Photographing the Oregon Coastline
Our West Coast driving route
After wrapping up in Washington and leaving the state behind, my partner and I set off south along the stunning Oregon coastline. I had done a lot of research into the area and seen so many stunning images of this stretch of land so I couldn’t wait to finally experience and photograph it myself. My Google Maps for this area was littered with pins all along the coastline highlighting all the potential places to visit! Looking back I was probably a tad too ambitious with how much I was going to achieve in my two weeks here.
From famous sea stacks and prominent lighthouses to hidden gems and personal moments, here's a look at the highlights of my journey.
Canon Beach: Silhouettes and Stories
My first stop was the iconic Canon Beach, famous for its towering sea stacks, such as the awe-inspiring Haystack Rock. This beach is often featured in movies, most notably for me it was the setting of One Eyed Willies treasure in The Goonies! It’s not surprise then that this place is pretty famous. As we arrived, I was immediately taken by the landscape, but also quickly reminded of its reputation. There were photographers everywhere, each vying for the perfect shot. While the scene was incredible, the sheer number of people definitely took away from the peaceful vibe I usually seek.
Despite the crowds, I couldn’t deny the beauty of the place. The light was perfect for a sunset shoot, and I was lucky enough to catch some golden hour magic. Rather than just shoot the usual wide-angle landscapes, I decided to experiment with some silhouette shots to capture the popularity of this iconic location. In a few of my frames, I highlighted the photographers themselves, their tripods lined up against the setting sun. To my surprise, the beach wasn't just filled with photographers and tourists—there were elk grazing peacefully along the shore, adding a surreal touch to the scene. It’s hard to imagine anything more quintessentially Oregon than elk wandering a beach at sunset.
Hug Point: A Quiet Escape
Next up was Hug Point, a quieter, less-visited location just south of Canon Beach that I’d found on iOverlander - the app we use to find spots to camp, shower and do all the vanlife essentials such as getting water. The sandy cliffs and unique rock formations made for a stunning scene, and the best part? I was the only landscape photographer there. There was a couple getting their engagement photographs shot on the beach, which made for a beautiful and unexpected addition to my shots. I felt that the couple here really helped to give the shot a romantic feel and just add that extra hint of something special. For this image, I used a long lens and shot at 75mm, this allowed me to really focus in on framing that couple.
This location ended up being one of my favourite beaches on the Oregon coastline. It’s not surprising though, I am often drawn to peaceful places and this was one of the few locations where I managed to get some alone time in nature!
Cape Meares: Full of Memories
Cape Meares was a spot I had high hopes for, primarily because of its lighthouse. But when I arrived, I found that the lighthouse didn’t quite sit on a peninsula as I’d imagined. Instead, it was tucked near the cliffs, offering less dramatic views than I had hoped.
Still, this stop turned out to be more about the experience than the photograph. We got a little lost and came across a wild camping spot on top of the hill overlooking the ocean and pulled in for the evening. I spent a quiet evening sitting in my camping chair next to my partner, watching the golden light fade over the ocean, feeling as though I was on top of the world. This image won’t make it to my portfolio, but it’ll always hold a special place in my heart. Often, it’s not the most visually stunning shots that stand out, but the ones tied to the memories of where you were and how you felt. Every time I look at this image, I’m reminded of those peaceful moments.
Yaquina Head: Biking to Golden Light
Still on the hunt for that iconic lighthouse image, I was eager to explore Yaquina Head. The museum here was fascinating along with the interesting tide pools on the beach, I would recommend taking a visit to check it out yourself! I had hoped to stay around for sunset but I was informed that carpark and road were going to close about an hour before sunset and as such we had to leave.
Not one to let a minor setback ruin my evening, I decided to bike up the road to catch the light. And it was worth every pedal. I spent the evening wandering the area on my own, photographing the stunning coastline as the golden light bathed the rocks and cliffs. It was pure bliss, just me and the landscape. For the edit, I leaned into the warm, yellow tones of the scene, trying to capture the serenity I felt in that moment.
Thor’s Well: Long Exposure Magic
One of the most dramatic locations I visited was Thor’s Well, a natural sinkhole where water surges up and down with incredible force. Capturing the movement of the waves here was tricky, and I spent a lot of time experimenting with long exposure photography to find the right balance.
If the exposure was too long, the water turned into a blurry white mass, with no texture or contrast. Too short, and I didn’t capture the sense of movement I wanted. After a bit of trial and error, I landed on 1.6 seconds for the perfect exposure. This gave the water enough time to flow in and out of the well, creating the ethereal effect I was after. I’ll admit, I spent way more time than I’d like to admit just standing there, waiting for the perfect wave to come up and make the shot. But that’s the beauty of nature—patience often leads to the best moments.
Pro tip: When shooting at locations like Thor’s Well, please be careful. The rocks can be slippery, and waves can be unpredictable. Always stay at a safe distance, and never underestimate the power of the ocean.
Heceta Head: Waiting for the Milky Way
Heceta Head Lighthouse was another location I was excited to photograph, and I was hoping to catch a shot of the Milky Way overhead, with the lighthouse in the foreground. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the skies were too cloudy to see any stars, so I had to adjust my expectations and focus on getting a few sunset shots.
Though I didn’t get the shot I was hoping for, I made the best of it and took a few images of the lighthouse during sunset and into the evening. I ended up waiting until pretty late at night to get some images of the beam cutting through the foggy air. This shot was a nice mix between capturing the last of the sunset but being dark enough to really see the beam of the lighthouse. It has been lightened significantly in post processing.
I’ll definitely be returning for another attempt—next time, hopefully with clearer skies. Heceta Head is now on my list for a future night photography session, and I can’t wait to return with the right conditions.
Bandon Beach: My Favorite Shot
Bandon Beach quickly became my favourite stop on the trip. The Witches Hat Seastack is one of the most iconic features of the coast, and had been on my radar for a while, and I couldn’t resist doing a self-portrait. This image, which I titled Spellbound, ended up being my favourite from the entire trip.
In the shot, I’m looking up at the rock, which gives the scene a real sense of scale. I wanted to convey the feeling of being in awe and under a spell—mesmerized by the sheer beauty and presence of the rock. It was surprisingly quiet here, too—while most photographers were elsewhere on the beach, I had the Witches hat all to myself. It felt almost surreal, standing alone under such an iconic formation.
I also shot a few more frames of the sun setting behind other sea stacks on the beach. The changing light provided endless opportunities for different compositions, but Spellbound will always be the standout.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities for next time
Though I covered a lot of ground, there are still so many spots I’d love to photograph. Places like Cape Arago State Park, Sunset Bay State Park, and Spouting Horn are all on my list for next time. We passed many of these locations, but the timing just wasn’t right for the perfect shot or we had other non-photography plans. Unfortunately my time was also limited in this area, we had a flight booked in Los Angeles so there was a pressure to make some distance. If time were unlimited I would have gladly spent several more weeks exploring this area. The Oregon coast is full of hidden gems, and I know I could spend a lifetime here and still not capture it all.
The Road Ahead: California dreamin’
Stay tuned for my next instalment of my photography roadtrip! Where I share photographs from the Redwoods, Yosemite and more. Along with details of a sudden turn of events which cut my adventures short!