Portland Couples Photographer
Photos that actually feel like you.
Photos that feel like you two on a really good day.
I’m Abigail, a Portland couples photographer for the wildly in love, a little camera shy, down to explore somewhere beautiful, or just looking for an excuse to get dressed up and smooch in the woods while I say “awhhh, so pretty” over and over again.
Engagements, anniversaries, proposals, or no reason at all. You don’t need to know how to pose or what the heck to do with your hands. I’ll help with that.
You just show up as your wonderful, unique selves.
You don’t need a milestone to take really good photos together
Maybe you just got engaged. Maybe you've been together for ten years. Maybe you want to celebrate an anniversary, document this particular season of your lives, or finally get some photos together that aren't selfies and somebody's blurry iPhone picture from across the room.
Whatever the occasion may be, everyone deserves photos that are really freaking good.
Your relationship is already full of all the things I want to photograph - the way you make each other laugh until you snort, the weird little inside jokes you make when it’s just you two, the way you naturally reach for each other in quiet moments.
My job isn't to manufacture that because you already do it so beautifully on your own.
My job is to give you enough direction that you aren't standing in front of my camera wondering what to do, then create some room for the two of you to melt into one another.
We'll walk. Explore. Move around. Probably laugh at something stupid. I'll tell you where to put your hands when you need me to.
And somewhere along the way, it starts feeling a whole lot less like taking pictures.
Couples photos without the “okay... now what?” awkward feeling
You are absolutely not expected to show up knowing how to pose. Literally no one does.
I like to use a mix of direction, movement and prompts throughout your session so you always have somewhere to start. Sometimes I'll give you very specific direction. Sometimes I'll give you something to do and let whatever happens happen.
If something looks great, we'll stay there.
If it doesn't feel like you, we'll move on. Simple as that.
The goal isn't to collect 50 versions of you smiling at my camera. It's to give you a gallery that has variety—big landscape shots, tiny details, movement, quiet moments, laughing-until-your-face-hurts moments and, yes, a few photos where you're both actually looking at the camera for the grandparents.
You don't need to perform your relationship for me.
You just need to show up.
Engagements, anniversaries + just because
Engagement Photos
You're engaged!! Heck yeah.
Engagement photos are a chance to document this weird, exciting little stretch of life before the wedding—and they're also a really good way to get comfortable together in front of a camera before somebody photographs you for eight hours on your wedding day.
We can hike somewhere beautiful, wander around Portland, head to the coast or build the session around something that actually feels like the two of you.
Anniversary Photos
You don't suddenly stop deserving good photos together once the wedding is over.
Whether you're celebrating your first anniversary or your fifteenth, an anniversary session can be as simple as picking somewhere beautiful, getting a little dressed up and spending an evening together.
No vow renewal required. Unless you want one.
Just-Because Couples Photos
No ring. No anniversary. No announcement.
Perfect.
Some of my favorite sessions exist simply because two people wanted good photos together.
That's enough of a reason for me.
Couples Photography Pricing
Every session includes the following:
Photography coverage for up to 1 hour
Up to 2 locations within 30 minutes of the original location
50+ high resolution images with rights to prints
Photos delivered within 4 weeks of session
Pricing begins at $300
Not just engagement photos — anniversaries, maternity announcements, family sessions, seniors, headshots, or literally any reason you want good photos of yourselves. If it doesn't fit neatly into a category, reach out anyway.
Where to take couples photos in Portland
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For open views, tall grass, winding trails and a little more room to move around. Powell Butte is especially good if you want your session to feel outdoorsy without driving hours outside Portland.
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If you're picturing huge trees, forest trails and approximately 900 shades of Oregon green, this is a good place to start. There are tons of different little pockets to work with, which gives us plenty of variety without spending the whole session driving around.
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Flowers, greenery and a little more structure than a fully wild outdoor location. The Rose Garden can feel romantic without becoming overly formal, and we can wander into other parts of Washington Park for a completely different look.
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Waterfalls. Forest. Cliffs. Big views.
If you're willing to drive a little outside Portland, the Gorge opens up a whole different set of possibilities. It's especially good for couples who want the session itself to feel like a little adventure.
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And if you want to make a day of it?
Let's go to the coast.
Windy hair, bare feet, giant rocks, weird Oregon weather and sunsets that occasionally decide to absolutely show off. I'm always down for an excuse to head west.
Not sure where you want to go? I’ll help you figure that part out.
What should we wear for couples photos?
First rule: you should still look like yourselves.
You don't need to buy an entirely new wardrobe or show up dressed like somebody else's Pinterest board.
I generally recommend colors that work well with the environment we're shooting in, clothing that fits comfortably and pieces you can actually move around in. Warm tones, neutrals and earthy colors tend to photograph beautifully around Oregon.
I'd avoid super-bright neon colors because they can reflect color back onto your skin, and I'd rather not spend our entire session fighting a fluorescent green glow on your chin.
Most importantly, wear clothes that fit you, instead of trying to make yourself fit into a particular size.
When you book, I'll help you think through your outfits and how they'll work with the location we've chosen.
But Abigail... what if it rains?
We're in Oregon. Rain is kind of part of the deal.
I keep a close eye on the forecast leading up to your session, but I'm not going to call it over a little cloud icon five days out. Oregon weather changes its mind approximately every ten minutes, and an overcast day can actually give us some really beautiful, soft light.
If the weather looks like it's genuinely going to make your session miserable, we'll come up with a plan together.
That might mean adjusting our start time, choosing a location with a little more coverage or rescheduling for another day.
The goal is never to force a session just because it's on the calendar.
I want you to actually enjoy being there.
What working together looks like:
01. You reach out
Tell me about the two of you, what you're celebrating (if anything), what kind of scenery you're drawn to and any ideas you've already been kicking around.
You absolutely do not need to have everything figured out before contacting me.
02. We plan
We'll choose a date and location, talk through outfits and figure out what makes sense for your session.
Have a very specific vision? Send it my way.
Have absolutely no idea what you want other than “pretty outside somewhere”?
I can work with that too.
03. We go make some art
I'll guide you the entire time, especially in the beginning while you're getting comfortable.
Then we'll walk around, explore and let things get a little looser.
You never have to wonder whether you're “doing it right.”
04. You get the good stuff
I'll hand-edit your final images and deliver them in an online gallery where you can download, share and print your favorites.
And then you get to have actual photos of the two of you that don't involve one person's arm disappearing out of frame because they were holding the phone.
Testimonials
“I f***ing love working with you. Always such a good experience and I feel so confident when I look at the pictures. Thank you so much!”
-Kieran
“I’m crying these are so so so sweet and cute. You make such a safe space to be silly loud and loving. Thank you for being you! And sharing your talent with us!!!”
-Meghan“Omg we were not expecting this so soon! You are absolutely amazing! And such a beautiful person! Hopefully we will have you take pictures for us many times in the future”
-SarahPortland Couples Photographer FAQ
Sessions begin at $300 and can be customized and added onto as needed.
How much do portrait sessions cost?
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Yes! Dogs are always welcome when the location permits them. I’ll help you think through leash requirements, trail conditions, transportation, and whether you may want someone available to care for your dog during portions of the day.
Can I bring my dog?
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I encourage you to bring at least two outfits! Bring clothes that fit well and feel true to you. And always dress for the weather. I don’t want anyone freezing and sweating to death.
Can I change outfits?
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I keep a close eye on the forecast leading up to your session, but I’m not going to call it over a little cloud icon five days out. Oregon weather changes its mind approximately every ten minutes, and an overcast day can actually give us some really beautiful, soft light.
What happens if it rains?
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It’s my job to help you pose. I never expect anyone to be a pro model when they show up to their session. I’ll be guiding and directing you throughout your whole session. I love to keep things simple and if you feel up to it we can have some fun and get creative!
Do you help with posing?
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I travel up to 3 hours outside of Portland with no additional travel fees. If you’re dreaming of something a little further away. Reach out and we can chat about my travel fees.
How far outside Portland do you travel?
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About Abigail Janelle Photography
Portland photographer, professional location scout, dog person and the one who will absolutely tell you what to do with your hands.
I photograph people in a way that feels natural, a little adventurous and actually fun to be part of.
I'm much more interested in the way you two interact with each other than making every single thing look perfectly posed. I'll step in when you need direction, back off when something good is already happening and probably get way too excited when the light gets really pretty.
Based in Portland and available throughout Oregon, the coast, the Gorge and wherever else you want to drag me.