There are places that don’t just exist on a map—they live in your bones long after you’ve left. For me, that’s the Pacific Northwest, especially Oregon and Washington. The moment I landed there, the crisp air, the mist hanging over the trees, and the endless wilderness told me I was in a landscape unlike anywhere else in the U.S. It felt cinematic, as if the world itself was conspiring to hand me the perfect shot.
I’d seen countless posts of the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor in southern Oregon—jagged cliffs, dramatic arches, turquoise water smashing into rock. That first spark of inspiration planted a seed. Even though I haven’t made it there yet, the idea of returning to explore it has only deepened my obsession with this region.
Filming in Oregon
Oregon was where this connection deepened for me. I filmed two music videos there, and honestly, I couldn’t have picked a better backdrop. The state feels like a natural movie set—towering evergreens, dramatic coastlines, moss-draped forests. Every shot was a gift.
For my music video “Flowers” (watch here) We filmed in a gorgeous flower filmed at the magnificent West Union Gardens & Mt. View Orchards in Oregon as well as The Berry Farms in Florida for graciously allowing us to film on their beautiful flower fields. https://westuniongardens.com/
Aviva and Yael picked flowers while Luis and I filmed the music video. the weather was splendid and in 2 hours we had everything we needed.
Flowers is about finding those joyful moments. Those meaningful bits. Those good nuggets of life we all have. Sure life can be super hard. Sometimes it feels like everything is bad. Like it’s all just thistles and thorns. Its not. At any given moment there is a veritable myriad of things to be grateful for. To appreciate. To cherish. Who said you deserve to breathe? Or walk? Or anything else? Like picking flowers out of a field of thorns the message of flowers is clear. If you’re feeling down, go pick some flowers of goodness in your life and smell them, take them in and let it warm up your soul.
Portland, Oregon
We spent time in Portland, soaking up the city’s creative energy, before escaping to the wilderness. While exploring in Portland and came across this awesome popup thrift market. Of course i took the opportunity to shoot a quick hyperlapse while we were there. Luis and I argued over wther it was a hyperlapse or timelapse, he usually wins our arguments dammit!
We based ourselves for the first day in Portland, which is such a cool city—creative energy everywhere, quirky neighborhoods, and this easy access to the wilderness. One moment you’re grabbing a coffee downtown, and an hour later you’re standing at the edge of a cliff in the Columbia River Gorge, waterfalls crashing down like something out of a dream.
The Columbia River Gorge was a standout—waterfalls at every turn, trails framed by lush foliage, and the kind of moody skies that make photos look like paintings. We stayed in a beautiful cabin deep in the woods along the Columbia River, waking up to mist rising off the water. Those quiet mornings were the perfect reset between filming days. It was the kind of place that instantly resets your soul. Quiet mornings, mist lifting off the river, silence broken only by birds and the occasional crackle of the fireplace. That’s what the PNW does—it balances the wild energy of nature with these calm, grounding moments.
Waterfalls, Moss, and Magic
Oregon was where my connection with the PNW really took root. I filmed two music videos there, and honestly, it felt like the entire state was a natural movie set—towering evergreens, dramatic coastlines, moss-draped forests. Every frame was a gift.
One of those videos, Flowers, was shot at West Union Gardens and Mt. View Orchards in Oregon, with additional scenes at The Berry Farms in Florida. The song is about finding joy in life’s good moments—even when surrounded by thorns. Filming among blossoms in Oregon’s rolling fields brought that message to life.
Between shoots, we based ourselves in Portland. The city has this quirky, creative energy, but within an hour you can be standing in the Columbia River Gorge, surrounded by waterfalls crashing down cliffs and mist rising through lush forests. We stayed in a cabin along the Columbia River, waking up to quiet mornings with mist lifting off the water. It was the perfect reset—a balance of wild nature and grounding stillness.
The waterfalls of Oregon are unforgettable. Some thunder down cliffs with the force of a freight train, while others trickle gracefully like silver ribbons. Each one feels alive. Walking those trails, you begin to realize that water, moss, and mist aren’t just scenery here—they’re part of the rhythm of life.
Walking through these areas, especially around the Columbia River Gorge, I realized waterfalls aren’t just landmarks here—they’re part of the rhythm of life. The rain, the rivers, the moss, the mist—it all cycles together to create landscapes that feel alive.
And then there’s the Hoh Rainforest in Washington. That place blew my mind. The moss was unlike anything I’d seen before, draping trees in thick green coats. Massive firs stood like ancient guardians, and every root, rock, and fallen log was wrapped in ferns. It felt like stepping into a different world—lush, damp, alive with energy.
The Washington Side
If Oregon feels cinematic, Washington is straight-up epic. Heres a photo from our trip to Mt. Rainier.
The Skyline Trail at Mt. Rainier was one of those bucket-list moments. Standing there with the snow-capped peak towering above, wildflower meadows at my feet, and endless vistas stretching to the horizon—it was almost too much to take in. We captured incredible photos there, every frame looking like a postcard. The mountain looms over you, snow-capped and larger than life, while meadows of wildflowers stretch out at your feet. The views don’t even feel real. We took so many photos there, and every single one could’ve been a postcard.
Olympic National Park is something else entirely. It feels like three worlds in one—glacier-capped peaks, lush rainforests, and rugged coastlines. Ruby Beach blew me away. That day it was shrouded in fog, giant sea stacks rising out of the mist like ancient guardians. Photographic spots were everywhere—you could spin in a circle, snap, and frame a masterpiece.
Then there’s Kalaloch Beach. Standing at the edge of the continent, waves pounding the shore, sky shifting colors—it’s humbling. You realize how small you are, and somehow that feels comforting.
Coastlines and Mountains Colliding
One of the most intoxicating things about the PNW is the way coast and mountains collide. In Oregon, cliffs plunge straight into the Pacific, while forested ridges rise just behind you. Salt air mixes with the scent of pine needles—it’s an experience that hits every sense at once.
Mt. Hood, with its perfect symmetrical peak, felt like the state’s watchful guardian. Driving through its foothills, every curve revealed another photo begging to be taken. The weather itself became part of the artistry—one moment golden light, the next rolling fog. That drama keeps you alive, camera ready, and fully present.
Why I Can’t Wait to Go Back
What pulls me back to the PNW is not just the landscapes—it’s the atmosphere, the moodiness, the balance of wild energy and quiet stillness. The Pacific Northwest teaches you presence. It whispers that beauty doesn’t need to be forced—it’s just there, waiting.
I still haven’t seen Samuel H. Boardman, the place that first inspired me to visit. That’s the beauty of the PNW: no matter how much you explore, there’s always more. More waterfalls to chase, more foggy mornings to wake into, more trails that remind you what it means to feel alive.
The Pacific Northwest isn’t just a destination for me—it’s part of me now. And I can’t wait to return, to breathe that misty air again, to stand at the edge of the Pacific and feel small in the best way possible.
Because the Pacific Northwest isn’t just a destination for me—it’s a part of me now.
