7 Bend Engagement Session locations
I just love Bend and all of the experiences it has to offer. If you are a lover of the outdoors like I am, there are endless possibilities for your epic engagement session. You can plan your bend engagement session around one of your favorite activities. Whether that is hiking, spending time at a lake or river paddle boarding or just floating, or even heading to your favorite waterfall.
My Favorite Bend Engagement Session Locations
Smith Rock
Smith Rock State Park is just an iconic Bend engagement session location for any type of photoshoot. The best time of day to go is either going to be at Sunrise or Sunset. This will give you the best pictures possible and usually it’s a little less crowded than in the middle of the day!
Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=36
Address: Smith Rock State Park, Oregon 97760
Best time of day to go: Either early in the morning or late evening just before sunset.
Painted Hills
While it’s not technically in Bend. It’s about a 1.5hr drive from Bend but it’s totally worth it. This is a great engagement session location not far from Bend. There are so many possibilities inside one location. It’s beautiful and one of my favorite engagement session locations.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/ptd-hills-unit.htm
Address: Painted Hills Overlook Trail, Mitchell, OR 97750
Best time of day: Since it is very secluded it’s usually not very busy no matter the time of day.
Sparks Lake
Sparks Lake is located just outside of Bend! You will have spectacular views no matter what side of the lake you are on. On one side you will get Mt. bachelor in the background and another side you can get broken top in the background. It’s also a perfect location to spend the rest of the day on the water paddle boarding or kayaking after your sunrise engagement session.
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=71876
Address: Sparks Lake, Oregon 97703
Best time to go: You will get the best photos at sunrise. It’s starts to get really busy by 9am.
Elk Lake Trailhead
Elk Lake is located outside of Bend past Mt. Bachelor. It is a great location year-round. In the summer you get a snow-filled trail. There are so many activities you can enjoy. From snowmobiling to snowshoeing. If you’re looking for a snow-filled engagement session just outside of Bend this is your location.
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38866
Address: Elk Lake Trailhead, Elk Lake Resort Loop, Blue River, OR 97413
Best time to go: In the winter it’s not usually very busy. In the summer time, you’ll need to plan for an evening photoshoot.
Tumalo Falls Trailhead
Tumalo Falls is another one of my favorite spots for engagement photos for a number of different reasons. First off you can either hike in or go to the parking lot for a short walk to the falls. If you take the North Fork trail you will hike through the beautiful forrest and also hike by an additional three waterfalls. The hike is truly worth it. But if you aren’t wanting photos along the trail and just at the falls then going to the parking lot may make the most sense for your bend engagement session.
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38522
Address: Tumalo Falls Trailhead, Bend, OR 97701
Best time to go: In the early morning. The middle of the day is the busiest time of day.
Deschutes River
The Deschutes River runs through the city of Bend. It has so many different outdoor activities you can participate in the summer. It’s the perfect spot for a bend engagement session. It’s accessible through a number of different parks all around Bend.
Website: https://www.bendparksandrec.org/park/riverbend-park/
Address: 799 SW Columbia St, Bend, OR 97702
Best time to go: Late evening right before sunset
Shelvin Park
Shelvin Park is just 15 minutes from downtown Bend. You wouldn’t think so based on the forest atmosphere it has. You can get an array of stunning views for your bend engagement session in one location. From old bridges, trees, meadows to even a creek that runs through the park
Website: https://www.bendparksandrec.org/park/shevlin-park/
Address: 18920 Northwest Shevlin Park Road, Bend, OR 97703
Best time to go: It’s not usually too busy. About 1 -1.5hrs before sunset is the optimal time for the best photos.
What to look for in a Bend engagement photographer!
Booking your wedding photographer is such a personal choice. You want to find a photographer that you not only connect with but trust that they can tell your story. You want to love their style of photography, connect with their posing techniques, and most of all you want to feel comfortable in front of the camera.
