Places To Take Your Own Family Portraits In Salem, Oregon

The Best Places To Take Your Own Family Portraits In Salem Oregon

or How to Avoid Bokeh Roulette

Saturday afternoon I was asked what the best places to take your own family photos in Salem were. I thought about where I would go if I were going on a photo shoot for a family portrait in early Fall and mentioned places with gorgeous trees and warm scenery. I suggested a few places; a couple that are a 15 minute drive outside of town but are gorgeous this time of year and my two go-to parks for central Salem photographic beauty, Deepwood and Bush Park. Then I went out to do some shooting myself and that's when I realized my mistake.

I drove out to Bush Park, staying on the NE corner, near Deepwood, and then crossing over into Deepwood Estate. I'm a member of Deepwood, like many other Salem photographers. It is my favorite place in Salem to take photos, hands down. The only downside is, it is everyone else's favorite spot too. When you go, a photo shoot turns into a game of "stay out of each others background." Or Bokeh Roulette, as I like to call it.

I was able to get some decent shots, but it wasn't the same as having the park to yourself, as I often do, on a weekday afternoon. However, if you are on a shoot with someone who has a 9 to 5, or even 3 to midnight M-F job, a weekday afternoon isn't an easy option. So after the stress of my favorite Salem parks, it was time to think outside the park box.

Here are the places that thinking outside of the box took me, plus some other potential family portrait ideas:

1. State St. - On one side is Willamette University's beautiful campus, on the other side is Wilson Park and the Capitol. There can be a few people here, but the good news is there are so many trees, plants, statues, brick walls, and waterways that you are sure to find a backdrop that is people free.
And if the university or government buildings look too foreboding for a family photo, aim for a fluffy sequoia tree or Mill Stream with its adorable ducks as the background. Or, wait until spring for the flowers to bloom. There is never a bad season (except maybe Winter) to take photos here because of the varied plants and trees and with two campuses to choose from you will not run out of backdrops for your photos.

2. Pringle Park - If you are at Deepwood and Bush Park and having no luck, head on over to Pringle Park for some peace and quiet (as long as a Frisbee game is not on). This little green space is near the hospital and it is conveniently situated by a trail that goes into downtown for further exploration. The park itself, is filled with lush greenery and is inset by lovely concrete bridge work from an earlier decade and Pringle Creek gently flows from downtown to the side of the park and eventually to Deepwood Estate.

3. Downtown Murals - There are beautiful green spaces in Salem & Keizer everywhere if you just know where to look. But what if you want color and a city feel to your photos? My second favorite place in Salem to photograph is downtown, and not just for street photography. Each alley-way has new and old art formally and informally installed as well as beautiful vines creeping up the sides of vintage brick walls. I remember using the vines in high school for practicing portrait photography. Find an alley-way you like, be aware of service vehicles, and shoot away. Each alley is unique. Pick one that best expresses your family's style.

honorable mentions.... Ankeny NWR View Point - Take Liberty all the way out South until you reach Ankeny Hill Rd (stay left for hill view, straight for wetlands) HILL VIEW: There is a view point just up the hill, with a giant Oak tree  (boo! it died) , (still) beautiful views and light. WETLANDS: There are several spots on Liberty and nearby roads with access to the wetlands area. On the left, coming from Salem, is the main wetlands lot.
I highly recommend timing your photo shoot for an hour to two hours before sunset on a day with low haze/dust and a couple clouds in the sky. You will not be disappointed.
Joryville County Park - is a beautiful nature hike, with many scenic areas to take small group photos both at the bottom of the hill and at the top. Directions: 14 miles out Liberty Road, then two miles to Jory Road, then one mile west to park entrance
Willamette Mission State Park - Is an expansive, but beautiful park out past Keizer on the Willamette River. It costs $5 for the day, but if you bring a picnic lunch and spend sometime exploring, it is well worth the cost. There are many beautiful areas to take photos. My favorites are the tree groves.

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Salem, Oregon's Places To Photograph

Bush's Pasture Park, Salem, Oregon - photo by Lisa Miller

Film Reels: The Little Prince

Film Reels - In which I catch up on my classic movies and then talk about them.

The Little Prince -  Musical, 1974

It has been many years since my first encounter with The Little Prince. As a very young child I remember Nickelodeon playing the 1978 French/Japanese cartoon, The Adventures of The Little Prince, in the mid-80s. It was one of my first tv obsessions. The child prince alone on the moon, taking care of his rose friend and later going on adventures. I may have been a very small child while watching the show, but the memories stuck with me. I knew that someday, I'd find my little prince again, and I did...

While browsing Netflix for musicals to watch, my sister and I found The Little Prince from 1974. With a cast that includes Gene Wilder, Bob Fosse, and other familiar faces, we decided to give it a watch.Tthe first thing to keep in mind is this is a musical from the 70's and it is a bit dated. The second thing to keep in mind is that the book, written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, can be very dark in nature and deeply philosophical. Its not typically the stuff that kid's cartoons or movies are made of.

After the initial shock from the memories of my 5 year old self wore off, I started to really get into the allegories for war and politics as the Little Prince moved from planet to planet, as well as the touching story of the Pilot and the Prince. The movie was magical and heart-wrenching at the same time. Some scenes were still silly and dated, but I started to forget all my qualms about campiness and focused on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's message and beautiful phrases, even when translated from French. And how often do you get to see Bob Fosse dance like a snake!

My favorite scene has to be Gene Wilder's. As much as I love the Little Prince, the Fox stole the show. That man is so talented. He took a small animal and embodied the shyness of the fox and fragility of his and the Prince's relationship to a tee.

I won't spoil the ending, for those that don't know the story, but don't expect to be dry-eyed when the movie is over. And if you are like me, expect to have an intense urge to buy a copy of the book for when you are feeling lonely, political, or just in need of some literary beauty.

“All grown-ups were once children... but only few of them remember it.” 

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince