For years my favorite time of year was fall in Portland Oregon, but I think wild flower season is tied with that now. In Early summer the Columbia River gorge explodes with wild flowers, and nothing beats the warm nights in the Gorge with wild flowers, and bee’s buzzing. Its absolute magic.

Summer is the time of year that I urge clients to get family photos taken, my main reason I suggest this time of year is because for one its the most predictive time of year when it comes to weather especially here in the PNW. It’s also a time of year that kids aren’t in school so they tend to have more energy.

Wild flowers are only here for about 3 weeks.

They bloom around late June- Mid July. So its very short window, and I highly suggest if you want photos in this spot in particular to book a week night. The area gets crowded on weekends now that its become a more popular spot.

When it comes on what to wear I am a little bit of a bully and tell my clients to stick with muted colors.. yes I said it I am a sad beige mom when it comes to the wild flowers but its for a reason okay! The flowers are colorful and bright and the grass is a beautiful shade of green and by wearing more earth tones and beige etc allow for you guys to be the main focus and to compliment the flowers! I’m not saying no to pinks and spring colors I am just saying be aware of the shades you pick. Keep the colors muted.

Timing of your photoshoot: Warning its kind of late…

I always get nervous to tell parents of how late your start time is for sessions in the summer, its normally around 7:30/8pm. I can already see the cringe face you’re making, I get it believe me I do. But family photos are normally about once a year, and its WORTH IT. In my experience the kids don’t even notice how late it is once we get started, we play and dance and we definitely bribe them with treats. Turn it into a “YAY we get to stay up late and play tonight!” mentality.