Fall Engagement Session at Milo McIver

Alt text: A couple kisses during a fall engagement session at a peaceful lake in Milo McIver State Park, surrounded by evergreen trees and soft autumn colors in Oregon.

Oregon | Scott + Sam

Fall engagement sessions in Oregon don’t get much better than this—and Scott and Sam’s engagement session at Milo McIver State Park is a perfect example of why. Located about 45 minutes from Portland, Milo McIver feels like a true hidden gem of the Pacific Northwest. Tucked just outside of Estacada, the park offers towering trees, winding trails, and expansive natural spaces that absolutely come alive in the fall.

Two men standing together on a leaf-covered forest path surrounded by golden fall foliage, wearing casual flannel and boots during an outdoor engagement session.
Two men sharing a kiss on a wooded trail with golden fall leaves, captured during an outdoor engagement session in autumn.
One man lifting his partner while laughing under yellow fall leaves in a forest clearing during a playful outdoor engagement session.
Two men embracing and kissing in a forest surrounded by golden autumn leaves during an outdoor fall engagement session.

Scott and Sam chose Milo McIver State Park for their engagement session because of its stunning fall colors, and it delivered in every way. Golden leaves covered the ground, warm yellows filled the trees, and soft autumn light filtered through the forest canopy. It’s the kind of location that feels quiet, peaceful, and removed from the city—despite being an easy drive from Portland.

Two men holding hands and walking through a forest covered in golden fall leaves during an outdoor engagement session.
Gay engagement photos in Oregon forest with fall leaves and romantic moments.
Close-up of two men sharing a tender forehead kiss in a wooded setting with soft fall colors during an outdoor engagement session.
One man giving his partner a piggyback ride in a forest filled with golden fall leaves during a fun outdoor engagement session.

What truly made this session unforgettable, though, was Scott and Sam themselves. These two are genuinely amazing to be around and an absolute blast. Their connection is effortless, full of laughter, and grounded in real joy. Whether they were walking through the leaves, sharing quiet moments, or laughing mid-piggyback ride, their energy made every photo feel natural and honest.

Same-sex couple engagement photos in an Oregon forest with golden autumn leaves in the background.
Close-up of two hands with matching rings resting over a flannel jacket during an outdoor engagement session.
Two men sitting by a calm lake, sharing a kiss and smiling during a peaceful fall engagement session.
Same-sex couple engagement photos at an Oregon lake with fall trees reflected in the water.

Milo McIver State Park is one of my favorite spots for Oregon engagement photos, especially in the fall. It offers incredible variety in a single location—open fields, forested trails, river views, and endless seasonal color. For couples who want their engagement session to feel relaxed, outdoorsy, and very PNW, it’s hard to beat.

One man hugging his partner from behind while standing on a forest trail during a relaxed fall engagement session.
Same-sex couple engagement photos by an Oregon lake with forest reflections and mountain scenery in the background.
Same-sex couple engagement photos on an Oregon forest path with autumn greenery and fall colors.
Couple sharing a kiss on a wooden overlook with a calm lake and forest reflections during a fall engagement session.
Two men sitting on a wooden fence and smiling at the camera in a green forest during a relaxed fall engagement session.
Two men lying in fallen autumn leaves and smiling at the camera during a cozy outdoor engagement session.

Scott and Sam’s fall engagement session was a reminder that the best photos come from a combination of a beautiful location and a couple who is fully present and being themselves. Milo McIver may be a hidden gem near Portland, but sessions like this show just how special it really is.

If you’re dreaming of fall engagement photos near Portland, Oregon, Milo McIver State Park is absolutely worth considering.

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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