Category: adventure

Summer of love // Topanga Canyon family session

by Erin in adventure, family, film

When I heard from Lydia saying she wanted to schedule an all film sesh for her family, I jumped for joy! Anyone who knows me personally or follows me on IG, knows that I am pretty crazy about shooting film – the colors, the nostalgic grain, and the intention that goes into it make my heart go wild. I had a feeling I would fall in love with her and her family pretty quickly, especially since the friend that referred her is one of my favorite clients . And, of course, I did.

On a side not, this lovely mama is also an accomplished writer and has a novel coming out in 2019 called “Lights All Night Long”. I will definitely be snaggin’ myself a copy!

Film (Kodak Portra 400) developed and scanned by The “super awesome” Find Lab

Shiny happy people // Topanga Canyon family session

by Erin in adventure, family, film

Gosh, I don’t think I could possibly love this session more than I do.

Nothing beats Topanga Canyon in the spring with the green lush grass, wildflowers, and perfect 70 degree weather and I am so grateful that this sweet gang was down to adventure to get to one of my favorite spots in the canyon! It warmed my heart to see how much these 4 genuinely enjoy being together.  Also, that evening light was so glorious that I may have actually drooled.

All images shot of Kodak film & developed and scanned by The Find Lab

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.

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

Adventure time // Topanga Canyon family session

by Erin in adventure, at home, family, film, outdoors

A few times a week, I walk my pup by this adorable cottage with a yard sprinkled with toys – a mini house. a red tricycle. I always wondered who lived there and imagined what the family that inhabits such a sweet space would be like. Then I get an email from a mama wanting to set up a sesh after seeing a post on FB. When she described her house, I knew right away that it was my dream family. And they were even better than I imagined!

Rylie – this sweet, curious, and adventurous wild child – is a girl after my own heart and it was a joy following her around as she lead us to some of her favorite spots. All walking distance from home!

Shot on Portra 400 & Ilford HP5 Film // developed & scanned by The Find Lab

Poppy field adventure // Creative portrait session with Sulai

by Erin in adventure, film, outdoors, portrait

After all the buzz about the super bloom here is Southern California, my girl Sulai and I decided we should road trip out to the Poppy reserve to goof around & experience it in person. We marveled, explored, got silly, and of course, took TONS of photos. I really wanted to get experimental and played alot with double exposures, shooting through prisms, and opening the back of my camera to create light leaks and I am soo happy with the results!

California Dreamin’ // Venice Beach Engagment session

by Erin in adventure, at home, film, love

When I found out my buddies, Mike and Nina got engaged, my first thought was that I just HAD to photograph them. They are both so freakin cool and are always inspiring me with their wild adventures. And when they aren’t traveling, they live in this sweet Venice Beach pad, just a block from the boardwalk! My goal was to keep it real and document this rad couple just being themselves. Their babe, Bijoux, also joined us on our sunset adventure.

Shot on Fuji 400h & Tri x 400    //  Film processed by The FIND lab