Oregon is gorgeous, and I love being a photographer here. I thought about listing all the locations I use in the Albany area, but the list got too long for one blog post. So instead I’ll talk about the types of locations and we can pick your perfect spot once you’ve narrowed it down. I’m also always up for an adventure, so if you’ve got a favorite spot in mind, I’d love to hear about it! When picking your location, think about how far you want to drive, what types of places your family likes to spend time together, and the feeling you want to have in your photos. Some locations are seasonal, and others look great year round. If you’re printing your photos for your walls, consider what would look good with your home decor. Time of day will also be a factor. Many locations are ideal at sunset and others will work in the morning as well. Read on to learn some of my favorite locations for Albany, Oregon family photos. Once you know the type of location, I can help you pick which specific spot will be best for you and your family.
I have two favorite spots for mountain views near Albany. Both are gorgeous and within an hour’s drive. I prefer golden hour for mountaintop sessions.
Albany has gorgeous parks, and so do Corvallis and Salem and the surrounding towns. These are some of my favorites especially in the fall, and they’re great if you don’t want to drive far. They have ponds, streams, trees, fields, bridges…let me know what you’re looking for, and I’ll let you know which park will help us create a gorgeous gallery.
In the spring, the orchard has apple and cherry blossoms. Summer is great for green, and I love the apple trees in the fall. The red and yellow gives great pops of color. It’s perfect if you want a fall feel without the deep reds and oranges of the changing leaves. And if you love those bright fall leaves, the pear trees turn a gorgeous orange in the fall. Morning and evening are both good at the orchard.
The beach has my heart, and I’m always looking for an excuse to go. If you’re looking for a location with multiple backgrounds, we can pick a beach with trees near by like this session with Kolton and Kaylee on my website. Beaches are best during the summer months for warmth and sunshine, and I’ve got some favorites within an hour and a half of Albany. If you live further away on the coast, I’m definitely up for the drive.
I love using covered bridges as a back up for rain, but they’re perfect for sunshine, too. In the fall, my favorite covered bridge is surrounded by trees with changing leaves, and it has a gorgeous stream running under it. This spot is great at sunset but also nice for morning sessions.
We are so lucky to have gorgeous flower fields. Here are some of my favorites. Some of these locations have entrance fees and some are free.
Cherry blossoms end of march beginning of April
Irises and lupine in May
Peonies in May and end of June
Sunflowers end of summer and into September
Dahlias in September and October
Downtown has beautiful historic buildings, and it’s great for adding texture and interest to your photos. It can also be nice if you’re wanting a session outside golden hour as the shade gives us more flexibility with session time.
Maybe I’m biased, but I really think Oregon is the best place for family photos. We have forests, mountains, beaches, beautiful flower gardens, and gorgeous parks. I have my favorite list of top locations for Albany, Oregon family photos, and I’d love to help you find the one that’s best for your family.
Looking for more tips for your family photos? Check out this post on what to wear: https://jenwhitephoto.com/what-to-wear-oregon-family-photos/
Ready to schedule your family photos? Reach out today and let’s chat. I’d love to help you find your perfect spot. https://jenwhitephoto.com/contact
For some of my favorite flower patches to visit with your family, check out this blog post I wrote: https://jenwhitephoto.com/spring-flowers-salem-oregon/