Erin Tole Photography

2011-01-12T15:07:00.000-08:00

a lot to be thankful for...

2010-11-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

*sigh*
Oh, it's that time of year again in the ol' Pac-N-Dub... No one feels guilty about hanging out indoors, and I have the compulsive need to drink massive quantities of apple cider. Also, I wear stupid socks and mismatched pajama outfits late into the day. So shoot me. I have to say it often strikes me as ironic that the time of year we're supposed to feel most thankful for the little things is frequently one of the toughest times for just about everyone.

In an effort to counteract bah-humbug-edness, I'm going to go off on a tangent here for a minute and say thank you to everyone who has let me have the joy of meeting their families and photographing their lives.
I am thankful for all my clients, of course...But I am especially warmed by families like this one. The network of people branching out from this one little family is part of what makes me love what I do. I don't just meet singular families, but interconnected groups of amazing people. After stumbling on my website a year ago to take their son's newborn photos, Kari and Ehren have been nothing short of fantastic. Through them, I have had the pleasure of taking everything from maternity and newborn photos for their friends, as well as family photos, senior photos, events, even a possible wedding next summer, all from people branching out from this one random seed.

For that, I am thankful :)

Ok...so this next group of images is a little atypical for me, BUT...Ladd wasn't very happy with spending an afternoon with me and my big black box jammed in his face outside in the semi-drizzle. When it was mentioned that the location we were at was very near the family home, we decided to head over to try to get some of the birthday boy in his natural habitat... Me, sans speedlight (DOH!) and rockin' high ISOs...BUT at least we got some real smiles here. The kids ran around crazy and I was reminded again to be thankful for this time with our young kids. There really is very little as amusing :)

...You're just like I thought you'd be...

2010-11-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

::: Miss Blayne :::

2010-10-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

Danny + Julia

2010-10-20T22:32:00.000-07:00

This is kinda overkill.

Ohhhh wellll.....

Enjoy guys, I you

Vroom.

2010-10-05T15:18:00.001-07:00

Kate + Tess

2010-09-29T18:33:00.000-07:00

*cough cough*

In my humble opinion...you can't photograph toddlers and young children by posing them in awkward positions with awkward smiles...Not my cup of tea. I try my hardest to capture kids...especially the vivacious kind...in their element. Doing what they do. A department store with a wrinkled background might help you remember what they looked like.

But I really hope my photos, 10 years from now, will help parents remember who their small children WERE. It goes by so fast. Too fast.

*stepping of combination soap box/high horse now*

Enjoy

Thanks for reading

Taylor + Tobias VS the rainforest

2010-09-20T15:35:00.001-07:00

There's a lake just a little ways from my dad's house. A walk, practically. One day, my dad, his friend, my then-18 month old and I started walking around the lake, not really knowing where we were going. We ended up hiking (if you can call it that) for miles. I was in complete awe that this rainforest existed so close to home. Every square inch of space is alive with vegetation and other fauna I'd rather not think about; but I found every step satisfying. The hollow, dense *thump* of footsteps there. Like being in a padded room. From that first accidental trek, I've had visions of a woman in the clover.

Lucky me, I have a willing model. This was a great way for me to stand outside my own comfort zone, photographically. The light under the canopy is so diffuse that finding it at all was a challenge. As a result, I think the images have an intense, almost creepy feel. But thats ok because it's both intense and creepy in there, in the land of high ISO's, dead flash batteries and no light to reflect. *shiver*

There may or may not have been whiskey involved. And Taylor and Tobias make out like 8th graders around every bend in the path, but that's ok because I call dibs on shooting their inevitable wedding. Hear that? DIBS! Taylor's friend Alessandra Rose Mora did her hair and makeup before leaving Seattle...She's in a band " the kindness kind" and pretty much kicks arse. Thanks :)

At one point, a slug somehow fell IN to my frakkin' pants. Apparently they climb trees, here. That was fun.

The end.

Jordan and Rachel

2010-09-13T23:29:00.000-07:00

taylor taylor anne....

2010-09-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

Alas, male readers (if I even have any) the best of these will never be seen....But, I assure you. They are delicious.

The water wasn't even that cold. :)

there's nothin' sweeter..than summertime.

2010-08-25T13:54:00.001-07:00

It was worth the traffic out of West Linn, the heat, the stickiness...to meet beautiful Bella. I knew the second she woke up from her nap without so much as a whine and gave me what has got to be one of the most gorgeous little grins I've ever seen, that it was gonna be a good one. A REALLY good one. Here she is....

frankie & brynley do portland

2010-08-19T15:31:00.001-07:00

iiiiits Michael!!!

2010-08-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

So...Kate's wedding (my almost sister-in-law)... It's so hard for me to not be a camera-toting shot hog when attending weddings. So I put the camera away for pretty much the whole day. But you can't give me an adorable 2 year old in a tuxedo in field of clover and expect me to not bust it out.

I did ask the lovely bride and groom to kiss for me, the one posed shot I asked of them. What a GOOD wedding guest I am!!! I'm excited to see their photos from the hired help, Jim Semlor.

Meanwhile, here's Michael! (and Angela!)

Family x4

2010-08-16T16:19:00.001-07:00

I was a little overwhelmed at the idea of shooting a family of 16... Four separate families...

But turns out...it was really enjoyable. And I got some really fab french toast out of the deal :)

*notice a theme here, with clients feeding and watering me? sssh... don't tell anyone.

Shannon and Bryan....

2010-08-07T23:05:00.000-07:00

Barn House!

2010-08-05T11:02:00.001-07:00

One sultry July day, Pottery barn and a roadside flea market met on a deserted country road. Each looked the other up and down, longingly, but with some amount of apprehension. When their eyes finally met, they could not resist but to tumble into the clover-filled ditch and make a love child. This was how Barn House was born.

Thanks to Angi and the wonderful Frankie for letting F model in the world's biggest photo op. :)

Barn House!

2010-08-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

words cannot describe.

2010-07-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

I got a call around 11 on Saturday morning.

I've been anxiously awaiting a good friend going into labor (overdue!) and wasn't sure I wanted to book anything when she was on call to be induced. But, I decided that waiting around pacing and praying wasn't doing anyone any good, so when dad said their lovely daughter was 8 days old, I asked if I could get to her as soon as possible... Oh those lovely flexible newborn bones... :) So we agreed on 3PM and I proceeded to dig up my yard.

Not only was this precious little doll tiny and perfect in every way, but her parents totally rock. I ran out of coffee that morning and so Joan made me iced coffee, which I drank two of. We sat in their dining room with my little "outdoors" set up and chatted and waited for baby to sleep. Dad was totally in love with baby, in a way I don't see many fathers with brand-new bundles.

All in all, I can't recall the last time I was so happy with a newborn session.

Thanks so much guys for letting me play with all 6lbs of your new darling.

I'll be back for more iced coffee.

Gram...but a little cleaner this time...

2010-07-22T13:55:00.002-07:00

So, does this little man look familiar? He should! There he is being born, below this post!

Anyway, I got to come back for newborn photos and I *knew* he was going to be adorable...I mean, how many babies can say they were as cute as him after the short but intense ride down the birth canal? Here he is again, looking handsome as ever and just a smidge cleaner :)

A little guys' birthday....

2010-07-14T23:29:00.000-07:00

There are many important events in our lives here as humans on a big floating rock. Some more momentous than others. Just because I am soextraspecial I get to take part in a lot of people's wonderful life moments. I watch them, breathe them...try to capture them as they are. But few things are as intimate and as miraculous as the birth of a child.

It's just the way the world turns, right? Biology and what have you. But no..not really.

With humans...it's different. Sometimes I think we forget when we see a pregnant woman, that HEY...she's making a flippin' KID in there!

At first, there is only a big belly.

and then suddenly there is a little face. A new life. With open eyes and clenched little fists and his own particular baby wail, so thin and sweet and very much his own.

I feel blessed to have taken part in this birth that took place in a north Portland home.

Welcome, little guy.

Zoey...

2010-07-01T16:23:00.001-07:00

I knew right after I walked in and saw her she was a C-section baby. Her perfect little head was...too perfect. Her skin was clear and entirely smooth. Considering my own child had black eyes, a swollen nose, a (sideways!) conehead and more, these babies take on a certain magical quality to me. Can they really be so stinkin' perfect?

Yes..., yes they can. Not only did she behave beautifully, little Z could not have been more gorgeous with that head of dark hair and little cupid's bow lips.

Honestly.

It's not even fair.

A few of my favorites:

Sweet Melia

2010-06-27T22:01:00.001-07:00

This little girl was so sweet... They all are, but boy does getting to them before the 2 week mark make a big difference.

Originally her mom and I had planned to do the "outdoors" set up...But...All my grass pretty much died in the 90 degree car on the way over and daylight was getting scarce. We ended up venturing out into their yard and managed to snag a few good ones before the warm breeze made Melia wake up. I didn't get to pose her how I had imagined out there but she was such a great little model for me indoors so I didn't mind too much :)

Matt & Lisa.....

2010-06-24T23:35:00.001-07:00

I always seem to get the most laid-back brides. I like to think it's because I attract that kind of fabulous person, but in reality, I think I'm just plain ol' lucky. Lisa was a naughty bride and I wasn't entirely aware of my shooting her wedding until the week prior. I'd been to Mcmenamins' Edgefield before, though, and I jumped at the chance to drag a dolled-up couple around the beautiful, picturesque grounds.

Both Lisa and Matt's families as well as all their friends were amazing and fun to be around... full of good humor and with lots of adorable kids!

I loved the simple, earthy vibe this wedding had, and I tried my best to capture it...

Baby Simon

2010-06-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

I can't remember the last time I had a baby over 2 weeks old behave so perfectly. Often I go into sessions with older babies just hoping to get some great photos of them alert and looking at the world. But this time, I had a feeling I should just wait him out...

T & M crew.... :)

2010-06-11T23:50:00.000-07:00

Lots of people say they don't like to be posed. I hear it all the time. This family however, didn't really need to be told what to do at all...their interactions were so full of love for one another and were as genuine as they come. All I had to do was stand back and watch... Although our sesh was rained out (I have bones to pick with this "June-uary" nonsense) I am really in love with a couple of these photos...mainly the top one.

Technically a maternity session, I have a feeling there are very few things this family does that aren't done as a group and this time we spent out on the Columbia was no different. I'm excited for their baby boy who is right around the corner. It's pretty apparent he's destined for cuteness. T has proved herself to be a maker-of-cute-kiddos twice over already so this new bundle is bound to be the same thing...

Stay tuned for that.

PS. Ridiculous amounts of overwhelming newborn cuteness tomorrow.

Is she not like the most beautiful pregnant woman ever?

J & M: Engagement

2010-06-10T21:40:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share. :)

PS: Sunset light = amazing ok? So don't look at me sideways when I suggest we meet at 8 PM!

Lair Wedding!!!

2010-06-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Boy have I been beatin' around this bush....and in this case, the metaphorical bush is the sneak peek of this lovely wedding in Eastern Oregon.... It's been a couple weeks now! Bad, Bad photographer....

But let me tell you, it's hard to look at a thousand plus photos and pick which ones are my favorite. Oh wait, I mean which ones will be the bride's favorites....

Anyhoo, it's hard, folks, OK? Here are some that I enjoy :)

Get this! After doing formal portraits, Erin the most unbride-zilla-y bride ever actually had some down time to sit back and relax. We got really, really lucky with the weather. It was sprinkling for parts, and in some of the photos there is a rain cloud lingering in the distance....

We eventually butted heads, this rain cloud and I....but I like to think I won the battle.

I'm shooting for chronological order here. We'll see how that goes though. Turns out I kind of suck at order in general. My closet is indisputable proof of this.

The men simply could NOT keep from tinkering with the jeep....

NOW... I say this with the utmost warning. I am NOT a videographer. But, as I was standing around the reception, someone came up to me and said "Proud Mary" (By CCR) is Grandpa's favorite song to dance to..." I read this as *hint hint* and so turned on the video...

For you curious photo buffs out there, this was taken wide open at 1.4, 6400 ISO in an almost completely dark room. Thus the crazy grain. My lacking video skillz don't help....Also, I was manually focusing, so the craptastic focusing is not my camera's fault either.

Also, turns out my computer can't handle the HD video from my 5D mk II, so I had to upload them to youtube to even view them... Lame, right? Right. I'll fix that problem soon, but meanwhile.....

Miss Maisie...

2010-05-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I tell myself, "My, what bad luck I'm having with babies!"

But then I have to step back and realize that although there are dream babies, most infants don't enjoy being poked and prodded. I'm lucky to get anything. Ever.

I just feel blessed to be able to get to hold so many new bundles. Even if I get pooped on...oh, lets see...pretty much every newborn session I do.

But see, Maisie was a lady. She only peed on me.

It was all worth it of course.

Brevyn....

2010-05-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

B's mom called me when he was already a week or two old... We had one scheduling conflict after another, and before you know it, he's a month in this world...

Ah well... it happens!

Good thing the kid can't take a bad photo. Check out those lips!

He REALLY didn't want to go to sleep. We tried. And Tried. and TRIED!

But...he's the sort of guy who just wasn't havin' it. Lucky for me I got to chat with his mom, grandma and great grandma.

And yup, there's the stump again. But I got a BUNCH of new stuff and I have a new baby girl (only 6 days old) on Wednesday...So stay tuned!

All in all...what a cute kid. Truly.

Peter's Party: A special guy...

2010-05-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

I never had the joy of meeting Peter. But I do know that it's very apparent that there were a whole lot of people in his short life who loved him very, very much. I took so many photos on this wonderful day in honor of him, that it was hard to pick something to blog about...

All the kids seemed really into the face paint, done by a wonderful clown who had the kids in a near-hypnotized state for a couple hours. I thought, if Peter would have been around for the party, this might have been his favorite part. This, and maybe Curious George who made a guest appearance. But that's a whole new blog post :)

S & D: Professionally trained hams

2010-05-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

I LOVE these kids. Can you imagine, a 2 1/2 year old who takes direction from a photographer?

Most of the time, I feel lucky to even catch a brief moment of eye contact with a toddler, but not these fantastic little models....

Other than Princess Sophia's dislike of dirt, grass, bugs and walking, it was a great session!

Thanks for being good sports, guys :)

sneak peek: sweet baby Kaia

2010-05-08T23:04:00.000-07:00

I've decided that 8 month olds are my new favorite age....They're still cuddly, and yet...they can't run away. A bit different than the snoozing lumps of newborn and crazy 3 year olds I've been shooting lately.

I only wish that the lovely followers of my blog could hear Kaia's daddy singing "Tutti-Frutti" at the top of his lungs for all these photos that she's smiling in... I must admit his heartfelt laugh is pretty hard not to like.

Beautiful family. Thanks again guys. I'll be seeing you soon ;)

Chris & Teddy

2010-05-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

This is hard for me. I've been hoarding these photos, viewing them over and over the last few days.

And now that I have a blog, I have no more excuses not to share them with all the wonderful people who came together to celebrate Chris and Teddy's tying the knot at the windy Oregon coast last weekend.

I guess I worried that there was no way I could possibly capture the depth of feeling we all felt.

Photos of the actual ceremony soon to follow.

Giving one's mother away is enough to make anyone need some bubbly.

The End.

No, not really.

Chris and Teddy and EVERYONE who came...

Thank you for letting me be a part.