Danielle + Cendrail
Venue: Hoyt Arboretum
Season: Spring| Duration 1h20 hoursVenue: Hoyt Arboretum | Season: Spring | Duration 1H30
AN ENDURING ROMANCE
at Northwood Manor
There is something really special about photographing couples who have truly grown up together, and that was exactly the feeling during Danielle and Cendrail’s engagement session at Hoyt Arboretum in Portland. These two have been together for 8 years after meeting in their early twenties, and hearing their story made the session feel even more meaningful.
One of my favorite parts? They were both visiting Oregon when they met, only to later realize they had actually been living in the same area in Phoenix at the same time. Somehow, life kept putting them in each other’s orbit until the timing was finally right.
Danielle and I had been talking and planning this engagement session for months. We went back and forth putting together inspiration, choosing the perfect location, and coordinating wardrobe ideas to create the dreamy engagement photos she had always envisioned. We changed locations multiple times trying to find the perfect fit, and we finally landed on Hoyt Arboretum — which ended up being absolutely perfect.
This was actually my first engagement session at Hoyt Arboretum, and I completely understand why couples love it so much. The park feels incredibly diverse with lush green meadows, towering trees, winding trails, and the famous redwood grove all within the same area. It honestly feels like several locations in one.
Like most couples, Danielle and Cendrail were a little nervous at first — which is completely normal. Almost everyone tells me they feel awkward in front of the camera before we start. My approach is always focused on making people feel comfortable rather than overly posed. I never expect couples to know exactly what to do.
We started the session in a lush green meadow with a blanket I had brought along. I told them, “Just pretend you’re having a picnic and I’m not here.” That simple direction immediately shifted the energy. They relaxed into each other naturally, laughing, cuddling, and simply being together.
Throughout the session, I gently guided them into different positions while always making sure everything still felt natural and not forced. I want couples to move, interact, and connect rather than stand stiffly staring at the camera.
As we explored the park, we wandered through multiple areas to create a gallery that felt full and dynamic. It randomly ended up being almost 90 degrees that day, and I think we walked at least a mile through the arboretum chasing different scenery and light. The effort was worth it, though, because we were able to capture so much variety.
