Couple posing together in front of lush green bamboo, with the man in a blue suit and the woman in a floral dress.

Tips for you’r Portland Engagement Session | Bryan + Ashley

Bryan & Ashley wanted to capture some stunning images in Downtown Portland, Oregon, so we started the session with some family photos and then moved into couple photos for about an hour. While we focused on couple photos, Bryan’s sister took Hannah and the dog to play in the park. This arrangement worked perfectly as we wanted to wrap up the session with the whole family again, showcasing different outfits. It was a fantastic way to spend a beautiful spring day in Portland’s iconic Pearl District, which wasn’t too busy at the time.

As a Portland Family Photographer and Portland Engagement Photographer, we recommend starting your session with just the two of you to get comfortable in front of the camera. From there, we encourage doing what feels right for your session. If you have kids or pets and want to include them, we can ensure it’s a fun and memorable experience for everyone. On the other hand, if you want photos focused solely on the two of you, that’s perfectly okay! You don’t need to turn it into a family session unless that’s what feels right for you.

Whether you’re looking for engagement photos, family photos, or a mix of both, Downtown Portland offers the perfect backdrop to create timeless memories.

Family posing in front of a modern wooden backdrop with sunlight streaming through, featuring a man, woman, young girl, and a black dog wearing a bandana.

Black-and-white close-up of a smiling family featuring a woman, a young girl, and a man, all embracing each other outdoors.

Family posing outdoors on a grassy lawn with urban buildings in the background, featuring a man, woman, young girl, and a black dog wearing a bowtie.

Black-and-white photo of a smiling young girl holding a large decorative ‘W’ in focus, with a couple kissing in the blurred background.

Family posing outdoors with an urban backdrop, featuring a man, woman, and young girl holding hands and smiling together.

Smiling woman in a floral dress hugging a young girl in a blue dress outdoors, with pink flowers and a bench in the background.

Family walking hand in hand on a cobblestone path, featuring a man in a blue suit, a woman in a floral dress, and a young girl in a blue dress.

Couple sharing a kiss on a sunny downtown street, with cars and urban buildings in the background, framed by tree branches.

Smiling man in a blue suit being kissed on the cheek by a woman in a floral dress, with a warm outdoor backdrop.

Close-up of a couple holding a ‘Mr & Mrs’ sign, with the focus on the woman’s hand wearing an ornate engagement ring.

Couple holding hands and laughing while walking along a sunny urban sidewalk, with a lively street scene in the background.

Smiling couple embracing outdoors, with the woman in a floral dress holding the man’s suit lapel while they pose together.

Couple posing together in front of a modern wooden sculpture, with a tall glass skyscraper and autumn tree in the background.

Couple posing in sports jerseys outdoors, with a historic industrial building and water tower in the background.

Family posing on a grassy field in sports jerseys, featuring a man kneeling with a football, a woman and young girl standing, and a black dog also dressed in a jersey.

Family playing football on a grassy field, with the woman throwing the ball, the man catching it, the child doing a cartwheel, and their dog jumping in excitement.

Couple in sports jerseys posing on a grassy field with a scenic bridge and urban background in Portland, Oregon.

Black-and-white close-up of a smiling couple wearing sports jerseys, with the woman’s hand resting on the man’s shoulder, showcasing her engagement ring.

Family posing on a grassy field with urban buildings in the background, wearing sports jerseys, holding a football, and accompanied by a black dog in a jersey.

Smiling young girl in a sports jersey posing with a black dog also wearing a jersey, on a grassy field with urban buildings in the background.

Smiling couple in sports jerseys laughing together on a grassy field, with a bridge and trees in the background.

We love engagement sessions that include the whole family from children to pets! Here are some tips to make the session fun for everyone:

Bring a friend or family member who can keep an eye out if you have little kids and/or pets. Even if your kids are old enough it can still be a big help during couple photos.
Pictures and kiddos/pets don’t mix very well, so it’s a good idea to have something to reward them with like treats to toys.
Pick a location that is family friendly and not too busy. Kids and pets are easily distracted, so a location that is not too busy with other people and pets works best.
Pick a time that is not near meals as hungry kids and pets can be cranky.
Bring extra outfits for the whole family as pets like to jump on you and kids like to play in the dirt. It’s better to have something and not need it, than need something and not have it.

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Tips for you’r Portland Engagement Session | Bryan + Ashley

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