Cathedral Park Engagement Photos

Written By Eric DePangher
Smiling couple holding hands in a sunlit park, with the man wearing a dark shirt and the woman in a pink and gold traditional dress, surrounded by greenery.

Cathedral Park Engagement Photos | Bethany + Rakesh

Cathedral park is a large urban park that is located in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland, Oregon located on the Willamette River. The park is known for its picturesque views of the St. Johns Bridge and its Gothic-style architecture, making it a popular location for engagement photos. Cathedral Park is a wonderful location for an engagement session, as it offers a variety of different backgrounds and settings that can be used to create a wide range of looks for photos.

We had such a great time capturing Bethany and Rakesh in this late summer engagement session as the weather was perfect and as it was a weekday the park was not too busy. We were lucky enough to get some images with the beautiful willow tree before it was lost to a fire last fall.

Couple embracing in a sunlit park, with the woman in a vibrant pink and gold dress and the man in a dark shirt, surrounded by trees and a lamppost.
Smiling couple embracing in a sunlit park, with the man wearing a dark shirt and the woman in a vibrant pink and gold dress, surrounded by greenery.
Couple posing in a sunlit park, with the man in a dark shirt and the woman in a bright pink and gold dress, surrounded by greenery and a lamppost in the background.
Close-up of a couple holding hands, with focus on the woman’s engagement ring, while she smiles in the blurred background, wearing a pink and gold dress.
Couple dancing in a park, with the man twirling the woman in her flowing pink and gold dress, surrounded by greenery and lamp posts.
Couple sharing a kiss on a park pathway, with the woman in a vibrant pink and gold dress and the man in a dark shirt, surrounded by greenery and a lamppost.
Couple standing under the arches of a bridge in Cathedral Park, with a vibrant green willow tree in the background and sunlight filtering through.
Couple sharing a romantic dip and kiss under a bridge, with a vibrant green willow tree in the background and the woman wearing a flowing pink and gold dress.

Some Tips for a great Engagement Session at Cathedral Park

  • Plan the shoot for the best lighting - The park offers beautiful views of the St. Johns Bridge, and the best time to take advantage of the light would be during sunset or golden hour.

  • Book your session during the weekday - If needed to be on a weekend make sure that no big park activities are going on. Also people reserve parts of the park for weddings, so if you have to go on a weekend we recommend going in the morning before most weddings have the space reserved.

  • Be prepared for the weather - Make sure to bring umbrellas or rain jackets in case of rain, and also consider the time of year and the temperature.

  • Add a personal touch to the photos -  Bring props such as a picnic blanket, food for a picnic, pets, or anything you value as a couple that can make the shoot more fun.

Black and white photo of a couple, with the woman smiling and leaning on the man’s shoulder, while he gazes into the distance.
Playful couple enjoying a piggyback ride, with the woman laughing and leaning on the smiling man, surrounded by vibrant yellow flowers and greenery.
Couple posing on a tree trunk in a forested area, with the woman wearing a floral dress and the man in a light sweater and jeans, both smiling.
Couple standing on a tree trunk in a forested area, with the man gently kissing the woman’s head as she smiles, surrounded by greenery and pink flowers.
Close-up of a couple sharing a kiss, with the woman’s hand resting on the man’s face, showing her engagement ring, surrounded by greenery and yellow flowers.
Black and white photo of a couple laughing together, with the woman playfully leaning towards the smiling man in front of a textured background.
Black and white photo of a couple sitting on a log by the water, with the woman laughing and leaning towards the smiling man as they enjoy a peaceful evening.
Couple posing under vibrant green willow branches, with the man wearing a light sweater and the woman in a floral dress, both smiling warmly.
Couple laughing and embracing in front of vibrant green willow branches, with the woman wearing a floral dress and the man in a light sweater.
Silhouette of a couple gazing at each other under a bridge at twilight, with a purple sky and trees in the background.
Couple holding hands and walking together in an urban alley, man wearing black shirt and pants, woman wearing a black polka dot dress with lace detail.

We’re Eric and Amber — a husband and wife photography team based in Portland, Oregon. We document weddings with a photojournalistic approach, capturing the real, in-between moments that tell the full story of your day. We’ll also guide you through a few timeless, fine art portraits to round it out.

Our style is true-to-life, intentional, and focused on what matters most: you, your people, and the energy of the day. We believe your photos should feel like you — not a version of you that was overly posed or filtered.

We celebrate all couples, bodies, styles, and traditions, and we’re here to help tell your story exactly as it unfolds.

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Eric DePangher
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