Portland Senior Photos
PHOTOS THAT
FEEL LIKE YOU
FEEL LIKE YOU
Imagine your senior photos being more than just pretty pictures. Imagine them being a true reflection of your energy, your style, your story. Bold, real, artistic, and uniquely yours.
How would it feel to look at your photos years from now and say: “Wow... that’s exactly who I was”? That’s the goal.
How would it feel to look at your photos years from now and say: “Wow... that’s exactly who I was”? That’s the goal.
Not your typical senior photos
Tired of awkward poses, fake smiles, and backdrops that feel like they’re stuck in the early 2000s? Me too. Your senior photos should actually look like you, not a stereotype.
Whether you’re femme, masc, non-binary, introverted or loud, I see you. And I’ll help you show up as your real self, whatever that looks like.
Senior Photo Portfolio
I’ve been photographing seniors in Portland and the surrounding areas for over 16 years - I started when I myself was a senior! I love capturing the unique personalities of each person I work with, and I strive to create images that are both authentic and artistic. I’ve also seen how trends come and go and how much fashion, photography and style shifts each year. I always try to stay ahead of the curve and create images that will stand the test of time, while still feeling fresh and modern, with a little bit of an editorial edge.
The Experience
Most people feel awkward in front of the camera. That’s totally normal. My job is to make you feel safe and confident so you can actually enjoy the process.
I give gentle direction, create a chill vibe, and hype you up along the way. You’ll never be left wondering what to do with your hands.
We’ll talk beforehand, dream up a location, and shoot at your pace. Every part of the process is built to help you feel like you belong in front of the lens, even if it’s your first time.
My Process
Interested in working with me? That’s awesome! Here’s a little insight into how my process works.
- Email me! I’ll send over my full pricing guide and availability, and a link to set up a video call so we can get to know each other and chat about details.
- After we talk, choose one of my collections and I’ll send you an online contract and invoice reserve the date.
- I’ll send you resources to help you figure out outfits and a perfect location. Feel free to send me an inspiration board or photos of places you love! I can also suggest locations based on your style and vibe.
- On the day of the photoshoot, we’ll meet up at the first location and start taking photos right away so you can warm up in the first 10 minutes or so. Everyone takes a little time to feel comfortable in front of a camera, so don’t worry if you are a little nervous at first! We’ll wander around the location to get a lot of variety in backgrounds and poses, and you’ll be free to change your outfit anytime you want. A lot of places don’t have public restrooms, so you might need to change in your car. I also ask any friends or relatives who might come along to turn around and not watch you while you are being photographed, just because that helps you feel more comfortable. No one wants an audience - though it can be fun to have a friend or two along for the ride.
- After the photoshoot, I’ll upload the photos and get rid of anything awkward, and then I will put the rest in a private online gallery and send them to you as proofs. They will be straight out of my camera at this stage, but you will able to look through them all and choose your favorites for me to edit and retouch. Each of my collections has a specific number of final images, so depending on which one you get you’ll be able to choose 20-40 images. You can also order extras for $15 each.
- Once you finish selecting your favorites and email me, it will take up to 3 weeks for me to edit them and get them back to you!
- I’ll edit and retouch the photos and deliver them in a second online gallery where you can download them directly or order any prints you might want!
Portland Senior Photo Locations
Outdoorsy forest lover? Editorial in the city? Windswept on the coast? We’ll pick a location that feels like home to you now, or part of an exciting next chapter.
I’ve photographed seniors all over Portland and beyond, from Hoyt Arboretum to Mt. Hood, urban rooftops to foggy beaches. Your setting helps tell your story.
How to pick? Start by thinking about the vibe you want to convey in your photos. Do you prefer a natural, outdoor setting or an urban, cityscape backdrop? Perhaps the comfort of your own home or garden? Or even a clean, modern studio space with natural light. We all have places in our lives that make us feel relaxed and at peace, or places that hold special memories and meaning. Choose a place for your photos that feels like YOU. I’m always happy to suggest ideas based off what you have in mind!
Around Portland: Hoyt Arboretum, Forest Park, Cathedral Park, George Rogers Park, The Pearl District, various bridges in downtown, the Eastbank Esplanade, Old Town, Alberta Arts District, Sellwood Riverfront Park, Tryon Creek State Park, Lewis and Clark State Park, Laurelhurst Park, The rose garden in Washington Park, Jenkins Estate, Cooper Mountain, Peninsula Park, Sauvie Island
Outside of Portland: Timberline on Mt. Hood, White River Recreation Area on Mt. Hood, Trillium Lake, Women’s Forum in the Gorge, Latourell Falls, Government Cove in the Gorge, Viento State Park, Dalton Point in the gorge, Beacon Rock, Rowena Crest, Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park, Hug Point, Cape Kiwanda, Smith Rock State Park, Painted Hills, Mt. Saint Helens, Silver Falls State Park, Tamanawas Falls
What to Wear
There are no rules, only outfits that help you feel amazing. Think comfy, confident, and totally you. Want help choosing? I’ve got a full outfit guide for that.
The short version? Wear clothes that feel like yourself, that compliment the color palette of the location you choose, and that you can move in easily. I recommend bringing 2-3 outfits so we can get a variety of looks.
I typically recommend more neutral colors, but if you love bold colors, go for it! I also suggest avoiding busy patterns or logos, as they can distract from your face.
Thicker fabrics work better than really thin, stretchy materials.
And make sure everything fits well and that you have the right undergarments for each piece.
If you wear makeup, you are welcome to do your own or hire someone to do it for you. I can recommend some amazing local makeup artists if you want to go that route! But I also firmly believe that you should feel comfortable in your own skin, and if you prefer a more natural look, that’s totally fine too. All my collections include retouching for blemishes so you don’t have to worry about that. I want you to look and feel like yourself.
Weather and Light
Light shapes everything about a photo. I take most of my photos with natural light because it tells the truth in the most beautiful way. That golden haze before sunset, the soft glow on a cloudy morning, or the rich shadows on a moody fall day: it all tells a different story. I do use some direct flash or bounced flash on occasion for specific looks, but I prefer to keep my setup simple and natural so the focus is on you, not the gear. I want you to be able to move freely during your portraits, not feel like you are stuck in one spot with a lot of complicated equipment surrounding you.
We’ll plan your photoshoot for the time of day and season that best matches your vision. Love warmth and glow? Summer evenings are for you. Prefer fog and drama? Let’s embrace the Pacific Northwest mood in early spring or fall, perhaps on a crisp morning. No matter the weather, we’ll make it work. And if the weather doesn’t cooperate, I’m always happy to reschedule for a better day. I only book a set number of photoshoots per week so I can move things around easily.
If rain or heat adds stress, consider booking one of my studio sessions in a gorgeous natural light studio in NW Portland. It’s a great option for those who want a more controlled environment without sacrificing the beauty of natural light. We can still create stunning, authentic portraits that feel like you, just in a clean, modern setting.
Testimonials
REAL SENIORS, REAL STORIES
“My daughter loved the look and style of Katy’s work. We reached out to her and felt such a connection with her when we had our phone consult. Katy is professional and friendly. She is easy to talk with and takes an interest in getting to know her potential clients. Her responsiveness to emails was always quick and communication regarding what to expect the day of the shoot was very clear. We traveled 5 hours to Portland to have Katy take my daughter’s photos and we were not disappointed. We could not be more thrilled with how they turned out!”
“This was my first professional photo shoot, and not only did my photos turn out amazing. Katy was funny, nice, and just overall made it a very fun experience. I would 1000% recommend hiring her.”
“We hired Katy to do senior photos for our camera shy son, and they are spectacular! She took the time before booking to get to know him a bit via phone consult so he felt at ease on the day of the shoot. I really appreciated her super clear messaging about everything–payment schedule, her timelines after the shoot, wardrobe suggestions, etc. Everything was very smooth and stress free. I highly recommend her work, and we will certainly be contacting her again!”
“Katy took my daughter’s Senior photos and was an absolute gem to work with! She was able to bring my daughter’s vision to life. The photographs are amazing and my daughter loves the way they turned out!”
“My favorite part of Katy’s service is the connection she made with each kid. She listens. She pays attention to the vision you are seeking and the vision of the young people she works with. Katy follows through and the photographs are breathtaking.”
Senior Photo Pricing
My portrait sessions start at $850 for full collections and $450 for mini sessions at Mt. Tabor. All sessions include planning help, location advice, and beautiful hand-edited digital photos. I also offer a variety of a la carte prints and products to help you display your photos in your home or share them with family and friends.
If you’re ready for photos that capture who you are and how you want to remember this moment, let’s connect. I’ll walk you through everything.
Email me and we can go over all the details together!
More Information
Recent Portraits on the Blog
