Top 10 Event Photographers in Portland

While everyone can capture photos on their smartphones, there’s nothing quite like having a pro on hand to document your event. They’ll not only have high-quality equipment and the technical aptitude to capture beautiful shots but they’ll be solely focused on the job at hand.

If you’re planning an event in Portland, we have you covered, with 10 of the best event photographers in the business.

Portland Event Photography

Portland Event Photography has more than 12 years of experience documenting celebrations in the Pacific Northwest region. They also work with an ever-growing network of professional photographers to capture events throughout the United States and can offer recommendations if you’re looking for a trusted individual. Portland Event Photography has been in charge of photographing large-scale conventions and conferences for brands such as Google, JavaOne, and Cisco Live, as well as documenting the Cisco Partner Summit and Game Developers Conference.

Evergreen Event Photography

Evergreen Event Photography is the husband and wife team of Trevor and Diana, each of whom brings their own strengths and experience to the business. In fact, they met at a photoshoot in Washington D.C. and have been partnering ever since, with a reputation for a high level of customer service and creativity. Aside from events, such as cocktail hours, conferences, and trade shows, they can also be hired to document gala and award ceremonies, races, and golf tournaments.

Meg Nanna Foto

Meg Nanna is all about documenting people and experiences and says that without these elements, “the photos would be nothing”. As a creative, she strives to show her viewer just how amazing her subjects are, whether it’s documenting theatrical performances, professional musicians, or local restaurants. Meg has collaborated with numerous magazines and newspapers throughout her career, as well as clothing companies and bloggers. She says: “It’s not about taking a "pretty photo", it's about the lives that are changed in the process, and the bringing together of different groups of people.”

Anthony Pidgeon

Anthony Pidgeon is one of Portland’s leading event photographers, particularly in the city’s live music scene. His impressive portfolio includes onstage and backstage experiences from the 1990s onwards, as well as portraits of prominent musicians. Anthony’s event photography always captures the energy of the space and the people who make it what it is. He also regularly collaborates with restaurants to showcase their menus, as well as working with individuals and brands to capture location portraits.

Beth Nakamura

Based in Portland, Beth Nakamura is an Emmy Award-winning visual journalist who documents everything from local protests to prom nights and scenes from the pandemic. Her work has been recognized by the National Press Photographers Association, American Photography, and the Society of Professional Journalists, to name just a few, and she works as an instructor on the University of Oregon Multimedia Journalism Graduate Program. When she’s not photographing, Beth is busy writing and creating documentary videos.

Kenton Waltz

With previous clients that include TEDx Portland, The Portland Mercury, and Oh! Creative, Kenton Waltz is one of the most in-demand freelance photographers in Portland. He’s renowned for his photojournalist approach to photography, whether he’s shooting events, products, or people, and there’s always an authenticity about his work. Kenton believes that being raised on a farm has contributed to his solid work ethic and it’s not uncommon for him to form long-lasting relationships with clients as a result.

Kitta Bodmer Photography

Kitta Bodmer says that while she doesn’t have a great sense of direction, her ability to see color combinations, patterns and lighting is what contributes to her being an artist. Born and raised in Portland, she’s passionate about working with people and in the arts and started Kitta Bodmer Photography in 2004 after documenting a family vacation to China. She specializes in photographing company events, both big and small, as well as offering professional headshots and images for company websites.

Sam Gehrke

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to artistic parents, Sam Gehrke later moved to the small town of Eugene, Oregon where he would accompany his father on photo shoots. Near the end of high school, he was given his first DSLR camera and plunged headfirst into the world of photography, initially capturing all the movement and energy of skateboarding. Eventually, his work was being showcased online and he’s since been featured on the Rolling Stone, OPB, and NPR websites, as well as in “Vice Magazine” and the “Eugene Weekly”.

Amy Thelen

Specializing in photographing families, births, and life events, Amy Thelen is a documentary-style photographer who has been shooting professionally since 2015. She holds a Masters in Education and has spent many years working with families, with a knack for making children feel comfortable in front of the camera. Amy photographs events in Portland, Oregon, and the surrounding areas, with true-to-life storytelling at the fore of her approach. When she’s not working, Amy is busy baking sourdough and brewing kombucha.

PDX Event Photography

With more than 20 years of experience under its belt, PDX Event Photography is a leading name in Portland’s event photography scene. They work with both corporate and non-profit clients, with an approach that centers around capturing the atmosphere of an event and its human interactions. Aside from ambient light, PDX Event Photography uses bounce flash and off-camera strobes in low-lit situations and captures raw files that can be post-processed for the best results possible.

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