Alexia & Michael's dreamy Mt. Hood elopement. We started with getting ready photos in their cozy room at Timberline Lodge, followed by a short hike at the base of the mountain, where they exchanged vows in a quiet forested area near the Zigzag River. They shared a champagne toast and picnic before heading back up the mountain, strapping on their snowshoes and venturing out to watch the sun set. They capped the evening with dinner in the Cascade Room at Timberline Lodge. I can't think of a better way to celebrate!

Two marine biologists meet at a Fish & Wildlife conference and the rest is history. I love their origin story. Big congratulations to Stephanie & Eric! Their laid back Oregon Coast wedding at Yachats Inn was a delight to capture. We even carved out time for their first look and couple portraits at the stone shelter at Cape Perpetua.

Loved the low-key vibe of Michele & Pat's Arch Cape Oregon Coast elopement. They rented a gorgeous beachfront house big enough to host their family and closest friends. They took their time getting ready, drinking champagne with friends and savoring every minute. When it was time for the ceremony, guests walked down the beach to a scenic spot that the couple picked out. Their ceremony was short and sweet, and ended with them walking into the ocean hand in hand, smiling and laughing together. After a quick champagne toast on the beach, guests made their way back to the house for the reception, where tables were set up on the deck overlooking the ocean. Meanwhile, we snuck out of the reception for some golden hour portraits at nearby Hug Point Falls. It was the perfect way to end the evening.

How would I describe Grace & Ryan's Coleman Guest Ranch wedding? Rustic elegance comes to mind. Their lively summer celebration was filled with lovely country details like custom wood signs and seating chart. Guests watched longhorn cattle graze in the nearby pasture during cocktail hour. The playful couple kept the dance floor filled and the party going all night. It was so fun to capture!

If you’re planning a fall wedding in Oregon, check out these highlights from Jonas & Kathryn’s autumn wedding at West Hills Vineyards in Salem. This new wedding venue has a charming chapel for the ceremony and reception, as well as beautifully landscaped grounds and access to the vineyard for portraits. The day of their wedding was one of those October days when the weather can’t make up its mind, sunny one minute, rain the next. We made the most of it though!

Still swooning over Sydney & DJ's Oregon Coast wedding at Cape Perpetua. The couple made much of the decor themselves, including the driftwood wedding arch, which they assembled the night before. They exchanged vows on a quiet stretch of beach in front of a small group of family and close friends. For the reception, they transformed a group site at Cape Perpetua campground with strings of white lights, candles and gorgeous florals.

Rowena Crest is one of my absolute favorite portrait locations in the Columbia River Gorge. With its sweeping views, rocky terrain and seasonal wildflowers, it always makes an interesting backdrop, especially at golden hour. It wasn't the original plan for Virginia and Jordan's engagement session. We had planned on going to Government Cove (another popular spot in the Gorge), but it was closed for a private event. We had just enough time to drive to Rowena Crest in time for sunset. It was well worth the drive.

Looking forward to Virginia & Jordan's wedding next year!

Some highlights from Josh & Shayna's gorgeous forest wedding at Camp Colton this summer. It was so much fun to capture their joyful celebration. I loved every detail. Stunning florals by Flowers by Alana, delicious food by Crave Catering and a lively reception with DJ Aquamarine. ⁠⁠Cheers to Josh & Shayna!

Dora & Zach's dreamy winter engagement session at White River West Sno-Park near Government Camp, Oregon. This winter wonderland with stunning views of Mt. Hood made the perfect backdrop for their playful engagement session. Still obsessed with Dora's stylish winter coat and hat.

The look on Drew's face when he saw Monique in her wedding gown was priceless. They exchanged vows under a canopy of towering trees at CedarVale Events. Monique wore her mother's wedding veil and her grandmother's blue stone ring from Tiffany's as her "something borrowed." Their reception incorporated their love for board games with Scrabble pieces spelling out their names at the head table. Guests enjoyed lawn games, dancing and scrumptious treats from 1927 S'mores ⁠Here are some highlights from their wedding. The full wedding gallery includes 800+ images.

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Caroline & Matt’s elegant summer wedding at Zenith Vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Their sweet dog, Maisy, was there for the first look and served as the ring bearer, stopping to greet guests as she made her way down the aisle. Cheers to the happy couple! ⁠

Sometimes it's worth getting up at the crack of dawn. This was one of those times. Loved capturing this stunning bridal session at Stansbury Island at Great Salt Lake in Utah.

Scroll to the bottom of this post to see all the talented vendors that made this shoot amazing.

Some highlights from Dora & Zach’s intimate riverfront wedding in Southern Oregon. They celebrated with family and their closest friends at River Mountain Lodge, a spacious home along the Applegate River with mountain views. It was a gorgeous weekend.⁠ Cheers to the newlyweds!

Caught in a downpour on their wedding day. Most brides would have run for cover, but Maiya didn't even flinch. "Let's keep taking pictures!,"⁠ she said. Maiya & Sam's spring wedding at the Portland LDS Temple was followed by a reception later that day at the Riverside Community Hall in Albany. They transformed the space with lots of greenery, florals and white lights. It was a gorgeous DIY reception with all their favorite people. And it was so much fun to capture.

The week prior to the wedding, we did a bridal session atop Marys Peak, the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range. Check out those photos HERE.

Congratulations Maiya & Sam!

This dog-friendly summer engagement session at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood was magical. Khrystyne & Nick's dog, Darwin, was only supposed to be in a few of their engagement photos, but she was so sweet and didn't want to leave their side, so she ended up in more than half of them. I'm definitely not mad about it. I love it when clients bring their dogs. Congrats to Khrystyne & Nick! They're getting married this spring in New Orleans, where they met. ⁠

In case you're not familiar with the term "first look," let's start there. It's when the bride & groom opt to see each other for the first time prior to the ceremony. Your wedding photographer will pick a private spot at your venue with a nice backdrop and lighting, and will likely shoot with a long lens to capture candid moments from a distance. The groom will have his back turned and eyes closed. The bride will walk up behind him and tap him on the shoulder or hug him from behind. Your photographer will be there to capture the groom's reaction as he turns around to see his lovely bride. These emotional images are often my favorite to capture on wedding days.

Gorgeous engagement session on a crisp fall day in the Columbia River Gorge at Government Cove near Cascade Locks. The Gorge is scenic in every season, but I especially love autumn. Alex & Daniel were so fun and they didn't mind the cold temps and windy conditions. We had a blast hiking around the cove as the sun was setting.

Want to see more of my work from Government Cove? Check out Stephanie & Kyle's session and Hayden & Alex's session.

Smith Rock State Park is one of those locations that looks good in every season. Its rugged high desert beauty always makes an interesting backdrop. It's often sunny and you don't have to hike very far for epic views. I met Elaine & Douglas there earlier this year for an autumn engagement session. They have a passion for the outdoors and it shows. Their outfits for the second half of the session looked like they stepped straight out of an REI catalog, and I loved it.

Any wedding that involves an international love story, a snowcat ride, s’mores and happy tears, is my kind of wedding. I loved every minute of Bianca & Greg's Silcox Hut wedding on Mt. Hood. It was a crystal clear day on the mountain with stunning views from the hut.

Bianca is from Brazil. Her family wasn't able to attend the wedding so they watched the ceremony via livestream, but her best friend/maid of honor made the trip to represent her family and friends from back home.

It was such an emotional and joyful celebration. It was the perfect way to kick off my 2022 wedding season. Cheers to the happy and adventurous couple!

Venue: https://www.timberlinelodge.com/weddings

Florals: https://blumfloraldesign.com/

Dress: https://www.facebook.com/shadevenne/

Hair/makeup: https://www.marinahaynes.com/

You can't beat golden hour at Silcox Hut, especially on a clear day. Erin & Tim's intimate winter wedding took place on a crisp, sunny day atop Mt. Hood. Before boarding a snowcat bound for the hut, we carved out time to take some portraits with their beloved dogs (dressed in flower crowns) outside Timberline Lodge.

Surrounded by family and close friends, they tied the knot in front of a rustic fireplace in the hut with candles and white lights strung from the rafters. It was a lovely, joy-filled evening, and I was honored to capture it for them.

Want to see more weddings from Silcox Hut? Check out Liz & Jacob's spring wedding and Bianca & Greg's winter wedding.

Hair & makeup: Pure Elegance Artistry

Venue: Timberline Lodge

Florals: Twin Vines Floral Design

Smoky skies didn't dampen the mood for Sam & Abby's Green Villa garden wedding in Independence, Oregon. Colorful flowers popped against the lush green backdrop. Their ceremony and celebration was full of joy. Guests mingled throughout the garden, playing lawn games, ping pong and dancing, lot of dancing. Cheers to the happy couple!

Kind words from the bride: "Danielle photographed my wedding in September and she did an absolutely beautiful job! She was very friendly and easy to work with. She gave us great advice, ideas, and suggestions but was also really responsive to any of our thoughts and was willing to prioritize what was important to us. And the photos turned out very clear and bright and lovely. We are so pleased with how they turned out and so happy that we were able to work with her!"

Samantha & Keith's forest wedding at Down by the Pond in Battleground, Wash. was a fun one to capture. I love that they included their sweet pup, Maurice. He was even there for their first look and had a spot at the head table. I wanted to take him home, but he wouldn't fit in my camera bag.

Venue: Down by the Pond⁠

Florals: Quad's Garden

Dessert: Voodoo Doughnut⁠

Hair: @raising_wildroses_

Makeup: Elegant Beauty & Esthetics

Amy & Erik's spring wedding at Mount Pisgah Arboretum had so many lovely details. They got married beneath a massive oak tree wrapped in colorful floral garland. Glowing paper lanterns hung from the rafters in the covered reception area. Vintage glass jars served as flower vases atop rustic wood bases. Guests enjoyed wood-fired pizza, cocktails, lawn games and dancing.

Thank you, Amy & Erik, for this wonderful review:

"Danielle is truly an amazing photographer and we are so grateful that we chose her to do our wedding photos! I spent a long time researching possible photographers and Danielle's style stood out to us right away. We were drawn to how she incorporates the natural world into her photos and appreciate her photojournalism background. Not only is she a very skilled photographer, but she was wonderful to work with for the wedding. I'm never super comfortable in front of a camera, but I felt instantly at ease with her; she has a very calm presence and was so easy to work with throughout the day. We are beyond pleased with our wedding photos--they capture the story of our day beautifully. It truly is worth it to find a photographer you connect with and whose style you love--we are so very pleased we found Danielle. I'd recommend her to anyone, and I hope we can work with her again someday!"

Can't think of a better place for a first look. Maiya & Sam wanted wedding portraits atop Marys Peak (the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range) prior to their church ceremony later that week. I always love adventuring to Marys Peak. It's one of my favorite spots for epic portraits, especially on a clear day when it's possible to see all the way to the Pacific Ocean. For their session, we were blessed with warm, sunny weather and just enough of a breeze to highlight her long veil and flowing dress.

Rainy day elopement at Silver Falls State Park near Silverton, Oregon. Kelli & David got married in March beneath a canopy of moss covered fir trees, and it was just perfect. Lots of laughter, happy tears and plenty of raindrops. ⁠After they exchanged vows, we hiked around the park, stopping at North Falls for waterfalls portraits and then heading to the iconic South Falls area.

Chelsey & Samuel exchanged vows beneath a canopy of towering fir trees at Down by the Pond, a wedding venue in Battleground, Wash. Their guests watched from rustic wood benches, surrounded by ferns and moss-covered logs. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the forest highlighting a vibrant floral installation by Forest & Field. It was the ideal setting for a Lord of the Rings themed wedding. There were so many incredible details. Here are a few of my favorites. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see the list of talented vendors who helped make the couple's vision come to life.

Meredith & Shaun moved from the East Coast last spring. They fell in love with Oregon’s lush landscapes, and dreamed of an elopement or tiny wedding with a Mountain View. On a lovely autumn day, they exchanged vows from a grassy ridge overlooking the Oregon Coast Range at Fitton Green Natural Area.

Florals: Flowers-N-More

Hair/Makeup: Marina Haynes Artistry + Esthetics

Planning a wedding during a pandemic isn't easy. Plans changed a few times for Ryan & Caleb. They ultimately chose to have an intimate, elegant farm wedding with just their family and close friends in attendance. They exchanged vows beneath towering oak trees at The Old Bates Berry Farm. The reception featured wood tables adorned with flower garland, crystal stemware and gold utensils.

Florist: Selva Floral Design

Venue: Old Bates Berry Farm

Catering: Honey Brine Catering

Dress: Brides for a Cause

Rings: Federal Way Custom Jewelers

Chris and Tasha's Mt. Hood forest elopement in October was so much fun. They rented a cozy cabin-style Airbnb nestled in a forested area along the creek. True to the Pacific Northwest, it turned out to be a foggy, rainy autumn day. Tasha didn't mind. She put on her rain boots and we set out to take portraits along the trails surrounding their cabin. They exchanged vows under towering fir trees, surrounded by immediate family and their beloved dog.

Cheers to Teisha & Kent! After many years of friendship, followed by long-distance dating, the pair tied the knot in July in front of family and friends who traveled from 13 states across the nation to be there. So many beautiful moments and details from their day. Here are a few highlights.

Venue: Gallon House Farms

Florals: Distinctive Designs by Denice

Dessert: Willamette Valley Pie Company

Photographer: Danielle Peterson Photography

Olivia and Becca travelled from California to do couple portraits at the iconic Smith Rock State Park. Central Oregon was really showing off that summer evening. The setting sun illuminated the park's rugged peaks and high desert terrain. Crowds can be an issue at the park since it's one of Oregon's most popular destinations, but there were only a handful of other photographers there that day. It felt like the whole park was ours.

My favorite family sessions usually involve some hiking or beach combing. Bonus points for windswept hair and sandy toes. I always prefer candid and naturally posed images over the classic everybody-look-at-the-camera-and-smile kind of shots. Of course, we'll get some of those during your session, but you'll get so much more than that. You'll get fun, meaningful images that are true to your family's personality and season of life.

There's no place like Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, especially in winter. Sweeping views with mountain top snow flurries made for a romantic and playful portrait session.

I met Crystal & Scott a couple of years ago and had the honor of photographing their wedding. It was so fun reconnecting with them while we explored the mountain.

Fun fact: Timberline is where my husband proposed, so it will always have a special place in my heart.

It was a chilly, autumn day in the Columbia River Gorge. The leaves had begun to fall and the days were shorter. Thankfully, the rain held off for Mackenzie & Will's waterfall elopement. They exchanged vows at the base of a cascading waterfall. The sound of the water was so strong, I couldn't hear what they were saying, but it didn't matter because their expressions said it all. Their simple ceremony included a Norse blessing and a cultural sake sharing tradition.

Officiant: https://beandbeweddings.com/index.html

Marys Peak is one of my favorite engagement session locations. On a clear day, you can't beat the view from the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range. It's often windy, adding extra drama to the images, and it's spectacular at golden hour. Ryan and Caleb's engagement session is definitely one of my favorites.

Josh & Natalie's wedding plans were scaled back from a 200-person guest list to an intimate gathering with immediate family only. Their celebration was smaller than originally planned but just as beautiful and meaningful. They got married on a rainy fall day in October, but the clouds parted briefly and we had the opportunity to capture portraits all around River Bell Farm in Jefferson.

Some favorite moments from their day: Natalie's tearful Zoom call with her best friends prior to the ceremony, Josh and Bandit (their dog) getting ready, the sound of rain hitting the barn roof and the cozy yet elegant feel of their reception, portraits with the horses at golden hour.

Venue: https://www.riverbellfarm.com/

Cassandra & Andrew got married beneath the glow of Mt. Hood on a warm August evening at Timberline Lodge. They kept the guest list small, just family because of the pandemic. It was the perfect intimate outdoor wedding. After the ceremony, we snuck away to capture some golden hour portraits with the mountain as the backdrop.

Venue: https://www.timberlinelodge.com/weddings

Officiant: https://beandbeweddings.com/index.html

After 15 years together, Marguerite and Jeffrey eloped at Silver Falls this afternoon during an intimate ceremony under a canopy of towering fir trees. We snuck in some waterfall portraits before the ceremony. The couple, originally from the Pacific Northwest, drove up from Northern California to get married here after previous wedding plans fell through because of the pandemic. It was a beautiful day and I’m thankful to have been a part of it. Congratulations to the happy couple!

It's hard to imagine a more scenic backdrop than that of the Wallowa Mountains, also known as one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Jamie and Nathan got married at Flathead Lake in Montana 8 years ago, so it's fitting that they chose Wallowa Lake as the location for their anniversary session.

We captured a mix of romantic and playful images. Scroll to the bottom of this post to find out who ended up in the lake at the end of the session. What's that saying, the couple that laughs together, stays together...

Central Oregon never disappoints. Loved exploring the Tumalo Falls trail for Sophia & Cooper's engagement session. The snow was packed just enough that we didn't need snowshoes and the sun even made an appearance. Originally, we had planned to do the session at the falls, but the closest parking area to the falls is closed in the winter and it's a 5-mile roundtrip hike to get there. Instead of hustling to get to the falls before the light was gone, we took our time exploring the trail to find the most idyllic backdrops.

Barefoot with windswept hair. What’s not to love, right? If the beach is your happy place, consider doing an Oregon Coast adventure session for your senior portraits. Playful photos along the shoreline at golden hour, portraits with majestic sandstone cliffs in the distance or a foggy coastal forest with ivy wrapped trees as the backdrop.

After many years of photographing people and landscapes in Oregon, I have the perfect location list for clients to choose from, including some hidden gems that haven’t yet exploded on Instagram.

Learn more about senior portrait packages at daniellepetersonphotography/investment

This frost covered meadow at Silver Falls State Park made the perfect backdrop for this winter portrait shoot with Lauren and her horse, Sunday. Originally, we were hoping to find some snow for this session, but Oregon weather can be fickle.

Soft early morning light paired with this foggy, icy wonderland turned out to be better than our original plan. I loved Lauren's elegant, full-length gown and fur coat (which was her grandmother's).

There's something really romantic about a winter elopement in the Pacific Northwest. I loved capturing this gorgeous styled shoot on Mt. Hood last weekend. It was totally worth the frozen toes and fingers. Vibrant florals provided the perfect pop of color against the cloudy, moody backdrop of the snow-capped mountain.

Does your dog feel like part of the family? Don’t leave them out when it comes time for family photos (or an engagement session). Check out this blog post with some of my favorite pet-friendly portraits and a few helpful tips.

A few things to consider:

Bring some treats and/or toys that can be used to get their attention, when the time comes.

If possible, bring along a friend/dog sitter who can keep them busy between photos. Chances are you won’t want your furry companion in every single shot. This will keep your dog happy and make things less stressful for you.

Make sure the venue you’ve chosen is dog-friendly. If so, do they have to stay on a leash? This may seem obvious, but it’s always good to know before you go. I’m always happy to provide location suggestions.

Learn more about portrait packages at daniellepetersonphotography.com/investment.

Happy anniversary to Molly & Scott! They eloped 15 years ago (before eloping was the trendy thing to do) and the only photographs taken from that day were on a disposable camera. They decided it was time to get glammed up and have some real photos done. I'm so glad they did.

The weather kept us on our toes for this session. It nearly got postponed, but we took a risk and headed up to the Santiam Canyon just before sunrise, despite looming storm clouds overhead. The sun never made an appearance, but the rain held off long enough to make some stunning moody portraits with Detroit Lake in the background. And there was even a hint of fall color.

Congrats, Natalie & Josh! Can't wait for your wedding next fall.

What's that saying..."nature, cheaper than therapy." I'm not a hardcore hiker. I don't do overnight backcountry trips or have enough gear to set out on the Pacific Crest Trail like Reese Witherspoon's character in the movie "Wild," but I love hiking and camping. Always have, always will. I'm happiest when I'm out and about, exploring the Pacific Northwest.

This summer, we went to Mt. Rainier National Park. Now we know why they call it paradise. When hiking the Alta Vista trail on a warm, August morning, it's hard not to bust out in song "the hills are alive with the sound of music." Those snowcapped craggy peaks and alpine meadows dotted with a rainbow of wildflowers reminded me a lot of Switzerland and Austria.

Kelli & Taylor’s hazelnut farm wedding was filled with so many sweet details. Paths lined with hazelnut shells linked the ceremony and reception sites at the family’s farm along the Willamette River in West Salem. Guests explored the hazelnut orchards and played lawn games before and after the ceremony that took place in a forested area with ivy wrapped trees and lush ferns. They capped the night with a sparkler sendoff and drove away in a vintage Mustang.

Photographer: Danielle Peterson Photography

Second shooter: Lindsay Newton Photography

Videographer: Focal Point Digital Media - Wedding Video Exclusively

Sabrina & Dalton's lovely backyard wedding along the Willamette River in Salem was filled with so much joy.

Sabrina is from Argentina and met Dalton while he was traveling abroad. Long distance relationships are never easy, but these two managed to make it work, flying back and forth as often as possible. Now they're no longer separated by continents.

Congratulations!

June 1, 2019

College senior portraits are my new favorite, thanks to this lovely lady. This golden hour session in the Columbia River Gorge was so much fun. At first I was worried that the wind gusts were too strong that evening at Rowena Crest, but it ended up adding just the right amount of drama to the portraits. You can't go wrong with wind swept hair and wildflowers.

Congratulations, Olivia!

May 30, 2019

I'm not much of a morning person, so getting up before dawn wasn't an easy task. But once I got to the Newberry Lava Fields in Central Oregon and could see the sun beginning to peek over the Cascade Range, it was all worth it. Capturing this sunrise session at the Beyond Workshop was definitely a highlight of the weekend.

Engagement sessions are kind of like a warm up for your wedding day. It's a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera and with your photographer's direction/posing style. After all, that person is going to be with you on the most important day of your life. ⁣

Hosts: @casiyostphoto and @harpergracephoto⁣⁣⁣

Models: @stephaniespringer and @tylerjrobitaille

Not all wedding trends are created equal. The industry has evolved so much, even in the last 10 years (yes, I've been photographing weddings that long). Saying "I do" on the top of a mountain or in a forest, is a trend worth embracing.

If you're considering a Central Oregon elopement, here's some inspiration for you. I captured these images at a recent styled shoot in Bend, featuring a truly talented group of vendors.

Design & Styling: Kamea Events @kameaevents

www.kameaevents.com

Florist: Sea of Roses @sea.of.roses

www.seaofroses.com

Hair & Makeup Artist: Marina Haynes @marinahaynes_artistry

www.mlhmakeup.com

Gowns: Elizabeth Dye @elizabethdye

www.elizabethdye.com

Paper Goods & Signage: Rebekah Carey @rebekahcarey_

www.etsy.com/shop/

TheLetteringBeeCo

Cake/Desserts: Dream Cakes @dreamcakespdx

www.dreamcakesportland.com

Rentals: Vintage Meets Modern @vintagemeetsmodern

www.vintagemeetsmodernpdx.com

Spring flowers, pastels and an iconic Salem, Oregon, venue built in the 1800s made Alex and Audrey's wedding one of my favorites to date. This young couple said "I do" in a Victorian-era Woolen Mill at the Willamette Heritage Center.

Guests explored the museum and watched ducks lazily floating in the stream that runs through the grounds.

At the edge of the property, beneath a sprawling oak tree, Alex and Audrey saw each other for the first time that day.

Some of the details that made their day unique:

The bride's sister, co-owner of Nourished Beginnings, catered the meal, serving her take on the popular "Yumm" bowl.

The groom's mother, a talented baker, made a towering chocolate chip cookie cake.

Before Alex saw his bride for the first time, we did a "first look" with the bride's father.

Venue: https://www.willametteheritage.org/

Caterer: https://www.nourishedbeginningssilverton.com/

Florist (bouquets and boutonnieres): https://allinbloomflorist.com/

Planning: @cocolouevents

April 24, 2019

The views from the Oregon Coast never get old. It's one of my favorite places for portrait sessions, but I love capturing landscape images like these, too.

April 5, 2019

Nothing says spring like cherry trees in bloom. When the 150 Akebono cherry blossom trees are in full bloom at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, it's the perfect backdrop for spring portraits. It's my favorite time in this city.

March 6, 2019

Who wants to win a free adventure portrait session? This contest is for outdoorsy couples who love to hike. Winner will be chosen at random and announced on the first day of Spring, March 20th. Prize must be redeemed in 2019.

Here’s how to enter:

*Send an email to danielle@daniellepetersonphotography.com and tell me your favorite place to go hiking in Oregon.

*Like Danielle Peterson Photography on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByDaniellePeterson/

*Follow on Instagram.com/daniellepetersonphotography

Feb. 3, 2019

The Columbia River Gorge always provides a stunning backdrop, even in the depth of winter. The weather is bit unpredictable though. Thankfully, we were blessed with a window of mostly dry weather. It was cold and foggy and beautiful in a Pacific Northwest kind of way. Brenda's vibrant red gown was striking against the wintry scenery.

Jan. 26, 2019

For Audrey & Alex's engagement session, we started by hiking around Silver Falls State Park, chasing afternoon light and dodging the spray of the falls. We made it back to Audrey's parents' property in time for an outfit change and sunset portraits with a view.

Audrey & Alex are getting married this spring and I can't wait to capture their day!

Jan. 7, 2019

It's the beginning of January and I'm already thinking about spring. I'm planning to offer mini sessions March 29-30 in Salem, when those iconic cherry trees are in bloom.

These are 20-minute sessions and are great for couples and families (single families, not large groups). Clients will receive an online proofing gallery with 10-12 print-ready images, digital download and printing rights. Prints can also be purchased directly from the gallery. The cost is $175. There will be a limited number of spots available. If you'd like to reserve a spot, please send an email to danielle@daniellepetersonphotography.com.

Note: The cherry trees are usually in bloom by this date. It depends on the weather. The date may be adjusted as it gets closer.

Nov. 17, 2018

During a recent trip to LA to visit my dear friend and former college roommate, Shannon, I had the chance to explore and snap a few photos of the incredible Getty Museum. I highly recommend visiting, if you get the chance. I've never seen anything like it.

Oct. 8, 2018

The ocean stayed hidden behind a thick wall of fog and the constant drizzle never let up, but it didn't matter. Collin and Courtney were just happy to be together. Loved capturing this elopement at Cape Lookout State Park.

Sept. 24, 2018

Autumn is my favorite time of year, the vibrant colors and crisp weather. Loved everything about this fall family photo session in Wilsonville.

Aug. 26, 2018

Matt & Julia's elegant, yet laid back wedding, in the Columbia River Gorge was the perfect mix of Pacific Northwest beauty and Portland charm. They tied the knot on Thunder Island in Cascade Locks, near the iconic Bridge of the Gods (yup, that same one featured in the movie Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon).

Their celestial-themed reception featured lawn games, pies for dessert (instead of cake) and Proud Pour wine, a brand dedicated to saving our oceans and bees through restoring and sustaining ecosystems. And then there was that traveling Bohemian-style group that just happened to show up at the venue and make friends with the bride...

I absolutely loved capturing every detail of this uniquely Oregon wedding. Congratulations to the newlyweds! #floregon

July 11, 2018

Glacier National Park is simply amazing. The first time I visited, I was 8 years. Not quite old enough to truly appreciate it. The last trip was a different story. I found myself in awe the entire time, especially during a nail-biting drive along the famous "Going to the Sun Road."

July 5, 2018

You can't beat summers in Montana. In July, Scott & Lauren hiked through wildflower meadows in Big Sky Country for this portrait session. The scenery was stunning.

May 27, 2018

I photographed Jake & Charlotte's wedding five years ago and now I get to capture their growing family. Congrats you two! On a sunny, spring morning, we met at Minto-Brown Island Park in Salem for this maternity/family session.

May 21, 2018

Interior images of the Church Extension Plan in Salem, Ore, shot for Lenity Architecture.

Chasing waterfalls with Aaron & Sarah on a cold winter day. Adventurous, outdoorsy couples who are willing to do a little hiking to get a great shot are my kind of people.

Plus, if you live less than an hour from Silver Falls State Park, you should go there often, even in the cold winter months.

Oregon is such an incredible place to live. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and I never tire of the scenery.