Dayton’s Historic Oregon District Engagement Session Info
June 5, 2024
Historic Oregon District Description
This area just east of downtown Dayton Ohio is my favorite engagement session location in Dayton. If you are looking for urban engagement photos in Dayton, the Oregon District is the location for you. I love the historic homes, brick streets, and eclectic storefronts that are all around this Dayton engagement location.
When engaged couples ask about my favorite Dayton engagement shoot spot, only one comes to mind, the Oregon District. I love old buildings and history, so the Oregon District is perfect for me. Combining that with some wild colors, unique architecture, and a vibrant art scene, I can create amazing engagement photos. This area is best in the early hours of the day. The later in the day you go, the more people and cars you will have to deal with.
Historic Oregon District Highlights
- Address: 318 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402
- Brick Streets
- Colorful
- Vibrant Alleys
- Historic Homes
- Eclectic Buildings
- Reasons You Should Choose: Historic buildings, brick streets, and a huge number of backgrounds make this one of my top engagement locations.
- Reasons To Not Choose: There is a lot of vehicle and foot traffic that can interfere with engagement photoshoots.
TIP: You can shoot here every week and always find new backdrops to use for photos.
Spring Evening Oregon District Photos Of An Engaged Couple
phing this energetic engaged couple in a historic area of Dayton, Ohio was truly a pleasure. Self-deprecating by saying many stupid things made the bride-to-be laugh a lot. I always make a quick judgment about how to get the couple to open up. I remember starting by saying “Hi. Are you nervous? Me too!” Now, I never get nervous doing photos but opening with the joke helped put them at ease. In this neighborhood, I always meet people at Omega Music.
Being Up For Anything
Newly engaged couples such as this one do really well when they are up for anything. I love suggesting unusual backdrops (alleys), whispering silly things to each other, and shooting in the middle of the streets. Of course, I preface all of this with the caveat “if you don’t want to do something, just tell me.” I don’t make anyone jump off of things, and I never ask anyone to trespass. In this neighborhood, I have to be extra careful to make sure we stay out of people’s yards. I also try to keep my voice low so as not to disrupt someone at home.
Dealing With An Engaged Couple
Every Dayton engagement session and approach to the session is different. I go into a session with an idea of what I want to do or how I want to engage the client. Even though I have most likely met the couple before, how they are at the session may be different. Often, people are nervous, so I have to come up with topics to talk about. Talking about things that the couple is interested in helps them open up. I also spend a lot of time talking to them about the best aspects of the wedding venues.
A Downtown Dayton Engagement Session At 2 Iconic Engagement Locations
Our goal was to split our time between Deeds Point MetroPark and the Oregon District, but due to the wind, we spent more time in the historic Oregon District. This was the couple’s decision, and I agreed. Photographing this couple was super easy because they were really affectionate and smiled a lot. When I don’t have to pull the emotions out of my couples, it makes my job a little easier. I was extra impressed with these two since they were dealing with the cold and the wind. Great job you two!
This couple was one of the most fun couples I have photographed, and I wish I were also photographing their wedding. (They are getting married in Colorado). I also wish that we hadn’t had to deal with the wind. Unexpected situations happen, so I just have to roll with it. They were happy with these photos which is always good to hear. My favorite one is the black and white shot where they are almost kissing with the Riverscape fountains blurred in the background.
Engagement Photography In Downtown Dayton’s Historic District
As a Dayton engagement photographer, I get to visit so many amazing Dayton engagement locations. Near the top of my list of favorite engagement locations in the Dayton area is the historic Oregon District. This is the single best Dayton engagement shoot spot with my favorite backgrounds. The large, dense area of historic homes, stores, breweries, brick streets, and restaurants provides an endless backdrop for amazing engagement photos. Sunday, June 30, 2019, was no exception!! By the way, the first photo below is my single favorite engagement photo I’ve ever taken. I love the joy in their smiles.
Dayton Engagement Shoot Spot With My Favorite Backgrounds
When meeting a newly engaged couple in the Oregon District, I will park at Omega Music and wait for the couple. We will then make our way around several blocks within the business area and residential area to create these Dayton engagement photos. Some of my favorite backdrops to use are the brick streets, graffiti-covered alleys, brick walls of homes (without trespassing), and a great deal of historic architecture. I usually finish our Dayton engagement photography time by walking west on 5th Street through the main business area. There are so many unique storefronts that enable unique Dayton engagement photos. I will sometimes ask for permission to photograph the couple inside businesses.
Oregon District Parking Tip
Parking behind Omega Music is no longer free. If you want to park for free during your Dayton engagement photo session, try parking on the street. Should you decide to park elsewhere, be prepared to walk. It isn’t a long walk from anywhere, but you should build in time from parking to the starting location. Additionally, be prepared for summer weekend road closures. The Dayton Police Department regularly makes 5th Street pedestrian-only on weekends.
Popular Engagement Photo Spot In Downtown Dayton
nts often ask me what my favorite location is for photographing couples. For years, it has been the Oregon District which is Fifth Street just east of Patterson Boulevard in downtown Dayton, Ohio. This newly engaged couple decided to use this uniquely Dayton location, a popular engagement photo spot in downtown Dayton, Ohio. As we started the session, we got a pleasant surprise from the owner of the Oregon Express bar and restaurant.
I had just set my studio lights outside when he asked if we would like to use the balcony to photograph with the City of Dayton in the background. One of my photographer tricks I use is to shoot low and shoot high to get different perspectives than most people. So of course, we took him up on the offer. After squeezing through a tiny stairwell, we exited onto the balcony.
Using Downtown Dayton As A Background
I have used downtown as a background hundreds of times, but the angle from the second floor was awesome. Instead of partially being blocked bo the active railroad bridge, downtown was there in all of its Gem City glory. The bridge acted as the lower frame of the city instead of intersecting it. The only thing that could have made the photos up there better was if a train was going by.
Once back on the street, we worked our way through the streets and past historic houses and buildings, ending up at the park just two blocks south of Fifth Street. This isn’t my favorite park due to utility lines and cars all around, but I can squeak out some good photos before moving on. The bride to be, wearing a perfect maroon sleeveless shirt, jokingly said she wanted photos on the Tyrannosaurus Rec Center, a piece of playground equipment, I obliged, and you can see the resulting T-Rec Center engagement photo below.
We spent the next 45 minutes capturing photos of the personalities and love. When we left, I felt they were much more comfortable than when we first started. Not many people like to have their photos taken, especially when it is one photographed and themselves. One of the reasons I like people to take engagement photos is to understand how I work and to become comfortable with the process. Check out more of my engagement session portfolio.
New Year’s Eve Oregon District Engagement Photos Dayton Ohio Winter Pics
Ending a great 2023 with an New Year’s Eve Oregon District engagement session was awesome. This couple contacted me a few weeks ahead of time to schedule my final photography session of the year. We met at Salar (Oregon District) on Fifth Street on a freezing cold evening 30 minutes before sunset. As we started the session it began to snow lightly which you can see in some of the photos below. So as the snow came down, I began to photograph this couple.
I’ve photographed dozens of engagement sessions and senior pictures in this particular setting, so my challenge is to create unique photos for every client. With this couple, we were able to use the interior of Salar due to their upcoming reservation. There were patrons dining inside, so we used the New Year’s Eve decorations and the covered patio for a few photos. We spent most of the 25 minutes outside with the bride-to-be freezing in her dress. I always have ideas in mind going into a shoot. In this case, quick action resulted in good photos and a couple who was able to escape the cold as quickly. as possible.
My Artistic Approach To This Oregon District Engagement Session
As an artist, I decide if I want to isolate the subjects or have the background by more prominent in the photos. For this evening, taking into account the grey skies and lack of foliage, I opted for isolating them. My favorite example of this is the first photo with the couple facing downtown Dayton and Fifth Street blurred behind them. Her stoic look and his hand in his pocket added something extra to the photo. I also wanted to highlight her tattoos which I loved. Her sparkling dress made me look forward to my upcoming Great Gatsby-themed wedding.
