Oaks Pioneer Church Wedding

I finally had the opportunity to photograph a wedding at Oaks Pioneer Church in the Sellwood neighborhood of Southeast Portland. Maybe it’s all the Little House on the Prairie that I watched as a kid but I’ve always wanted to photograph a wedding in a little white chapel.

This tiny white church was originally located in the town of Milwaukie, Oregon but was moved up river in 1961 to it’s current location in Sellwood. The church is available for small weddings and elopement rentals and can accommodate up to 75 people. The church has everything you think a historic chapel would have like rich wood paneling, stained glass windows, a working organ, and a pot belly wood stove. There’s also a small bridal suite and bathroom on the side of the church too.

These two got married on a weekday morning surrounded by their parents and siblings. Following their ceremony we took some photos around the neighborhood and hopped into a limo for some photos around Portland.

As a photographer, I think the best time of day for a wedding at Oaks Pioneer Church is in the late afternoon or early evening when the sun is positioned slightly behind the church. That way after your ceremony we can shoot portraits in front of the church without having to squint in direct sun. Following your ceremony you can visit the Sellwood Riverfront Park or Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge before heading off to your reception.

For more information on the church including booking and availability, visit their website here.

If you’re in the neighborhood, pay it a visit. The surrounding area is super cute and if you visit in the fall you will be treated to some lovely fall color.

I love that this little gem is right in my neighborhood and I can’t wait to photograph another wedding or elopement at Oaks Pioneer Church.

Oregon Coast Beach House Wedding

On a beautiful day on the Oregon Coast, these two exchanged vows on the dunes above the beach, with the iconic Haystack Rock in the distance. The couple had originally planned to have their wedding in Southern California, but due to the pandemic, they decided to move their wedding to their family beach house in Cannon Beach.

The wedding ceremony was intimate and emotional, surrounded by the couple's closest family and friends. The love and support of those in attendance was really special and it was clear that this was a day that the couple would always remember.

After the ceremony, the party moved up to the house for a cocktail hour and reception catered by Sage Bleu Catering. The reception was cozy and intimate, with heartfelt toasts and plenty of opportunities for candid moments. The scenery was breathtaking, and I was able to capture some truly beautiful portraits of the couple against the stunning backdrop of the Oregon Coast.

Overall, it was a day filled with everything that makes a wedding so special – love, support, and beautiful surroundings. These two will no doubt always look back on their wedding day with fond memories and appreciation for the way that everything came together, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. It was a truly special occasion that they will always cherish and I’m so happy that I could be there.

Thinking about having a wedding or elopement on the Oregon Coast? My Cannon Beach Elopement Guide has you covered with everything you need to know about where, when, and how to get married on the beach in Oregon.

Wedding at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

This was my first wedding at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Southeast Portland and I'm so glad that I finally had the opportunity to photograph a wedding there. I've been visiting this beautiful park for years with my niece and nephews and I was so excited when these two reached out to me to document their wedding day.

Crystal Springs is a beautiful wedding venue and one of my favorites in Portland. Beyond hosting weddings, the garden is an amazing city park to visit. Its 9.5 acres are full of natural beauty and a unique collection of plants. Throughout the year over 90 different species of birds can be spotted there. I recommend visiting the garden in the Spring when the park's namesake plants are in full bloom.

This wedding had a small world feeling from the start. In our initial consultation we came to find out that we actually lived in the same apartment building and like me, the bride and groom both had spent time in Boise and Northern California. To top it off they were getting married about 5 minutes from our home.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is the perfect setting to celebrate and dance under the moonlight on a warm summer Portland evening. The garden has 3 different ceremony locations and it's easy to feel a sense of privacy and intimacy in each of them.

These two had their ceremony and reception on the large meadow site overlooking Crystal Springs Lake. Following toasts we took a walk and explored the meandering trails, stopping along the way to take photos and take in the nice evening light.

I can't wait to take the 5 minute drive and photograph more weddings here next summer! For more info about booking your wedding at Crystal Springs, you can visit their wedding website here.

If you're new here, you can view more of my Portland wedding photos here and learn more about me here. I'd love to learn more about your wedding plans!

Questions to ask a wedding photographer

Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the bigger decisions in your wedding planning process. Your wedding photos will be how you and your loved ones revisit and remember your wedding day so it's important to find someone you trust and whose portfolio you love. There are many important questions you can ask a wedding photographer but I think these are some interesting questions that create better conversation to help you decide whether or not the photographer is a good fit for your wedding day.

Wedding Photographer Meeting Checklist

Below is a list of questions that can serve as a meeting checklist for your wedding photographer consultation. I’ve included explanations for each question below:

1. Are you available on our wedding date? Are you able to give us a soft hold on the date?

2. What do you enjoy most about photographing weddings?

3. How would you describe your working style and general presence on a wedding day?

4. Can you describe how you work with other wedding vendors on the day-of?

5. Have you worked at our venue before or at a venue that is similar in light, layout, etc.?

6. Is it possible to see a full wedding gallery from a past event you have photographed?

7. Can you help us with our wedding timeline?

8. Do you shoot from a shot list?

9. How do you approach posing for couple portraits?

10. How do you backup your photos?

11. How will you use our photos?

12. What happens if you have to miss our wedding?

13. Will you receive digital files of your photos? How and when will they be delivered?

14. How many wedding photos can we expect to receive?

15. What is your favorite part of a wedding day?

16. What gear or equipment do you shoot with?

17. What is the coolest or most fun thing you’ve seen done at a wedding?

18. Do you have everything you need from us in order to do your job?

19. Can we change our photography package? Can we add a second shooter?

20. How do we cancel or reschedule?

What to ask your wedding photographer

1. Are you available on our wedding date? Are you able to give us a soft hold on the date?

   Wedding planning is hard and there are a lot of moving parts for all parties involved. It’s a good idea to double check if the photographer is still available for your wedding date and to understand how competitive your date is. Some photographers will provide a short, soft hold for the date to allow you some time to make your decision while others will book first come first serve or in this case whoever puts a deposit in first.

2. What do you enjoy most about photographing weddings?

   Learning why the photographer shoots weddings can tell you a little more about them and why they chose wedding photography as a focus. Do they seem passionate about their work and excited about your wedding day?

3. How would you describe your working style and general presence on a wedding day?

   Your wedding photographer will be one of the vendors you work with most on the actual day so it's important that you get a sense of their personality and how they work on the day of. Do they have a large personality that fills a room or a calming, easy going presence. Are they hands off throughout the entire day or do they arrange and produce moments?

4. Can you describe how you work with other wedding vendors on the day-of?

   Your team of vendors work for you and should all have the goal of making your wedding day the best that it can be. It was a surprise to me when I first found out that occasionally there is drama between videographers and photographers. I'm not here for that and I don't think you should be either. Getting a sense of how your photographer works with other vendors is valuable insight to have. How do they go about working with videographers, wedding planners, etc.?

5. Have you worked at our venue before or at a venue that is similar in light, layout, etc.?

   Most wedding photographers with several years of experience will be well versed in working at new venues. There are so many wedding venues around and it's almost impossible to have worked at all of them. A professional, experienced photographer will know how to adapt to new surroundings but it's a good idea to understand if your photographer has experience working at venues that are similar to yours.

6. Is it possible to see a full wedding gallery from a past event you have photographed?

   Photographer websites and their social media profiles are often filled with the best moments and photos that perform well on those platforms. It’s a great idea to see how the photographer performs throughout the entire wedding day. Are their images thoughtfully composed, properly exposed, and sharp during real time, faster paced scenarios like the wedding ceremony and reception or just during more structured and posed moments like couple portraits? I’m always willing to share a past wedding gallery for prospective clients so that they can see the whole day and not just cherry picked moments. It’s also a great way for them to see the online gallery that I provide.

7. Can you help us with our wedding timeline?

   Determine whether or not your photographer will be available during the planning process to advise you on how long certain parts of the day will take and when the best time of day is for certain moments. Is that planning assistance included in your photography package or is that an extra fee? I include planning assistance in all of my wedding photography packages and I’m always happy to share timeline resources.

8. Do you shoot from a shot list?

   If you are looking for particular types of images that you are wanting to recreate or just have a particular vision, check with the wedding photographer to see if that is something they are comfortable with. Most experienced photographers are well versed in how a wedding day flows and they should know what the go-to moments are but there may be certain moments that are unique to you and your partner and it's important to communicate that.

9. How do you approach posing for couple portraits?

   Not everyone is excited to be in front of a camera so it's important to know what that experience will be like with your photographer. Is the photographer comfortable providing direction or are they more hands off? Are they comfortable providing poses that are gender neutral? For my clients, I try to find poses that feel natural and mimic how their bodies come together in real life. I work with folks by talking them through the process instead of just holding my camera in front of them waiting for them to do something cute. I want whatever "poses" we do to feel natural and not posy. I also always check in with the couple to make sure they are feeling good.

10. How do you backup your photos?

    It's important to know what happens to the photos your wedding photographer shoots following your wedding day and before they are delivered. A good backup plan has multiple levels of redundancy and at least two different physical locations. When I photograph a wedding the first thing I do is import the photos to at least three different hard drives. I then begin uploading the images to an online storage platform. Lastly, I make sure to copy the photos to a flash drive that I can bring with me whenever I leave the house.

11. How will you use our photos?

    As is industry standard, most wedding photographers retain the copyright to their photos unless otherwise agreed upon. Knowing how your wedding photographer plans to use your wedding photos is important. As photographers, being able to share our work is a necessary part of growing a photography business and vital to attracting new clients. When I share my photos I always do so in a way that is respectful and I make sure to never post names or identifying information about my clients. I only ever use the photos on my website or social media and I never sell my images.

12. What happens if you have to miss our wedding?

    This can be a tricky question to answer as a wedding photographer but seeing how the photographer communicates that answer is important. Most photographers will try everything in their power to be there at your wedding. I've never once missed a wedding in over 15 years. The mere thought of being late fills me with late night anxiety. Emergencies happen though and our backup plans can often only be hypothetical unless you're willing to pay for a backup photographer to sit on standby. For my clients, I promise to do everything in my power to be there or to find a qualified professional colleague who can be there in my stead if I’m physically unable to make it.

13. Will you receive digital files of your photos? How and when will they be delivered?

    It's commonplace these days to receive some amount of high resolution digital images from your wedding day but it's good to double check with the photographer what their photography packages include. Some photographers may only offer prints or a certain amount of digital images with additional downloads as an extra fee. It's also important to know what the deliverable is and when you will receive it. I deliver all of the final edited high resolution images available for download access via an online client gallery that is connected to a professional print lab.

14. How many wedding photos can we expect to receive?

    Every wedding is different and this amount can vary depending on your timeline, individual events on your wedding day, and how long your photography coverage is for. Your wedding photographer may have packages that dictate how many photos you will receive. I deliver roughly 100 edited images per hour that I shoot but again that number can vary depending on the day and how the timeline is structured. My goal is to deliver as many edited photos as I can without overwhelming clients with duplicates.

Fun questions to ask a photographer

1. What is your favorite part of a wedding day?

   This is a great way to get to know what parts of a wedding day your photographer enjoys and might give you some ideas about your wedding day.

2. What gear or equipment do you shoot with?

   This questions is by no means necessary and makes no difference how good a professional photographer is but if you’re into photography and camera gear you might have fun connecting with a photographer about this.

3. What is the coolest or most fun thing you’ve seen done at a wedding?

   As wedding photographers we get to see a lot of different celebrations and it’s not uncommon to see something new or out of the box at a wedding. Your photographer might end up giving you an idea that your guests will love.

Last-minute questions for your wedding photographer

Before your wedding day you might have some questions for your photographer regarding last minutes changes. You might find some of the answers to these questions in your photographer’s contract.

1. Do you have everything you need from us in order to do your job?

   Make sure that you provide your wedding photographer with a timeline of your day, necessary contact info and addresses, information on parking, a shot list or list of family portraits if applicable. Ask your photographer if there are any details they need from you prior to your wedding.

2. Can we change our photography package? Can we add a second shooter?

   As your wedding planning moves along you might decide you want more or less photography coverage than your initial package includes. You might also decide you want a second shooter. Check your contract or ask your wedding photographer if and when you can make these changes.

3. How do we cancel or reschedule?

   Life happens and unfortunately even the best wedding plans can hit road blocks. Communicate with your photographer as early as possible regarding your plans to cancel or reschedule your wedding and see what options you have. Revisit your photographer’s contract to see what steps are laid out.

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This is just the start of some of the questions you can ask a wedding photographer to work out whether or not you want to work with them on your wedding day. As a photographer myself, I find these questions open up conversation a little more than others and help paint a picture of who the photographer is and how they do business. Ultimately the questions you ask will likely be unique to you and your wedding.

Things to do in Portland, Oregon

Portland is known for its natural beauty, it’s great food, and it’s “weird” aesthetic. There’s something for everyone in this city which makes it a great place to visit any time of the year. Below are some of my favorite things to do in Portland including sights to see, places to eat, some tips on what time of year to go, and even an itinerary for your weekend trip to Portland, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. 

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What to do in Portland in the Spring

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Late March to Early May

If soaring over beautifully blooming tulip fields in a hot air balloon is on your bucket list then the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival has you covered. If staying on the ground is more your speed, the festival is a family friendly spring event where you can roam through the fields, have a picnic lunch, ride a hay wagon, grab a glass of wine in the tasting room and head home with a a bunch (or two) of fresh cut flowers.

"Crayon Box of Flowers" by Kirt Edblom is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Portland Cherry Blossoms

April to May

Taking a walk along the Tom McCall waterfront is an activity that I would suggest for most seasons. However, spring is when this place really shows off all that it has to offer when the cherry blossom trees come into bloom. Even if you have seen more than your fair share of pictures of cherry blossoms on Instagram, you still can’t quite prepare yourself for the surreal experience of actually immersing yourself in the scene and standing under rows and rows of blooming trees. I recommend waking up early, packing up a thermos of tea or coffee and catching the blossoms at sunrise as this place gets crowded. The most concentrated area of cherry blossoms is around the Japanese American Historical Plaza.

Silver Falls State Park

Late March to Early June

Spring is a great time of year to chase waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest when the weather is a bit more mild and the streams are full. Silver Falls State Park has 10 breathtaking waterfalls all accessible via one long-ish hike. Park in the lot near South Falls and catch you first waterfall not far down the trail. If you don’t want to hike the whole park, you can see South Falls and Lower South Falls fairly easily and on your way back home you can park at the North Falls Parking for a short walk to Upper North Falls.

Smell the Roses at The International Rose TEST Garden

Late May through October

Before I actually went to the Rose Garden myself I was prepared to be underwhelmed. In reality the place is way more expansive then I ever imagined, full of more rose varietals than I even ever knew existed. There is enough space to lose yourself in your thoughts while wandering and pondering which rose is your favorite. There is also an amphitheater where you can both stop and smell the roses and enjoy a picnic lunch in the sunshine. As a bonus there are also public restrooms and a snack stand right near the entrance of the garden if you forgot to pack this theoretical picnic.

Dog Mountain Wildflowers

Late May to Early June

Dog Mountain on the Washington side of the Columbia River is a steep and challenging hike but the payoff is worth it. As you come out of the woods you will be treated to hillsides covered in yellow Balsamroot flowers and incredible views of the Columbia Gorge. This hike does requires a permit on weekends. If you want to see some wildflowers without the long hike, take a look at Crawford Oaks Trailhead in Washington or the Tom McCall Preserve out past Hood River. Pro tip: Check the bloom status by looking at Dog Mountain on Instagram or All Trails. 

Photo by Chris Brodell

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Summer time activities in Portland

Berry picking on Sauvie Island

June through August depending on the fruit.

The Pumpkin Patch and Topaz Farms are two great spots for berry picking. Both locations not only have acres of fields to explore and gather fresh berries but also have cute farm stand style stores where you can snag some local syrups, wines, and other artisan goods. If you venture a bit deeper into the island you can also find stairs that lead to the river coast line. You can snack on your freshly picked berry goods while dipping your toes in the water.

Cool off in the Willamette River

July through August

Swim Dock or Sellwood Riverfront. It may be hot but that water is freezing; don’t forget a personal floatation device! This is also a great place to be a dog lover as pretty much everywhere you turn there are dogs and their owners enjoying this patch of sunshine. There also seems to be no shortage of kayakers and paddle board enthusiasts on the river in the summer. You can either become one of them or enjoy watching them exert their energy while enjoying a snack and a refreshing beverage on the warm sand- either is enjoyable in my opinion.

Fields of Lavender

June to July

Mountain views, aromatherapy, and a lot of honeybees? Lavender Valley Farms is a beautiful place to visit in the summer time and take a walk through the beautiful fields. Pick a bundle to take home with you, purchase some lavender honey, and visit nearby Hood River on your way back.

Photo by Chris Brodell

Summer Night Fun

Open-Air Cinema

NW Film Center regularly hosts a series of open air movie screenings through the months of July, August, and September. Check our their website for locations, movie selections, and screening times. Make sure to purchase your $20 tickets ($30 for VIP seating) in advance as these events tend to sell out. You can pack your own treats or purchase selections of drinks (both alcoholic and non alcoholic) from on site vendors and food trucks,

Roller Skating at Oaks Bottom Park

Whether you are an expert roller skater or someone who needs to hold onto the wall for a few rounds before getting your bearings, roller skating at Oaks Bottom Park is a perfect way to spend a summer evening. A $10 admission covers the cost of a skate rental. There are always new specials and events at the rink including Gay Skate and glow in the dark skate night.

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Fall in Portland

See the Fall Color

Locations around Portland

Peak fall color is usually mid to late October

Unlike some areas of the country, Portland actually has seasons and fall in Portland can be full of color. You can see some color at the Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, or Silver Falls State Park, or even just taking a walk around most Portland neighborhoods. We are a city of trees and it is hard to avoid seeing patches of beautiful color this time of the year.

Halloween Fun

Sauvie Island Corn Maze

Mid September through Late October

Sauvie island isn’t only a summer destination. Both Topaz Farm and The Pumpkin Patch transition from berry picking destinations into a pumpkin lovers paradise. Caramel corn, elephant ears, hay stacks and intricate corn mazes complete this fall dreamscape.

Halloween Town

Mid September through Late October

Halloween Town is not just a “classic” Disney movie, but a real celebration in the town of St. Helens that usually ranges from Mid September through Halloween. This celebration includes costume contests, tarot readings, themed shopping areas and even a haunted hotel. While there is not parking available on the city streets during this time you can get free parking in the paid lot with validation from a vendor that you spend at least $15 with.

Swift Migration

Chapman Elementary

September

Every September the largest roost of migrating Vaux Swifts puts on an evening show at Chapman Elementary in Northwest Portland. Just before sunset, thousands of swifts dance throughout the sky before going to bed in the school’s large chimney. It’s a really cool and mesmerizing display of nature. For more information follow the Swift Watch on the Portland Audubon website.

apple picking

Assorted locations throughout Hillsboro or Hood River

September - October

Apple picking no longer means just filling a bucket of apples and taking them home with the intentions of making elaborate pies and treats. With apple picking at Oregon Heritage Farms you can reward yourself for all your harvesting work by enjoying an apple cider slushie or eating a few (dozen) very Instagram worthy tiny apple cider donuts.

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Winter Activities in Portland

Snowshoe Trillium Lake

December to Early March

Trudging through snow in regular shoes is not a fun experience. Moving through the crisp landscape on snowshoes is a refreshing, exhilarating (and tiring) activity. A scenic place to test out your snowshoeing skills is Trillium Lake. While this is a beautiful location in the summer, the blanket of snow surrounding it during the winter months make it just that much more dazzling.

Timberline Lodge

Timberline is open year round but for a snowy, cozy scene try November to March

After your trek around Trillium, make your way up the mountain to Timberline Lodge and enjoy a hot chocolate by the fire.  The classic and cozy lodge will warm you up while you gaze through the large windows at the beautiful natural scenery that surrounds it. You can also order a full meal to go along with your whipped cream topped hot chocolate to really satisfy the appetite that you worked up with all that snowshoeing.

Deck the Halls at Peacock Lane

December

The houses on Peacock Lane are adorable to look at any time of the year. Their classic architecture and sloping roofs make this street a fun detour on a walk year round. However, this street transforms into a winter wonderland with each house decked out with lights and whimsical decorations. You can enjoy the sights while sipping on apple cider and generally soaking up all the holiday cheer.

something warm to drink

There is no shortage of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks to try out in Portland. Some of my favorite winter drink experiences have been at Smith Teamaker. They have a well rounded menu of hot teas and tea lattes. For those new to tea (or just those with an adventurous spirit) you can choose a tea flight, which includes a selection of flavors that are consistently rotated and updated. If alcoholic spirits are your thing you can check out a few (or all) of the locations listed on the Distillery Row map. You can grab a distillery row passport and embark on a self guided tour where you can check out Wild Roots, Freeland Spirits, and Straightaway Cocktails (and many others).

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Bonus Portland Places to Visit Year Round

Below are some bonus locations that are wonderful all year round.

Pips Original Doughnuts

Mini donuts and fresh chai. This combination is made even better by the fact that these delicious treats are made to order. The menu staples (including cinnamon and maple candied bacon) are tasty on their own but they also add in seasonal selections which provides an excuse to visit this place more than once. Pips Mobile also caters weddings and events, which makes for a perfect evening, later night, morning or afternoon treat.

Powell’s City of Books

Get lost in a book, or actually lost, in Powell’s City of Books. A trip to Portland, probably isn’t complete without a visit to one of the largest bookstores around.

Kennedy School

Sometimes when I think of returning to the classroom I need a drink. Good thing that is a reality at the Kennedy School. This creative bar makes the best use of an old elementary school by dividing it up into different lounge areas where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat. An extra bonus is the soaking pool, where you can relax and enjoy the experience of actually feeling relaxed in a school setting. They also have you covered if you get one too many drinks to safely drive home as they have an on site hotel.

Plant Shops and Flower Shops

Portland has no shortage of cool plant shops and flower spots. Some of my favorites to visit are Pistils Nursery , Arium Botanicals, Artemisia Collage with Nature, Solabee, Starflower and Colibri. This is just the tip of the iceberg as this is a town packed with great shops.

Tilamook Creamery

If you find yourself headed out to the Oregon Coast you can stop in to the Tillamook Creamery for all your dairy cravings. The visitors center is open seven days per week from 10:00am-6:00pm. You can take a self guided tour of the factory and finish your day with a taste of Tillamook dairy products in burgers, cheese curds, ice cream and more in the Dining Hall.

CORE PDX

CORE PDX is a food destination filled with Food Trucks and a gorgeous new food hall. This is a great option for big groups where it can be a challenge to get a consensus on one place to have a meal. Some great options at CORE include BKK Thai, Jas Kitchen, Sharks’ Cove and Breakside Brewery.

Portland Night Market

Portland is a city of makers. One of the best ways to seek out the goods that the creative entrpenuers of Portland have to offer is by visiting a Portland Night Market event. There is always good food, good music and good people surrounding the cool products that you can find at the market. Make sure to take a peek at their FAQ page to plan your night out as the event is held on rotating dates throughout the year.

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My Perfect Weekend in Portland Itinerary 

Friday Evening

Welcome to Portland! Get settled in at your hotel.

I recommend Woodlark Hotel, Hotel Grand Stark, or The Hoxton. Each of these spots have great places where you can get an after flight/long drive cocktail. 

Woodlark has Abigail Hall

Hotel Grand Stark has Bar Chamberlain

The Hoxton has Tope or 2NW5. 

Tope rooftop restaurant in The Hoxton. Photo by The Hoxton

If you aren’t ready to call it a night, you can visit the rooftop bar at Departure. 

Saturday Morning

Wake up early and grab a bite and some coffee downstairs. 

You’ll want to be quick though! If you’re going to the Columbia River Gorge you’ll want to beat the crowd and arrive at the trailhead before 8:00am. 

I recommend the Eagle Creek Trail. This place gets busy, especially in the summer, so again get there early. 

You could substitute Eagle Creek for a visit to Multnomah Falls. If you planned ahead you can snag a reservation online. See Oregon’s tallest waterfall from the bottom and hike your way all the way to the top! 

Saturday Afternoon

Following your hike you could grab a sandwich for lunch at Baker’s Mark (make sure you get there before they close at 3pm.)

After lunch, there’s more to see! Head to Washington Park to check out the Rose Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, or Japanese Garden. If you want to save the stress of finding parking (it’s hard sometimes!) there is a free shuttle that takes you around the whole park and stops at all the destinations. You can take the Blue or Red Max line and get off at Washington Park. Check station info and routes on the Trimet Website. 

Saturday Evening

Grab dinner at one of Portland’s newer restaurants, Takibi. If you opted for the Max, you can get off at the Providence Park stop and walk 14 minutes to the Northwest 23rd neighborhood.

Walk two blocks up to NW 23rd Ave and window shop your way to ice cream from Salt & Straw.

Sunday Morning

Wake up and grab breakfast. You can pick up a delicious breakfast burrito at Fried Egg I’m In Love. If you want something a little more slow, try the Hazel Room on Hawthorne Blvd.

Walk the waterfront or if you’ve got another hike in you, Mt. Tabor is a lovely park to visit.

It’s probably time for your flight. Have a good trip home!

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About Chris Brodell

I’m a wedding and portrait photographer based in Portland. My work takes me all over Portland to different parks, hiking trails, and great places to eat.