Latourell Falls ~ Senior Portrait Session in The Gorge, OR
Latourell Falls has long been on my photography location bucket list, so when this lovely young man reached out to schedule his senior portraits and asked if we could shoot at the falls it was an immediate YES. Of course, one never knows what the weather will be like in the Columbia Gorge in January, but we were hopeful for a decent day. Not only did we have a mostly dry morning, but it was also quiet at the location for a Saturday! Double score! We largely had the waterfall base to ourselves, though it was fun to see a few other photographers also capturing sessions in front of this beautiful water scene. The walk down to Latourell Falls is a beautiful, short stroll through tall trees and ferns and the bridge below the falls is also quite photo-worthy. My client was a joy to create with and he even announced that he was perfectly fine with getting close to the falls and getting soaked. This made my photographer heart quite happy, because the images we crafted are a whole VIBE.
I can’t recommend this location enough for photo sessions. It's a MUST stop for visitors traveling along Highway 30 through the Columbia Gorge, whether you are there to photograph with a client or just meandering for your own personal joy. If you are photographing at the fall, here are my tips for this location!
Visit in the Off-Season: To avoid crowds, this spot is best visited during the colder months or on weekdays during the busy warmer months.
Dress for the Elements: The spray from the falls reaches far—everyone involved should bring a towel and a change of clothes, especially if you're heading to the base of the water. There IS a public toilet here, just FYI.
Check the Weather: The Columbia Gorge weather is unpredictable, so be ready for anything and embrace the adventure.
Explore the Area: The fern-lined trail and bridge below the falls are perfect for capturing additional photo-worthy moments. There’s also a higher vantage point above the falls (use the stairs!) and the trail itself leads to a beautiful, longer hike!
Be Open to Getting Wet: If your client doesn’t mind the spray, taking photos close to the falls can add incredible energy to your images. However, the rocks off the trail can be super slippery and the fall itself has far more power than you realize - so please, use caution and don’t ask your client to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.
Be Respectful: When photographing in nature, please use the Leave No Trace principles and leave the location better than you found it. Also, be mindful of other folks visiting the falls and don’t monopolize the vantage points.
