Winter in Portland may seem intimidating to photographers, but for those who aren’t afraid to get a little cold + wet, the fog, rain, and occasional snowstorms actually provide plenty of opportunities to capture stunning shots around the city.
Cathedral Park
Though the unique perspectives + architecture of Cathedral Park are a photographer’s paradise year round, this spot along the Willamette River — believed to have been a campsite for Lewis and Clark on their famous exploratory mission — takes on a particularly enchanted quality during winter. The signature teal paint of the St. Johns Bridge pops against gray skies, and fog often shrouds its lofty reaches, creating a somber, minimalist aesthetic. When the sun is out (yay), the dramatic, low-angled light casts shadows that stretch beneath its arches. And when it snows? No, you didn’t just stumble through a wardrobe into Narnia, but the gothic lamp posts do create a magical setting.
Rocky Butte Natural Area
Above the confluence of the I-205 and I-84 freeways, this ancient cinder cone’s open summit provides unobstructed views of a distant downtown, and snow-capped peaks in the Cascade Range. With a little ambition (potent coffee doesn’t hurt either), early risers can witness truly jaw-dropping sunrises. Hues of pink + orange outline Mt. Hood’s silhouette, and as predawn gives way to golden hour, the foothills take on a sheen that will delight landscape photographers — and honestly, anyone.
Portland Japanese Garden
The Portland Japanese Garden is rightly known for its vibrant autumn colors, however, an entirely different kind of beauty is revealed once the leaves fall, and form + function are laid bare. Dew clings to skeletal maple branches and an ethereal mist often hangs in the air, evoking distant locales like Sapporo, one of Portland’s sister cities. Stop by the waterfall + koi pond to watch iridescent fish swim beneath the walkway. The garden is open Wed.-Mon., from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Keep in mind there are rules regarding commercial photography and the tripod fee is $10.
Sellwood Park
Nothing signals the full swing of the holidays like seeing the Sellwood-Moreland Christmas tree lit up on the bluffs above Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. Photographers should bring their tripods and wide-angle lenses to this Southeast Portland neighborhood in the evening; arranging a long exposure shot of the twinkling fir beside the glowing skyline makes for quite the panorama. On overcast days, the grove of tall evergreens in Sellwood Park sets the tone for moody, umbrella-equipped portraits destined for Instagram, and the steeple of nearby Oaks Pioneer Church, built in 1851, is a great backdrop for a rustic photoshoot.
Sauvie Island
Just ten miles northwest of Portland, visitors frequent Sauvie Island to enjoy its bucolic charm and ample recreation opportunities. The sandy beaches + wetland habitat attract abundant wildlife as well — with elk, beaver, and more than 275 species of birds calling the sanctuary home. At Raccoon Point, birders can find wintering flocks of geese, white-throated sparrows, and with a bit of luck, sandhill cranes (unmistakable for their crimson red crown and long neck). Any wildlife photographer will tell you a trusty telephoto lens and pair of binoculars are critical to successfully snapping a frame of these fascinating animals, but if you can’t get close enough, the scenery is a worthwhile alternative. Massive cargo ships make their way up the Columbia River like floating buildings and another (sleeping) giant, Mt. St. Helens, rises over the treeline.