Sometimes the best things are worth waiting for, and Heidi and Nathan’s engagement session at Hoyt Arboretum in Portland is proof of that. We ended up rescheduling their engagement session a few times due to some pretty unpredictable spring weather – which honestly caught me off guard since Oregon had a more sunny spring. But the engagement session just kept falling on the one rainy day. When we finally got our perfect day, everything fell into place beautifully.




Heidi and Nathan are getting married this September, and I couldn’t be more excited to photograph their wedding. When we started planning their engagement session, they were clear about wanting something that felt authentically Oregon. A location that really captured the essence of the Pacific Northwest they both love. Hoyt Arboretum in Portland turned out to be a great choice for that vision.






The moment we stepped onto the trails, I knew we’d made the right call waiting for the perfect conditions. The towering Douglas firs and maples created these incredible natural cathedral spaces, while the lush undergrowth provided that uniquely Oregon backdrop Heidi and Nathan were hoping for. The filtered light coming through the canopy was absolutely magical, giving their photos a dreamy quality that makes Hoyt Arboretum such a special location for couples.








What I love most about shooting at Hoyt Arboretum is how the landscape naturally brings out genuine connection between couples. There’s something about being surrounded by these ancient trees that makes people slow down and just be present with each other. Heidi and Nathan were so relaxed and natural throughout the session – they laughed, they explored the trails together, and they let the peaceful energy of the arboretum guide their interactions.






The variety of settings within Hoyt Arboretum Portland also gave us so many options for different looks and moods throughout their session. If you are wanting to create some images like these, I would love to connect with you!






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