees (except a couple of locations)

A few potential cons to consider:

• A long drive from Portland - often conflicting with young children's bedtime in the spring & summer. I recommend changing them into pajamas right after the shoot & let them fall asleep on the way home, making the transfer to crib/bed easier.

• Accessibility highly depends on specific location - luckily, the Mosier location pictured above is SUPER easy to walk to, yet has the feeling you're out in the middle of nowhere. Another location near Beacon Rock, however, is trickier with young children - lots of uphill walking - but parents do it for the beautiful views.

Now let's get into the nitty-gritty of spots closer to Portland:

Since I am based in Sandy, Oregon, I'll start with the locations I love shooting at closer to me. These are all on the east side of the I-205 making it more convenient for the families living on the east side of Portland, Oregon City, and Gresham without having to cross any downtown Portland bridges. Then we'll get to the west side spots.

East Portland: Powell Butte Nature Park

Let's start with the pros:

• Beautiful views all around, including Mt. Hood if we walk to the top

• A beautiful field for the children to run in

• Overall gorgeous

• No parking fees

A few potential cons to consider:

• Parking is absolutely atrocious on the weekends. I try to avoid this place at all costs if you book a session Fri-Sun, especially if it's a holiday.

• Accessibility depends on what you desire. If you want expansive views, we have to walk to the top. I've done it many times with my toddler and/or photography gear and yes, it's stoller friendly, but it's a workout. It takes about 10 minutes to get to the top depending on your speed, much longer if we stop and take some breaks along the way.

• Bathrooms are available but are never clean. I don't let my toddler touch ANYTHING in there (not with any public restroom but especially this one)! But they are available, nonetheless.

Even with all the cons to consider, I do love shooting at this easy to get to Portland location. It's where I photographed my own toddler for one of her milestones. And it's a convenient spot on the map for both of us - me coming from Sandy and you most likely coming from the west.

Troutdale: Sandy River Delta

Let's start with the pros:

• An expansive field for the children to run in

• Easy, flat trails to walk

• Plenty of parking

• Bathroom available (although unclean)

A few potential cons to consider:

• Parking fee of $5 or a Forest Pass

• You can hear the I-84 traffic if we choose the field closest to the parking lot

I don't have a lot to say about this location except that it's nice and convenient. It's a place less about the views and more about family connection. My favorite feature of this troutdale park is the rustic fence! And there's almost always a large puddle for the kids to jump in at the end of the session (if parents allow, of course).

Mt. Hood

Let's start with the pros:

• Beautiful view of Mt. Hood (in most locations and with sunny weather)

• Easily accessible

• Bathrooms (or I'll warn you if only a private tree is available)

A few potential cons to consider:

• Longer drive

• Crowds during the weekends

I mostly shoot right outside of Timberline Lodge, as they have a beautiful view of Mt. Hood and trails and wildflowers in the summer. In the winter, it's fun to also get some shots of the children sipping on hot cocoa by the window! I recommend a weekday for this spot during the winter to avoid heavy crowds of skiers.

Oregon City: Canemah Bluff Nature Park

Let's start with the pros:

• A beautiful field full of camas lilies in late April

• A boardwalk making a great feature in photos

• A playground next to the parking lot

• No parking fees

A few potential cons to consider:

• Some poison oak off-trail (I know where it is after personally learning the hard way!)

• Sometimes the bathroom is closed (usually in winter)

• Sometimes parking is mildly challenging on spring & summer weekends

I love photographing here as it always feels tranquil - lots of open space and the lighting is always magical here.

Estacada: Milo McIver State Park

Let's start with the pros:

• A barn & open meadow - lots of running around space

• Clean bathrooms available year-round

• Plenty of parking

• Easily accessible, flat walking paths

A few potential cons to consider:

• Parking fee of $5 or a State Park pass

• The lighting isn't always the best because it's set down in a bowl BUT we can shoot slightly earlier than golden hour because of it, helping with toddler bed times.

• No playground

• Somewhat far of a drive for those coming from West Portland

Lake Oswego: Luscher Farms

Let's start with the pros:

• Gorgeous white barn

• Greenhouse

• Beautiful gardens

• Large field to run in

• Easy parking

• No crowds (usually)

  
  

A few potential cons to consider:

• Bathrooms are a port-potty

I love photographing here and non-related to photography - I had my baby shower under their tiny shelter during a May rainstorm at this place! It's so beautiful and bucolic.

Wilsonville: Graham Oaks Nature Park

Let's start with the pros:

• Beautiful expansive field

• Stroller-friendly paths

• Lupine in May

• Easy accessibility, flat trails & parking - no fees

• Bathrooms are clean (as far as park bathrooms go!)

  
  

A few potential cons to consider:

• No playground

Beaverton: Cooper Mountain Nature Park

Let's start with the pros:

• Tall grassy fields with a view

• Beautiful paths & easy walk (although somewhat uphill on the way back)

• Playground and bathroom

A few potential cons to consider:

• Parking can sometimes be difficult but not always

• Only a couple spots off trail we are allowed to photograph in and there is somehow ALWAYS another photographer using that spot no matter the day of week or time of day!

This place is beautiful but I do dread shooting here because it's not very freeing creatively. Meaning, I'm constantly worried about whether or not I'm breaking the rules. One time, I was photographing a family in the dedicated photography spot (after waiting for another photographer to finish up there) and a local jogger said we couldn't shoot there - stoping the flow of our session and putting a bad taste in our mouths. I explained to him that we are in the right spot and when he saw the sign, he apologized. I only use this location if you are from this area and really don't want to make the drive out east, which is understandable, especially if you have young children. Just know that I do it for you because I love you lol!

Camas, WA: local nature area near Lacamas Lake

Let's start with the pros:

• Tall grassy fields with trees all around

• Beautiful walking trails

• Camas Lillies in April

• Playground & easy parking nearby

A few potential cons to consider:

• Uneven trail leading to the field but luckily only a few minutes' walk

• Poison oak off-trail - it's important we stay on-trail! (luckily the trail is beautiful)

• No bathrooms

• No going off trail and running through the field of flowers

I LOVE this location. It doesn't seem like much - field and trees - but it just feels magical and private. I love the colors & tones that come out in your photos at this place. Highly recommend but will require holding your toddler while walking in certain areas leading up to the field as there is poison oak to consider. I brought my toddler here with no issues but that's because my husband carried her most of the time. I let her walk ahead of us during certain parts of the trail. As for photos, this is doable because most of the photos are about your connection with one another anyway, so there will naturally be holding, cuddling, and hugging, keeping your little ones close by.

Brush Prairie, WA: Botanical Gardens

Let's start with the pros:

• Gorgeous gardens, benches, and walking paths

• Beautiful walking trails out to a large field and forest

• A small orchard

• Rustic fence and tall trees in the background

• Free & easy parking

A few potential cons to consider:

• No bathrooms (there's a porta potty down the road at another park)

• No playground

This spot is newer to me, as I've only shot here a couple times but have been really loving it!! There are just so many options for background and activities.

Downtown Portland

You may have clocked me as a die-hard nature girl and while that is true, I do love the city believe it or not! Going to restaurants, Powells Books, and walking around the local shops is where you'll often find me!

Let's start with the pros:

• Interactive environment of looking through shop windows, street-crossing, admiring the buildings, getting ice-cream, etc.!

• Fun & different

• Bathrooms aren't hard to find!

A few potential cons to consider:

• Unpredictable people - I was doing a shoot one time in downtown and a man, who I presume was "on something" kept walking up to me and asking about my camera in an erratic way, then wobbling off, then would come back and sometimes get into the frame. Eventually he went away but it's an unfortunate reality when being in downtown Portland. It's not a deal breaker and I've always felt safe but something to consider.

• Parking - most likely will have to pay for it or fight for it but hopefully worth it lol

We can do a coffeeshop photoshoot, bookstore, ice-cream, or I've always wanted to do a specifid taco place in east Portland near Hawthorne! We could even just walk around and shoot in a nearby plaza. The options are endless which makes it unique and fun.

Your Own Home

I saved the best option for last. Why do I love in-home sessions so much? The #1 reason is how personalized it is. Your home is the perfect backdrop to tell your family's story. You spend the most time there. You've made the most memories there. Or if you just moved, you're about to start making memories there so why not kick it off with a photoshoot? Your wall hangings, your furniture, your knick-knacks, your child's stuffy, and the activities within those walls all play into who you are as an individual and a family.

People's first thoughts are - my house is not photo-worthy. It doesn't have to be! Do you have a window? That's all we need.

Another hesitation is - my house is messy. Yes, while clutter can affect the general feel of photographs, I'm never getting so up close to things where you have to deep-clean your whole house. Just shove things into a closet for an hour and call it good - I don't shoot inside closets (unless it has a good window -ha!)

So many pros:

• Interactive environment - your home is where you cook, fold laundry, play games, do art & crafts, snuggle on the sofa - the options are endless for a photoshoot!

• Personalized - automatically personalized to your family without forcing anything.

• Bathrooms are easily available! And parking, too.

• You & your children are already comfortable there - no need to get used to a new location.

• You don't have to worry about arriving on time because you are already there.

• No traffic

• Easily capture your everday moments that you will want to cherish forever like how you rock your child to sleep, baking together, or playing where they took their first steps.

A potential con to consider:

• Your own anxiety about how your home looks - I promise I only care about good light and not a whole lot else. Declutter, sure, but also keep it normal looking as though you actually live there!