Photography in Salem Oregon

Growing up I was a military brat that got to see my fair share of this great country. After graduation I enlisted myself and found my boots on the ground of some spectacular cities (as well as some not-so-spectacular ones). The pattern that emerges from traveling this country extensively is that you really never want to live in a capital city. Don’t believe me? Check out the crime rates of Washington D.C., or Sacramento California. But the one capitol city that has me eating my words and rethinking my stance is good old Salem, Oregon. Simply put Salem rocks and if I can borrow a few minutes of your time, I’m going to tell you why.

As a professional photographer the beauty of a city has a lot to do with my enjoyment of it.

It’s beautiful.

As a professional photographer the beauty of a city has a lot to do with my enjoyment of it. At every turn, Salem produces some of the coolest looking landmarks, like the State Capitol, the Elsinore Theater, or the Union Street Railroad Bridge. I can spend all day bouncing around Salem with a camera and never get tired of photographing old buildings like the Reed Opera House or the beautiful manicured lawns of Deepwood Estates. Salem is a visual wonderland for photographers and my clients reap the rewards. Whether you looking for family portraits, senior pictures or even just a headshot Salem Oregon is going to have the perfect backdrop to fit your personal taste and style.

There is a huge art community in Salem.

Salem Oregon Convention Center, Salem Oregon

The Culture.

There is a huge art community in Salem. Painters, glass blowers, photographers, chefs and many other types of artists call Salem their home. The city embraces artists and their creative endeavors in a way that rivals more expected cities like Portland and Eugene. Not to overstate it but I really feel that Salem is in a state of cultural renaissance. I believe that a huge part of this renaissance is do to the people both past and present. People like the Ford Family that opened Hailey Ford Art Museum and offer grants for visual artist have laid the foundations for the budding art scene that Salem is currently experiencing.

The People.

The city of Salem embraces artists and so does its people. As a visual artist I’m constantly chasing locations to photograph my clients that are new and different. In Salem I am never told “no” when I ask for access to a location. I have photographed clients in the Salem Center mall, Oregon Tattoo, Starbucks, the Elsinore theater and even the state capitol. Everyone we’ve asked has always been enthused to be part of the creative process and have thrown the doors to their business wide open for us. Trust me this has not been my experience in other cities. In other cities I’m usually met with suspicions and an open palm as they ask for a location fee or permits. Salem as a whole is incredibly supportive of its artists and that support has created an incredibly unique culture.

So to wrap it all up Salem is a stunning double threat of a capital city. If you're looking for urban senior picture ideas Salem has the beauty AND the personality to make this jaded military brat happy to eat his words.

Thanks for reading,
Daniel

More Photography in Salem:
Senior Pictures Salem Oregon
Family Photography Salem Oregon

Daniel Troutman
daniel@troutmanphoto.com
Albany, OR

Daniel Troutman started his career in 1999, is an internationally published photographer. He began as a staff travel photographer, and is now runs a retail studio in Albany, Oregon. His images have been published by some of the largest agencies in the world, such as Newsweek, VH1 Music Television, The Food Network and Best Western Hotels.

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