One of my favorite things about being a wedding photographer in Bend Oregon, and what peaked my interest to move to this smaller city in the middle of nowhere is the accesability to nature, places like this.  I had shot an elopement at Steelhead Falls a while ago, and I love it there, so I was really excited to hear that this was the place Joshua wanted to propose when he reached out.  They even brought their dog who was super photogenic. 

What I love about hiking in for proposals is the versatility trails provide for photo backdrops.  There’s always a variety of interesting light along the trail and I typically spend most of the hike in scouting locations for the hike back after the proposal.  I don’t mind shooting in full sun, but it sure was nice to find some shade that day.  Take a look at some of the images from thier session below if you’re wanting some inspiration for your engagement photos.  

I’m Nick- a wedding and elopement photographer based in central Oregon, serving couples who enjoy intimate and candid story-telling around the PNW!  If you’re looking for wedding photos for your Bend Oregon wedding or elopement, reach out by filling out my contact form HERE. 

Check out the photos from this proposal session I recently shot in Mt. Hood HERE!

Almost four years ago when I decided to move my wedding photo business to Bend, I posted a giveaway for a complementary engagement session and got an overwhelming amount of entries from couples in Oregon.  After over five years of being a wedding and engagement photographer in the Midwest, these engagement photos I shot on the Oregon coast were a sign that I made the right decision moving my wedding photo business to Oregon.  I think Oregon has everything a photographer could dream of, so being a wedding photographer here definitely feels special.  I love photographing natural, wide-open spaces, and Cape Kiwanda is somewhere I’ve wanted to get back to ever since my first engagement session there. 

I met Abi and Hayden at Cape Kiwanda for a golden hour engagement session on the coast, where we roamed through the towering sand dunes that make up this stunning photo spot.  I have too many favorites to share! 

We made our way to a ridge they would always hike up to and watch the sunset from while they were dating, and these photos from their “spot” up being my favorite from their engagement session.

This is one of my favorite locations I’ve taken engagement photos at in Oregon, and I think these photos below speak for themselves so I won’t explain why.  The images feel so authentic to Abi and Hayden, which is why I always love looking back through their gallery for inspiration.  The only thing I regret is not bringing my film camera!  

We ended the session at the beach and I snapped some photos as we walked back to our cars.  The light here fit really well with my style.  

Check out my Instagram HERE to see more from this session and more of the recent weddings and engagement sessions I’ve shot.  If you’re looking for a wedding photographer or engagement photos in Oregon, reach out HERE and I’d love to chat!  

Mt. Hood is so beautiful.  I’m lucky that it’s such a relatively close drive from Bend (where I live).  When Alex reached out to me about proposing to Anna, his original plan was to head to Crater Lake national park, but this is your sign to always check road conditions because all of the park roads were closed from a heavy snowstorm.  We pivoted locations last minute to Mirror Lake trail up in Mt. Hood, and I’m so glad we ended up at the lake for their proposal photos.  

After hiking in a couple of miles through thick snow, I arrived at Mirror Lake to find a spot to hide, only realizing that I was the only one at the lake, surrounded by a blanket of white snow, wearing a yellow camera bag.  I think I would have looked more suspicious hiding behind a tree if Anna somehow saw me, so I just did my thing and pretended to be a tourist with my three cameras and giant camera bag.  Let me tell ya, it was quiet as a mouse at the lake when they arrived!

The proposal was so sweet to capture.  Then we spent the rest of their engagement session wandering around Mirror Lake, capturing some of my favorite engagement photos so far this year.  Check out more of the images from their session below, or head to my Instagram @nickrazphotography  to see more of my wedding and engagement work.

Inquire with me HERE for your 2024 or 2025 wedding or engagement and let’s get something in the books!