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Mountain Muse // Creative Portrait session in Topanga Canyon

by Erin in creative portrait, outdoors

You know how a cartoon characters eyes will pop out of their heads when they see something they think is gorgeous? Heart eyes, little cupids flying around the head, etc. Well this is the effect that Ashley, the creative director, co-owner, and sous chef of Fig and Forage LA has on yours truly. Total girl crush.

The wild thing is that she is not only physically stunning but she is equally lovely & creative & so fun to be around. Here are some of my favorite shots of our time together, all shot on film and processed and scanned by The Find Lab.

I am hoping to start incorporating these experimental elements into more, or maybe all, of my shoots. So if you book a sesh with me and are into the light leaks and double exposures you see going on here, make sure to let me know that you are down to get little WEIRD and we can make some magic together!

Celebrating Spring // Mother & daughter session in Topanga Canyon

by Erin in family, film, outdoors

I was beyond excited for the chance to photograph this lovely mother / daughter duo here in the (finally green! YAY rains!) mountains of Topanga Canyon.  It’s not very often that I get the chance to photograph older kids, even though I love love love this age so much. Such a sweet blend of innocence, silliness, & sass.

We chatted, goofed around, enjoyed the stunning vistas .. and of course, I snapped some sweet photos.

// all images shot on Kodak film and processed by The FIND lab //

Love in the desert // roadtrip to Joshua Tree

by Erin in film, personal, travel

It may sound silly, but Valentine’s Day is my FAVORITE holiday. I am a sucker for love, and even though it is something that should be celebrated every day, I have to admit that having a holiday honoring it is pretty sweet.

This year, my guys and I decided to skip town and camp out in Joshua Tree for a couple of days to celebrate. We hiked, talked for hours around a campfire, stargazed, & did nothing. It was perfect. Here are some of my favorite snaps our time there.

Home & heart // Los Angeles family at home

by Erin in at home, family

This past year just flew by and I wanted to share one of my last and sweetest sessions of 2017! 

First off, how gorgeous is this entire family? Ya, pretty amazing. I know! Well, they are also loads of fun which made spending time with them at their home in Los Angeles such a treat for me. 

On a side note, If you are a podcast lover like I am, I highly suggest checking out the podcast Atomic moms – in which Ellie (the lovely mama in these photos) is the creator and host of!

Rusty // Topanga Canyon family session

by Erin in adventure, family, film

I haven’t had much blog posting time, as I am in the midst of my busiest season, but I had to take a sec to share one of my favorite recent sessions! I became fast friends with mom and dad after I shot their wedding a few years back and, although I have met little Rusty a couple of times, I was just waiting for the moment when I would get to officially photograph them for as a trio! 

Here are some faves from our Topanga Canyon adventure.

The sweetest song // Los Angeles newborn session

by Erin in at home, film, newborn

Spending the morning with this family in their Los Angeles bungalow was a dream. I snapped photos as we oooohed and ahhed over how tiny and perfect their sweet boy was. Getting to watch the love pour out of new parents is such a gift. Here are some of my faves from our time together!

On a side note, the mama is an amaaazing singer/songwriter and I almost fell over when she starting singing to her babe. Here is the link to her site if you want to check her out – http://www.theanna.com/

Simple pleasures // A sister shoot at home in Topanga Canyon

by Erin in Uncategorized

Can ALL of my sessions please include farm animals and golden fields? Please! No but seriously, photographing these sisters at their Topanga Canyon home for the 2nd time was a total dream for me. (See first shoot here) Lately, I am all about life’s simple pleasures and this sesh had me feeling so inspired!

To learn more about of these lovely creatures, check out their blog here.

Films : Fuji 400h, Portra 400, HP5// Developed and scanned by The FIND lab

Sunshine in Seattle // My vacation on film

by Erin in adventure, film, personal, travel

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Seattle for the very first time and it was magic. The city itself was awesome but all of the water and lush greenery is what I live for! We spent a lot of the time outside since it was sunny and warm the entire week – out on the water, blueberry picking, and checking out the various islands. Some of our favorite people live up there (including our god daughters who are in alot of these photos!) so I’d say my MOST favorite moments were spent snuggling them. Oh, and the coffee. That was also really good too.

All images shot on a Canon eos3 with Portra 400 film. Dev/scanned by The FIND lab

A mama with her cubs // Malibu family session

by Erin in adventure, family, film, outdoors

It’s always an honor (and a little nerve wracking if I am being honest!) to photograph a fellow photographer. Especially someone as awesome as Bjorna.

Seeing her in her element, surrounded by her four most gorgeous babies, made my heart glow. It also made me realize that being a mother of 4 (including twins!) ain’t no joke. I raise a glass to you, sweet friend, for being such an inspiring, bad ass mama and for giving me the opportunity to document it!

Shot with a mix ofPortra 400 & Fuji 400 Film // developed & scanned by The Find Lab

Shades of blue // Natural indigo dye workshop with the Dogwood Dyer

by Erin in adventure, film, portrait

I’m not sure if you know this about me, but I am REALLY into crafts and learning the old ways of making things. From weaving, to making pickles, macrame, calligraphy. You name is, I have probably tried it. I’m not very good at any of them, but I sure enjoy the process! haha.

All this being said, when I heard that Liz Spencer, aka The Dogwood Dyer, was going to be in my hood teaching a natural Indigo dye workshop I leaped at the opportunity. She harvested her very own indigo plants and taught us how to prepare and extract the colors. We also learned some cool techniques like Shibori, to create patterns on our fabrics that differ from the usual hippie tie dye look. (which I am also into!) Can you believe that green leaves can make the most insanely gorgeous blues?! Total magic.

I highly recommend keeping up with the Wild Mesa event calendar if you live in the LA area and like these kinds of workshops. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you there at the next one!

All images shot on Portra 400 & developed/scanned by The Find Lab