The 8 Best Graduation Photoshoot Ideas in Portland

Situated along both sides of the Willamette River, the city of Portland, Oregon, is a gorgeous city with countless photo ops. Portland has transformed from an industrial town to a hip city of young creatives, and it has the aesthetic profile to prove it.

This graduation season, you’ll want to take your pictures in the finest locations, and Portland has so many to offer, both indoors and among the trees. Luckily, Peerspace is the perfect way to find these locations. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we make it easy to discover and rent hidden gem spaces that are ideal for all your special moments.

Ahead, we’ve put together a list of some of the most beautiful homes, studios, and gardens to take your grad pictures in. Without further ado, here are several tranquil graduation photoshoot ideas in Portland.

1. Experience the beauty of Tendue, a historic space

First on our list is a Parisian-inspired apartment named Tendue in Southeast Portland. Beautiful white walls with picture frame molding are complemented by huge industrial windows lining a whole wall.

The windows are north-facing and let in great natural light all day. The open square space comes in at 700 square feet, giving enough room for any camera equipment you may bring. This is a fabulous location to take great minimalist photos that let your beauty shine through.

But don’t just take out word for it. Check out this Peerspace review from someone who booked this studio for their shoot: “Will be booking again absolutely. The most beautiful space with the easiest customer service team. Space was clean, Tristan was great and the atmosphere was dreamy to create in.”

2. Enjoy a well-equipped shoot in a cozy, sun-lit studio

We love this well-equipped creative studio in NE Portland, especially for its portrait potential. It’s a 1,700-square-foot space with several large windows that let in tons of natural light. The mix of bright white and exposed brick walls, along with the soaring ceilings, give the space vibrancy and airiness.

Not only that, but the studio provides you with chairs, sofas, rugs, and other accent furnishings to help you design your own portrait backdrop. Bring your Portland graduation photoshoot ideas to life in this eclectic studio.

But first, check out this helpful review from a photographer who calls this studio her regular. “Shelby [the host] is always extremely responsive, has an exceptionally clean and organized space, and is also super friendly! She keeps all of her info up to date and goes above and beyond to accommodate special requests. Ex. She set up the seamless backdrop for me! I’ll never go to another studio, simply because of how amazing Shelby is! I’ve done branding, birthday and boudoir shoots at indigo spruce.”

3. Capture beautiful shots in a stunning manicured forest/garden

If you want graduation photoshoot ideas in Portland that celebrate nature and the Far East, then you need to see this stunning 3-acre manicured forest/garden in Sylvan-Highlands. It is a wooden room with vintage furnishings, set in the heart of “Zenea,” the sprawling outdoor gardens that border Washington Park’s Arboretum.

Take pictures at the waterfalls, on the bridges, along the manicured trails, in the rose garden, or within the wood pavilion. The choice is yours at Zenea, but we can guarantee the results will be beautiful.

Here are some of our favorite Instagram photo ideas in Portland worth exploring!

4. Step back in time to a Dutch Colonial Revival mansion

We’re taking a look at another gorgeous historic home just south of Portland for our next pick. This Milwaukie house was constructed in 1912 in the Dutch Colonial Revival style.

Its interior is vintage, but the outdoor space is what we’re here for. The huge back porch overlooks a deep green backyard with a sturdy heritage tree to frame the image.

5. Explore the great outdoors without leaving the city

Let’s explore the great outdoors further in our next pick of graduation photoshoot ideas in Portland, shall we? Located in Tualatin Mountains just west of downtown, this natural escape is remarkably still within the city limits.

Snap a picture with one of the dozens of bird and mammal species that live in the forest reserve. The park comes in at over 5,000 acres so there’s no shortage of space to get the perfect shot.

Graduation is a time of growth in life, so why not symbolize that in your photoshoot location by picking the luscious growth of the pacific northwest forest? Just be sure to leave the heels at home!

6. Look into the future while posing in a vintage Airstream

The best thing about graduation is that it’s the start of a whole new chapter. Why not play with the concept of time by taking graduation photos in Margaux, the vintage 1969 Airstream? While it’s a vintage motor home, the hosts have revamped the interior to give it a warm, modern, minimal aesthetic perfect for grad portraits.

“We had so much fun with our photoshoot in Margaux,” shares a Peerspace reviewer. “I had branding photos there and we took photos inside and out. The space was great! Clean, warm, functional.”

Check out these unforgettable graduation photo ideas for more inspiration as your plan your shoot!

7. Go full bohemian at this sun-filled airy bungalow

Packed with warm, contemporary furnishings, this charming and sunny bungalow in Vernon can elevate any photoshoot for beautiful, sophisticated graduation pictures. The home’s interior features a quartz-style kitchen, wood beam ceilings, hardwood floors, a concrete fireplace, a clawfoot tub, plenty of plant life, a piano, and a rattan swing. Outside, discover a hen house, a lounge area, a dining space, and a covered patio. It’s a truly magical place that feels plucked from a fairytale.

“This space is absolutely gorgeous––inside and out,” shares a Peerspace reviewer. “There are endless photo options in every room and it has an amazing feel and energy about the space––a reflection of the owners and their attention to detail! It is as spacious as it looks, and there is a ton of beautiful natural light for a photo or video shoot in every room.”

8. Curl up on a cozy couch in this stunning A-frame chalet

Our next pick is by far one of the most beautiful graduation photoshoot ideas in Portland with an incredibly soothing vibe. This A-frame house is truly one-of-a-kind. For starters, it’s huge, coming in at 2,500 square feet. The furnishings are doing a lot of the work here, but the exposed timber roof and beautiful view make you want to curl up on the couch with a hot cup of cocoa.

“Amazing and unique location for a photoshoot and hosts are friendly, communicative and accommodating,” shares a Peerspace reviewer. “Highly recommended and would book again!”

Graduation photoshoot ideas in Portland: conclusion

Portland is a gorgeous city, with countless cool converted industrial spaces and coffee shops galore. And not to mention the many stunning homes, from Victorian to Craftsman styles. There are plenty of great graduation photoshoot ideas in Portland, and you’ve got a wide range of options to choose from. From the world-class green spaces to the wide selection of stylish homes, there’s no shortage of great places in this magical city.

Discover even more photoshoot options on Peerspace. You can also count on us to help you discover grad party spaces and other fun spaces to celebrate all your life’s milestones.

Find unique production venues in Portland on Peerspace