Portland Portrait Photographer

Photos that actually feel like you.

Not standing in one spot smiling at me for an hour. We'll walk around, explore somewhere pretty, probably laugh at something stupid I said, and I'll give you enough direction that you never have to wonder what the heck you're supposed to do with your hands.

PLAN YOUR SESSION

A woman smiling outdoors in a park during fall, wearing a beige hat, red off-shoulder dress, and large jewelry including earrings and a ring, with tattoos on her arm.

Portland University Grad with long curly blonde hair in graduation cap and gown, smiling, outdoors with green foliage and pink flowers in the background.

Portraits for whatever chapter you're in

Seniors + Grads
Senior year, college graduation, cap-and-gown photos, etc.

Families
Less "everyone stare at me and smile," more actual interaction.

Maternity
Documenting the weird, beautiful little stretch of life before everything changes.

Lifestyle + Personal Portraits
Because you don't need a milestone as an excuse to have great photos of yourself.

Portrait of a high school senior with glasses wearing a cream dress with floral pattern, smiling and holding a strand of hair, standing outdoors beside a wooden railing with trees and a road in the background at Latourell Falls

A young man with curly hair and a tan sweater sitting in a field of tall, dry grass, holding a tan notebook with a silver clasp at Powell Butte Nature Park

Portland portrait photography that doesn't feel like picture day

You are not a professional model, so I'm not going to stand 20 feet away from you and expect you to magically know what to do.

I'll tell you where to stand. I'll help with your hands. I'll fix your hair when it's doing something weird. I'll give you prompts and things to do instead of asking you to hold a smile until your face hurts.

The goal isn't to make every photo perfectly posed. It's to give you enough direction that eventually you forget you're being photographed.

A woman in a black graduation cap and gown standing outdoors behind a wooden fence, smiling, with greenery and trees in the background.

A person with a big smile, wearing a bucket hat, black shirt, and beige jacket, jumping with arms and legs extended against a colorful wall with orange, yellow, and red sections.

A woman wearing a black fur hat, a leopard print coat, and black tights standing outdoors during sunset, with her hand extended towards the camera.

A young man smiling in a wheat field on a sunny day.

A woman with curly blonde hair wearing a white dress, smiling widely, taking a selfie outside against a clear blue sky.

A person with curly hair leaning against a building with windows, wearing a beige sweatshirt and beige cargo pants, with a beige coat hanging from their hand.

A woman with red hair and freckles lying in a field of dry grass, looking at the camera with an intense gaze.

Young woman with brown hair, wearing black shirt and dark pants, sitting on outdoor stairs with a green, blurred background.

A woman with long blonde curly hair, smiling, in graduation cap and gown, sitting outdoors on a wooden bench, with greenery and pink flowers in the background.

A woman smiling in a leopard print coat and a black furry hat standing outdoors near a body of water with hills in the background during early evening or late afternoon.

Woman with dark hair and tattoos on her arms, holding pink sunglasses and looking slightly to her left, dressed in a light gray shirt, against a plain gray background.

A young man sitting in a field of tall grass, holding a brown notebook and a phone.

Woman with long brown hair wearing a white shirt, beige skirt, black jacket, and black boots, standing against a red brick wall with her arms outstretched, touching the wall on each side.

A woman with dark hair and earrings smiling, wearing a beige blouse and black cardigan, standing outdoors with a rainbow in the cloudy sky behind her.

Where to take portraits in Portland

Best for open fields, mountain views, tall grass and a more adventurous feel without leaving Portland.
Great if you want flowers, greenery and variety without walking five miles.
Forest, trails, redwoods, changing seasonal color — especially good if you want something woodsy.
For someone who wants their portrait session to feel like an actual little adventure.
Architecture, movement, crosswalks, parking garages, storefronts and a more editorial/city feel.

Not sure where you want to go? That's part of my job.

What to wear for Portland portrait photos

A young woman with red curly hair and glasses is standing outdoors during the daytime, leaning against a stone railing. She is wearing a white dress with a floral pattern and smiling while holding a strand of her hair. The background features trees and a road.

You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe for your photos. The best outfits are usually the ones that already feel like you — just a little more intentional. Think about colors that work with your location, pieces you can actually move in, and clothes you won’t spend the entire session adjusting.

I’ll help you figure out what photographs well, what works with the location we choose, and how to plan multiple outfits if you want some variety. And if you’re currently staring at your closet thinking, okay but what the hell do I actually wear? I made a whole guide for that.

What to wear guide

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 and love your photos.

A woman with dark hair, wearing a white blouse and light blue jeans, standing on a bridge with a green railing. She has her left arm resting on the railing and her right hand near her forehead, looking to her right. The bridge has a scenic backdrop of trees and mountains, with a large turquoise-colored arch structure in the distance and foggy sky overhead.

My Process:

What actually happens after you book?

01. We make it official
Contract + 50% retainer.

02. We plan the fun stuff
Location, outfits, timing, ideas.

03. We hang out + make some art
I’ll direct you, pose you, guide you as much or as little as you need.

04. You get your photos
Within 72 hours of our session you’ll get sneak peaks you session, then within 4 weeks of our session you’ll receive your final gallery.

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”

-Sarah

Portrait 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

Portrait sessions are perfect for newly engaged couples, anniversaries, maternity announcements, family sessions, senior session, headshots. If you’re envisioning something a little different please reach out and we can discuss your needs and find service that’s right for you.

A young man with dark hair and tan skin, wearing a brown sweater, sitting in a field of tall, dry grass, holding a brown leather notebook and pen, looking at the camera.

Get Started

FAQs

Sessions begin at $300 and can be customized and added onto as needed.

How much do portrait sessions cost?

1

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?

2

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?

3

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?

4

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?

5

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?

5

A woman with curly hair holding a black and white dog while standing on a rocky shore next to a river with trees and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

About Abigail Janelle Photography

I’m your Portland Portrait photographer capturing creative and beautiful portraits for those who want their photos to feel real and unposed. There’s nothing I love more than getting to document you, exactly as you are right in this moment.

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