Portland Blooms with Abbey

When Abbey reached out with her vision for her senior session—cherry blossoms—it was an easy yes. I’ve always dreamed of incorporating those soft, fleeting blooms into a session, and the Portland waterfront felt like the perfect backdrop. What I didn’t fully anticipate was just how strategic you have to be to catch peak bloom and create the kind of open, romantic, earthy images Abbey was hoping for. Our first attempt on a Sunday evening was beautiful, but the crowds made it nearly impossible to capture that quiet, open, dreamy feel.

So, we pivoted. We rescheduled for a weekday sunrise session, and wow… what a difference. With the soft morning light, peaceful surroundings, and blossoms showing off their full bloom, everything fell into place. It was one of those perfect reminders that when it comes to photography—especially in new locations—you sometimes have to try, adjust, and trust the process. Abbey’s session turned into everything we had envisioned and more, and it was so worth the early wake-up call.