The 8 Best Graduation Photoshoot Ideas in Portland

Situated along both sides of 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. We’ve put together a list of some of the most beautiful homes and parks 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.

2. Enjoy a globally influenced shoot in a cozy, sun-lit studio

From the Barcelona chair to the Moroccan rug, this creative studio space is a great photography location with a globally informed style. Lit by the west and north-facing windows there’s a ton of natural light in this space. Whether you gaze out the window at the beautiful trees or sit in any number of fashionable chairs your grad pictures will look great in this studio. Bring your Portland graduation photoshoot ideas to life in this eclectic studio.

3. Capture beautiful shots in a vibrant Victorian house

Our first home photoshoot location is a stunning Victorian home that has been maintained to perfection. Honey-colored wood frames, all the arches, and doors with beautiful scrollwork to match. The key room in this house is the sitting room. Modern furnishing contrast the historic structure to create a truly unique look. The centerpiece of the sitting room is a hammered copper storage unit and have you ever seen anything so cool? One pose idea in this great space is to casually lean on the updated and very stylish lacquered ornate mantle.

4. Step back in time at 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. Take praise-worthy pictures at Cathedral Park

We’re going to stay outside for this next selection on our list of the best graduation photoshoot ideas in Portland. Named for the Gothic arches supporting St. Johns Bridge, Cathedral Park sits under the bridge connecting Saint John’s to Whitwood Court in Northwest Portland. It’s is an amazing place to take photos for any occasion. Popular with wedding parties, this location is also a great place to take graduation pictures. The grand arches are contrasted by the hilly forest in the distance and make for a stunning backdrop to any shoot.

7. Live a life of luxury in a fully furnished penthouse

Packed with warm, contemporary furnishings, this penthouse apartment in Northwest Portland can elevate any photoshoot for beautiful, sophisticated graduation pictures. From the sleek fireplace to the plush sofa, there are so many places in this apartment to take posh photos. Best of all, the balcony gives way to a breathtaking view of the mountains and cityscape.

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 4,000 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.

Create unforgettable memories in Portland!

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 public parks to the wide selection of stylish homes, there’s no shortage of great places in this magical city.

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