I love the outdoors and spend as much time as I can enjoying nature's beauty. It provides such a magnificent backdrop and as a photographer in Oregon, I am provided with a huge variety to choose from. One of the most disappointing things is when I see trash left on a trail or a trail is closed down because it wasn't well taken care of. I wanted to provide you with some tools on how to leave no trace during your photoshoot, whether it's for an elopement, engagement, or couple session.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Make sure to stay on designated trails and if you plan to camp, set up camp in established campsites. Follow signs and bring a map of the trail, as sometimes it can be difficult to determine where the correct trail is. If you need to travel off-trail to let other groups pass, find bathroom privacy, or set up for your photoshoot. make sure you're on a durable surface such as sand, gravel, or snow (when safe to do so). This helps reduce the destruction of the natural landscape. It's a good idea to do some research on your location beforehand so you know what to expect. I recommend using AllTrails.

Dispose of Waste Properly

This is a big one. Be sure not to leave behind any trash. Bring a secure bag with you to your session to pack out your trash and any you find during your visit. Avoid using things like confetti that aren't native to the environment and can't be cleaned up. Want to show your excitement for your elopement or engagement? There are some great environmentally friendly options out there! You can find these pop-out streamers on Amazon. These are great because they stay attached, which makes for super easy clean-up!

Leave What You Find

As tempting as it is, avoid picking flowers and carving into trees. We want to leave nature looking as is so the next time you return, it looks just as beautiful. With different angles and posing, you can still get those beautiful flowers in your photos. We were still able to incorporate some beautiful flowers in the photos during this couple's session without picking them.

p.s. - the wildflowers are amazing in the Columbia River Gorge!

Respect Wildlife

Remember, you are visiting wild animals' homes. Quietly observe animals from afar. Never feed or touch wildlife, even if it would make for a "cool" picture. Getting too close to wild animals can cause them to become stressed, scared, and even harm you.

I hope you found these tips helpful for your elopement or engagement session! For more information on how to leave no trace, visit lnt.org.

Happy hiking!