Blog

Jessamyn // Creative portrait session at home in Topanga Canyon

by Erin in adventure, at home, film, portrait

We are 3 weeks into “social distancing” thanks to Covid 19 & I hope you are all staying healthy, sane, & finding the silver linings wherever possible! It’s such a strange & uncertain time and boy do I feel lucky that my husband continues to have work, even though my photo sessions have all been on pause for the unforeseeable future.

I miss taking photos of people so much. But in the stillness, I have been feeling waves of immense gratitude (intermingled with worry & anxiety about the state of the world!) that I have a job that I actually miss. That I get to live in a place where I am able to go outside and lay in the grass.

I thought now was the perfect time to share this session of the one & only, Jessamyn, that I shot back in February in Topanga Canyon. It embodies what I have been really trying to focus on during these past weeks at home – to slow down, be gentle with myself, & to find joy in the small things.

young woman playfully peeking around a doorway
young woman spinning in house playfully
young free spirited woman sitting in a painted doorway
reaching hands in nature
woman playfully walking in a dry creek
woman looking out a glass window into nature
portrait of a young woman leaning on knee
woman sitting cross legged under a tree and looking into a vintage camera
woman in nature tipping to the side childlike
young woman laying in clovers happily
young woman in the sunshine with trees in the background
young woman smelling flowers and drinking tea
double exposure of young woman in nature
young woman smiling outdoors with sweetgrass in her mounth
young woman laying in clovers and stretching playfully
young woman behind plants looking pensivly at camera

All photos shot on Kodak film & processed/scanned by The Find Lab

Archie // Portland family session

by Erin in adventure, at home, family

Me and this lovely mama go back 20 years and I was SO happy to be able to reconnect in person this summer on my west coast road trip. We have been in touch over the years through the good ol’ Instagram where I have gotten to drool over her beautiful desserts and creative eye, giggle at her IG stories, & watch her grow a family and move across the country – but getting to hang in person…what a DREAM. And don’t even get me started on Archie. (Is he not the cutest creature you’ve ever seen!?)

We started our time together at their sweet home in one of my favorite cities, Portland, and adventured out for some sunset light and blueberry picking. Here are some of my favorites from that day.

See more “Archie // Portland family session” →

Best of 2019!

by Erin in adventure, at home, creative portrait, family, film, love, portrait, pregnancy

Hi friends & HAPPY 2020! After a wildly busy season of photo shoots & a restorative holiday (in which I mainly spent eating & laughing with loved ones! is there anything better? ha!), I’m feeling so ready to get back to what I love most – making photo magic with YOU!

I couldn’t think of a better way to start of the new year than by sharing some of my favorites from the last. I loved taking a trip down memory lane and, mainly, it just made me feel immense gratitude for all of you out there that chose me to freeze time for you over this past year. If that’s you, THANK YOU! I know there are a bazillion photogs out there and I am really so so honored.

Lots of love & cheers to this year being the best one yet. xx

Los Angeles family photography on film : family running and playing in yard at home
creative black and white film photo of a woman in the hills of Topanga canyon, California
Venice California film photography : playful smiling woman holding a little red heart
See more “Best of 2019!” →

A little slice of heaven // Topanga Canyon family session

by Erin in adventure, at home, film

My sweet friends are having another baby (YAAY!!) & moving to Australia (WAHHH!) so we knew that our photo sesh had to take place in their lovely little cabin before it officially sold. After playing at home, we adventured down to visit and feed Giraffe, their beloved horse – like they so often do.

‘Twas bittersweet, for sure, but I am certain that the next chapter will be even more magical and love-filled that this one. And I can’t wait to visit them in Australia! Here are some favorites from our afternoon together.

See more “A little slice of heaven // Topanga Canyon family session” →

Alix of Yoku Jewel // Creative portrait session in Topanga Canyon

by Erin in adventure, film, portrait

When you meet Alix of Yoku Jewel, you can just feel the magic radiating from her. She is a craftswoman that makes the most beautiful handmade jewelry, as well as an energy healer, & I feel super honored that I got to make these images with her.

Since this shoot, I’ve received a Reiki healing session that left me feeling so light & peaceful and also took a workshop to learn how to make my own earrings! I seriously can’t get enough of this lovely lady. You can check out her offerings here.

See more “Alix of Yoku Jewel // Creative portrait session in Topanga Canyon” →

Ollie & Juno // Los Angeles Family session

by Erin in family, film

Hi friends & thanks for popping by!

I’m excited to share some photos today of a family that I just adore. This year, we decided to shoot on the west side of LA in the beautiful Pacific Palasades – where the grass was green, the weather was PERFECT, & where these precious sisters could run free & explore.

Here are some personal faves, all shot on film!

See more “Ollie & Juno // Los Angeles Family session” →

Beautiful Chaos // Ventura family session

by Erin in at home, family, film

I befriended Po on social media in a film photography group a while back and was so so honored when she reached out to schedule a family session with me! She is an awesome film photographer herself so I’ll admit that was a bit nervous going into the shoot – but the moment we hugged and I met her gang, it felt like home.

I am beyond grateful for our time together. The beauty, chaos, silliness, & above all, the abundance of love was really just SO MUCH fun & reminded me a lot of my own time growing up. To top it all off, Po fed me dinner, made home made cookie ice cream sandwiches, & then held a living room dance party in my honor that night after the shoot. #bestJobEver

Film developed & scanned by The Find Lab

You know the feeling? // Creative portrait session in Topanga Canyon

by Erin in adventure, creative portrait, film

I still remember how I felt the first time I met Sulai. Like I just HAD to know her & like maybe I’ve already known her for lifetimes. You know the feeling? I am forever grateful to her for inspiring me to live outside of the lines & for being one of my favorite subject to photograph year after year.

She has recently moved back to the canyon so we decided to shoot in and around her new pad – sweetly named, the Sugar shack.

Make sure to hop on over and check out all Sulai’s creations, including naturally dyed fiber art, experimental films, & paintings here! —> http://sulailopez.com/

Just down the road // Topanga Canyon family session

by Erin in adventure, family, film

Photographing fellow Topanga canyon dwellers is always extra special for me. Perhaps it’s because they are just as in love with this place as I am or maybe it’s just that they are usually extra down for an adventure!

On this day, I met up with this lovely trio as the sun was getting low in the sky & walked just down the road from their home to snap these photos. We took the same route that they walk so often to get to this magical location. Here are some of my faves!

Film developed & scanned by The Find Lab