Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Howdy, I'm Raina. I'm a Portland, OR-based documentary-style wedding photographer dedicated to finding the nostalgia in the now. My focus is artful imagery, where every snapshot serves as both a captured memory and a treasured heirloom. I feel privileged to share my love for digital and film photography with clients both throughout the US and internationally!
Weddings are some of my favorite events to photograph. The constant movement and energy of the day mean that there is always something unique to document.
I understand that being in front of the camera can be a little overwhelming. The photography experience is just as much about making memories as it is taking photos. My goal, always, is to create a fun and comfortable atmosphere during my sessions to ensure that you and your loved ones won't even notice the camera click!
All four of my wedding packages include film photography in tandem with digital. Film photography is the backbone of my style of documentation. While it's been a hobby format for years, analog photography has earned a spot in my day-to-day rotation and now significantly impacts my wedding galleries.
Film photography is for the vinyl lovers, the 'made my own brew' enthusiasts, and the savorers of life! Analog has a feeling that's hard to capture on modern digital cameras. Because each roll is 36 images, it's a format that forces us to slow down and see things a bit clearer. Often, the moments I capture on film are my favorite from an entire gallery. I specifically include 35mm format but offer 120 (medium format) and polaroids as add-ons to any package.
Flexibility is the key! I'm always open to discussing customization with wedding day coverage. Your day should be documented how you want it to be.
I like to meet either in person or virtually to discuss your wedding plans and craft the perfect photography package for you. Whether you're looking for three-hour coverage of your elopement or a three-day photography experience, there's coverage for you. Your finished gallery will showcase diverse imagery of film and digital photos filled with all the joyful, busy, calm, and warm moments that weddings bring. One of my favorite little perks is pre-built social media carousels, making sharing your wedding memories with loved ones near and far stress-free.
For artful and timeless wedding documentation, I'm your guy. Thanks for taking a peek!
LGBTQ+-owned and Woman-owned Business
+9 years in business
Prices & packages
Couples usually spend $3,650
Looking for more pricing details?
Reach out to get a customized quote from this photographer.
Details
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Photo Shoot Types
Bridal Portraits
Day After Session
Engagement
Photo & Video
Digital Files
Film Photography
Photo
Second Shooter Available
Social Media Sharing
Photo & Video Styles
Artistic
Classic
Documentary
Lifestyle
Modern
Vintage
Wedding Activities
Getting Engaged
Rehearsals & Parties
After Party
Wedding
After Party
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Raina Bowers
Owner / Photographer
I was raised by an art teacher mother, a movie-obsessed father, and siblings who always joined me in my world of make-believe. I grew up performing music, studying theatre, and painting my heart out. It’s hard to sum up how special my life has felt, which is why I let photographs do the talking for me.
Currently relocating to rainy and radiant Portland, OR - I travel often, shoot always, and sleep never.
Availability
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.0
17 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Raina is highly praised by multiple reviewers for her exceptional photography skills, professionalism, and ability to make couples feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera. Reviewers appreciated her capturing candid moments, providing valuable advice, and delivering both digital and film photos of high quality. They also commended her adaptability, attention to client uniqueness and needs, and dedication to exploring and evolving her artistic style. Raina's ability to create artistic, meaningful, and personalized photos for weddings and various other occasions has earned her repeat clients and high recommendations.
Review photos
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Katelyn D
5.0
2/02/2025
Raina did a phenomenal job capturing all the big and small moments of our wedding day! We loved looking through the full gallery and are so happy with the quality of digital and film photos we have. Their communication was great and we felt like we could trust them fully with the vision.
Bri P
5.0
5/28/2024
Raina is the absolute BEST! We met her when she photographed our good friends' wedding. Made the experience so much fun and so easy.
We then hired her for our engagement shoot & wedding - it was the best experience! I'm not one who feels comfortable in front of a camera, but she made the experience of both our engagement shoot & wedding SO much fun! She captured every moment we wanted and then some. Can't recommend her enough!!
Any questions?
Tiana G
5.0
12/28/2023
As someone who values authenticity in photos, I cannot recommend Raina enough! There's something so special about pictures that accurately reflect your day/event/occasion, and she delivers every single time. Not only does she capitalize on candid moments, but she is an expert at helping you feel comfortable. She did our engagement photos and certainly helped my fiancé and I feel good about being in front of a camera. Book her as soon as you can!!
Cassidy G
5.0
12/14/2023
Raina has captured the most precious moments from some of the most important days of mine and my Husband’s relationship! From our Engagement photos to our Wedding! To a soon to be maternity shoot! Raina helped us not feel so awkward in front of the camera while capturing our unique personalities in each and every photo! Raina is truly a creative genius and
They truly put their entire heart in all of their shoots, I recommend Raina to everyone!
Mollie H
5.0
12/08/2023
We worked with Raina for our Engagement and Wedding and she gifted us the ability to travel back in time through her photos . My husband and I are both a little camera shy and not the biggest fans of posed photos, but Raina has a magic way of making you forget the camera is there. We look like ourselves in her photos and that makes it so easy to feel like we are back in the moment. We had an 40 person backyard wedding and our only request was that the photos be mostly candid, with a few posed family photos, and Raina exceeded our expectations. She was also very understanding of some difficult family dynamics I had worries about and handled it all so professionally to ensure we got beautiful pictures.
It is clear that Raina takes great pride in her work, through her attitude, earnest listening and professionalism. Her contracts were simple to follow, but detailed enough that we went into the sessions clear on what we were receiving and all was very fair and worth every penny. It was easy to communicate via email, over the phone and in person.
It is also clear that Raina is dedicated to exploring and evolving her artistic style and technique. When you get photos from her, you get memories, but you also get beautiful and skillful art for your home, with you and your loved ones as the focus. There is no better way to bring some magic to your photo albums and homes.
My husband and I are now working to grow our family and I can’t wait to hire Raina for maternity and family photo shoots. There is no one you can trust more with capturing life’s milestones!
response12/12/2023
Crying over here, sheeeeeesh! Thank you so much for the kind words, I couldn't be more pro...
ud to have you as a client and friend. So honored!!
McKenna A
5.0
12/07/2023
Raina did our engagement photos and gave us the vision we were exactly looking for! We loved having the option of adding some film on to our digital photos. Raina made us feel so comfortable and I can’t wait to have future photos done :)
Alexa W
5.0
12/07/2023
Raina did an amazing job documenting our wedding last May. From the initial meetings to the day-of execution, we felt like she made our vision and values top priority. Not only did Raina capture the vibes, movement, and spirit of our day, but they also made more formal family photos feel easy and natural! I highly recommend Raina's eye for meaningful, silly, and sacred moments throughout the wedding day. We have not stopped looking at our gallery, and I can't wait to cherish it for years to come.
response12/12/2023
Aww so thankful for you and Michael, I had the BEST time documenting your wedding. Your fa...
mily and friends were such a joy and I'll never get over a stunning Portland wedding such as yours. Thank you for the kind words!
Sydney D
5.0
12/07/2023
Recommending Raina is understatement - I highly, HIGLY suggest Raina for your engagement and wedding photo needs. Not only did we receive endless compliments on both our engagement and wedding photos, but I continuously go back and look at them because I’m still obsessed with them. She made us and everyone in our wedding party feel super comfortable during the entire experience and I never felt like I was being posed in a way that wasn’t “me”. She was incredibly receptive to all of our wants and feedback and was really able to capture our vibe. You’re missing out if you don’t hire her!
response12/12/2023
I'm sure it's no secret to you that your wedding was one of my favorite's to date. I'll al...
ways be grateful that ya'll trusted my perspective and invested in film photography. Your documentary wedding photography set the tone for my 2023 weddings for sure! Thank you for the kind words!
Molly M
5.0
12/07/2023
I’m writing this review a few years from when Raina took my husband and I’s wedding photos and I still cherish and love them as much as the first day I saw them. They are all over our walls and I look through them on my phone frequently. Raina was not only professional and friendly - Raina was and is wonderfully talented. We felt completely at ease and comfortable during our session which is a huge feat as we are two people who do not consider ourselves photogenic - quite camera shy for the most part. Raina was so helpful with giving posing cues which allowed for our natural chemistry and movement to start flowing. I couldn’t have asked for a better photographer and couldn’t have dreamed up more beautiful photos.
Bailey B
5.0
12/07/2023
Raina is just an absolute gem. In every single way! Not only do they take the most gorgeous photos that capture you in the best way, but they make you feel so comfy in a situation where many feel uncomfy. Just an absolute joy to be near and they make it so easy to smile and laugh big. I could not recommend enough that you get your photos done by Raina.
Bailey N
5.0
12/07/2023
Raina did our engagement and wedding photos and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Raina’s viewpoint and style make for photos that feel authentic, artistic, and unique. It’s a real talent, capturing the best moments while making subjects feel so seen and at ease. Rainas got it all. If you want photos that are truly works of art, choose Raina!!
Robyn E
5.0
12/07/2023
Raina is not only an absolute pro but also seamlessly fit right into our very intimate wedding. Her photos of our wedding were absolutely dreamy and entirely right on the vibe we had wanted. She’s flexible and easy to get ahold of. We love her!
Mac B
5.0
12/07/2023
Raina perfectly executed our dream neighborhood engagement shoot. If you’re looking for that style, there is no one better so don’t bother trying to find someone else!
Tristan B
5.0
12/07/2023
Raina has been my family photographer since 2016. She has done our family photos, engagement photos, wedding photos, my best friend's wedding photos, my son's 1 year photos, and my sister in law's newborn photos. While her Forte is weddings and engagement, this review is about her adaptability, her awareness of client uniqueness and needs, commitment to her clients, and consistency and quality. Her work speaks for itself, but her repeat and lifelong clients are proof that she and her work are golden. You can't go wrong with Raina. From Rockstars to suburban families, she can make your photography dreams come true!
Sarah B
5.0
12/07/2023
Made us feel so comfortable and totally got our vision for how we wanted to look am back on our day! Also so fun to see how good she was with film and how magical some of those shots turned out! I can’t recommend her enough and will use her again in the future for other occasions
Taiylor S
5.0
12/06/2023
Raina was the absolute best photographer and human we could’ve asked for! We were visiting California from Florida and wanted to do a couples shoot that was organic and fun! We actually got engaged the day before our shoot and Raina was so amazing about slightly altering the inspo to fit the engagement!! We did an hour long shoot and we received so many shots that I know we will keep and treasure forever! Raina truly captured us as people and a couple and let our personalities, goofiness, and love shine through!
response12/06/2023
I was sooo excited to document this milestone with you and it was truly such an incredible...
afternoon. I loved that you had a vision and an energy entering our shoot, it made for incredible fun. congratulations again!
Brittney O
5.0
12/06/2023
Raina shot our intimate backyard wedding and the photos did NOT disappoint.
Raina is great about capturing the moments most important to YOU. I’ve used Raina for all kinds of photography and would use her a million times more. I instantly felt comfortable which does come through in the photos. If you need help with posing, Raina has you covered. Have a furry friend you want included, Raina has you covered. Raina’s skills are incredibly versatile and customized to clients needs/wants.
response12/06/2023
Brittney I will always cherish the many milestones I've had the honor of documenting for y...
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Raina Virginia Photography
Raina Bowers
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Owner / Photographer
Typically responds within 24h
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