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One of my favorite things about Salem, Oregon photography for families is that we have such a range of incredible natural areas we can use. There are gardens, flower farms, and so many natural areas. The river winds right through here, and for this hot summer session we decided to use it! They brought their […]

family with dogs at river family photos salem oregon photography by Samantha Shannon

Oh friends, this session! The adorable family. The light. The dog. The swishy dress. The perfect little cheeks on the baby. I can’t even. Megan contacted me for light and airy family photos and I loved working with her on all the details to make that happen! We chose a field in summertime for the […]

light and airy family photos in hillsboro, oregon

Updated: For 2023, I’ve come back through and updated this post with my top tips for clients who want to know how to take their family photos with their dogs! This is something so many of my clients request and I am HERE for it, so let’s chat about how we can work to make […]

how to include dogs in portland family photos

Since we live in the beautiful (and rainy) PNW, I spend a good deal of my time watching the hourly weather forecast during portrait season!  Fall sessions in particular are pretty likely to get some rain during them.  I’ve written a little bit on how a rainy photo session could unfold here, and shared a […]

rainy portrait session in oregon

This sweet family is in a season of change: graduation parties, college acceptance letters, and new homes!  When Emily contacted me about gifting a family photo session to her mom, I was so excited for them!  Of course, I always think that family photo sessions make good gifts, but it’s especially thoughtful when kids gift […]

Salem Family Photographer - Barn Session for McMinnville Family

It’s FRIDAY (and MARCH, what??) which means it’s time for an FAQ Friday!  I have a lot of clients who have dogs as a part of their family, and I often get asked if dogs can be included in engagement or family sessions. YES!  ABSOLUTELY! I LOVE dogs and I’m always so excited to get […]

Bride and Groom portrait with dog at wedding in Portland Oregon

Jenna and Armando are the kind of couple who are MEANT to be: the kind who finish each other’s sentences and whose first concern is always, always each other.  It’s been such an honor getting to know them over the last year!  We first met at Lauren and Corey’s forest wedding, and when we discovered we […]

Jenna and Armando kicked off engagement session season last weekend and it was PERFECT!!  We’d waited a few weeks to get dry weather, and just before Valentine’s Day, it happened!!  We went to Champoeg State Park because these two are practically neighbors with me here in Newberg and this beautiful location was five minutes from […]

Engagement Session at Champoeg State Park in Newberg | Hillsboro Wedding Photographer

You remember Lauren and Corey’s forest engagement session with their sweet dogs, right?  I knew their wedding would be just as fun and relaxed–it was in the forest with their dogs too!  Lauren and her bridesmaids got ready at McMenamin’s Grand Lodge, and I met them there for some photos before we made the drive out to their […]

Tillamook Forest's Smith Homestead Wedding | Hillsboro Wedding Photographer

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@samanthashannonphotography